Recap From The 2019 Tilth Conference In Yakima, WA

We had the tremendous opportunity to attend the Tilth Conference in Yakima, WA. The conference was a great chance to talk with Farmers, professionals, researchers, and educators in the food industry. 

A notable moment from the conference was getting to see the keynote speaker Javier Zamora of JSM Organics. JSM Organics is a certified organic Farm that was founded on the idea that food can be grown without harmful synthetic products and pesticides. Founder JavierZamora discussed the importance of making connections within the farming community. Zamora shared his personal farming story and how he wants to make farming a viable job for his workers. The speech focused on ways you can diversify your Farm to ensure viability; he encouraged small Farms (in the audience) to keep going! 

At the conference, we also attended Valerie Segrest's talk. Valerie Segrest is the author of Feeding the People, Feeding the Spirit: Revitalizing Northwest Coastal Indian Food Culture; she is also the coordinator of Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project. The organization focuses on promoting a return to traditional foods and farming practices. During her session, Valerie Segrest discussed how the organization is helping connect students to heritage foods and plant medicine.   

The conference wasn’t all sitting and listening---there was a farm Walk at Gilbert Orchards. Gilbert Orchards is a fifth generation business that grows a variety of stone and pome fruit. It was a great chance to learn about the history of Gilbert Orchards, their fertility management, harvesting techniques and one-Farm food safety plan.  

The Tilth Conference was three full days of exciting seminars, keynote speeches and social events! We love being in the midst of community building; our goal is to meet as many Farmers as we can, to connect and hopefully help their Farm be successful!