Mid-America Organic Association Conference 2016

As a result of growing interest, the Missouri Organic Association Conference has evolved into Mid-America Organic Association Conference. This year we will be welcoming participants from eight states: Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas and maybe even more!

MOA’s remains unchanged: they aspire to provide organic farms with the necessary tools to be successful businesses, while educating the general public about the connection local farms and healthy communities, in a physical, environmental and economic sense.

The Mid American Organic Conference 2016 will be held between February 4^th and 6^th, at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield MO.

For the 7^th edition, they will be providing a broad spectrum of lectures, hands-on workshops, consumer education classes and networking opportunities.

The topics will include: Grain production, Livestock production, Commercial Vegetable production, High-tunnel small fruits and vegetable production, Sustainable living skills, Culinary and medicinal plants, and a whole lot more!

Keynote speakers this year are Dr. Arden Anderson, DO who will be presenting on “Healthy Soils, Healthy Bodies,” and Dr. John Ikerd who will be presenting on “Healthy Soils, Healthy Economies, Healthy Communities.” 

Another highlight for this year is the workshop conducted by Botanical Explorer, Joseph Simcox on “Raising Sexy, Exotic Crops for Fun and Profit”. He will be emphasizing plant selections suitable for farmers in Missouri and surrounding states and advising on propagation material and sources.

The “Top Chef competition”, featuring 6 of the premier chefs from St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia, scheduled for Friday, February the 6^th, is by now a tradition of the MOA Conference.

On Saturday, February 6, the MOA will organize a special networking event, connecting organic farmers/producers with buyers and marketing managers from regional and national food stores, chefs, food distributors, etc.

One of the surprises they prepared for this year is the “Consumer Health Education Seminary”, scheduled for Saturday, February 6^th and open to the general public. The discussion will focus on organic foods and their connection to a healthy diet and balanced nutrition. The session will be presented by dietitians and medical physicians and will include definitions and discussion regarding “health food terminology”.  Participants will learn about the difference between organic, non-GMO, natural foods, free range, cage free, etc.

The full 3-day MOA 2016 Annual Conference agendas are available for viewing at:

 http://www.moaconference.org. 

The conference price is $175 for all three days and a single day pass is $75. An Early Bird Special discount is available until January 15^th, which includes a Buy 1 registration at full price, Get the 2^nd registration at ½ price.  

To register, please follow the instructions on their website.                                           

Hotel reservations are available at a special MOA Conference block price of $84 (+ tax) per night at The University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield, MO. Please make sure to mention the MOA conference block to get this special hotel lodging price.