George Naylor, an organic and non-GMO farmer of rural Churdan and former president of the National Family Farm Coalition, will be part of a panel discussion on the future of sustainable agriculture at the annual meeting of the Sierra Club’s Iowa chapter Saturday, June 23.
Recognizing the common goals of farmers and environmentalists as well as the connection between agriculture and the environment will be the focus of the meeting.
On the panel with Naylor will be Fred Kirschenmann, distinguished fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture; Ben Lilliston, director of rural strategies and climate change at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; and Wendy Johnson, organic farmer at Joia Food Farm near Charles City. The meeting will be held at the farm of Paul Willis, founder of Niman Ranch Pork in Thornton.
Audience participation and perspectives will add to the discussion as attendees look at the question: How do we create a sustain able agriculture future with policies that are a win-win for farmers, taxpayers, and the environment?
“Agriculture is hugely important to Iowa. Farmers and their families have been the backbone of rural communities for generations, ensuring a connection between people and the land. Farmers also have always been on the first line of defense for the resources nature has given us,” a Sierra Club press release states. “But much has changed in agriculture over recent years and more changes in the future are inevitable. The Sierra Club understands the need to listen to farmers and rural residents as we investigate policies that support all our farmers, keeping them on their farms and in their communities, and that protect our natural resources at the same time.”
Persons interested in attending he meeting should visit https://www.sierraclub.org/iowa as soon as possible.
