Noted Labor Leader, Authors, Scientists and Activists to Speak at Conference on Fair, Organic Food System and a Healthy Environment

Conference on April 3-4, 2009 in Carrboro, NC will convene a range of scientists, activists, and authors from around the country to discuss the impact of pesticide use on communities, children, agricultural workers, the food supply and environment and the viability of green, fair and local-based practices that support healthy land, air, water and food.

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National, state and Triangle-based environmental, health, farm and labor groups are teaming up for Bridge to an Organic Future: Opportunities for health and the environment, the 27th National Pesticide Forum, April 3-4, 2009 at the Century Center, Carrboro, NC. The Forum sessions will cover a range of issues affecting NC and the nation including: pesticides and public health; organic agriculture; domestic fair trade; pesticide policy; lawns and landscapes; schools and daycare; water contamination; and more. The conference is convened by Beyond Pesticides (Washington, DC) and Toxic Free North Carolina (Raleigh), and co-sponsored by Carolina Farm Stewardship, Haw River Assembly, North Carolina Coastal Federation, Piedmont Environmental Alliance and Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA.

Keynote speakers include: Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, and author of many books including Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow; Baldemar Velasquez, founder and president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), AFL-CIO; and, Philip and Alice Shabecoff, authors of the new book Poisoned Profits: The toxic assault on our children. See www.beyondpesticides.org/forum for a complete list of speakers with bios.

To kick off the conference, participants will visit with migrant farmworkers at a labor camp at noon on Friday, April 3, meeting in the lobby of the Century Center in Carrboro, NC. Philip and Alice Shabecoff will speak Friday evening and Mr. Velasquez will address the conference at 12:30pm on Saturday. A reception and keynote talk by Jim Hightower will be held on Saturday night.

WHAT: Bridge to an Organic Future: Opportunities for health and the environment

WHEN: April 3-4, 2009 (tour begins at 12:00pm, program begins at 6:00pm)

WHERE: Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC

WHO: Open to the public, discount for pre-registration: www.beyondpesticides.org/forum

For a press pass to the Forum, contact John Kepner, 202-543-5450.

SOURCE Beyond Pesticides

RELATED LINKS
http://www.beyondpesticides.org