Schedule

Opening Keynote

9:00 am - 10:15 am

David Montgomery and Anne Bilké

The Power of Organic: Soil Health, Your Health

Back by popular demand, award winning author and professor of geology, David Montgomery will share insights from his new book, The Hidden Half of Nature: the Microbial Roots of Life and Health, co-written with biologist Anne Biklé. Drawing on revolutionary, leading-edge science, history, and their personal healing journey, they will discuss the astonishing power microbes have to help us, by healing the soil that feeds us.

Early Morning Sessions

10:30 am - 11:35 am

St. Patrick Room

Straw Bale in the City and Permablitz Too

Already enjoying the benefits of eating organic food and curious about other aspects of a more sustainable lifestyle? From ‘permablitz”’ (where people work together to create environmentally friendly spaces to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables for themselves) to alternative methods of housing design, this session will explore some of the many opportunities.

Ballroom

Organic Food and Children’s Health

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “There is a growing body of literature that suggests pesticides may induce chronic health complications in children, including neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems, birth defects, asthma, and cancer.” This session will discuss recent research on the impact that pesticides have on children, and what every parent needs to know about conventional versus organic food.

Terrace Room

Food With Flavour

Once you’ve savoured the delights of a ripe heritage tomato, you know how amazing food can be. But luscious organic food offers more than a taste sensation, including the opportunity to grow some of your own. This session will explore the role organic food plays in promoting a healthy lifestyle, body, mind and spirit.

Late Morning Sessions

11:45 am - 12:50 pm

St. Patrick Room

The Future of Food

Agriculture is at a crucial point, economically and ecologically. Do we continue to subsidize a system that relies on toxic chemicals and pays truckers more than growers? Or do we develop alternatives that give local farmers an economically viable business and give consumers access to affordable, fresh and local organic foods? This session looks at how we can promote diversity in our fields, keep more dollars on the farm, protect our bees and butterflies, and keep our food healthy.

Ballroom

Organic and the Media:

Searching for Truth

Struggling with how to sort food fact from fiction? Drawing on insights from a seasoned journalist, a new report, ‘Spinning Food’, as well as a rare inside look at Monsanto’s efforts to reach consumers, this session will examine the methods being used to shape public opinion about our food— and what we can do to ensure we hear the real story.

Terrace Room

Buyer Beware!

Every day, scientists come up with new and engaging foods and personal care products to entice us. But many of these may contain ingredients that are unhealthy for us and the environment, especially biosynthetics and nanotechnology, which could radically impact our food system. This session looks at some of the threats slipping onto our shelves and how buying organic can make a difference to us, as consumers.

Afternoon Sessions

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

St. Patrick Room

Organic Wine, Beer and Spirits

How are organic wine, beer and gin different from those produced conventionally? Can they compete? Are they better? Hear from three successful producers about how organic beverages are changing the game for consumers— and the industry— in terms of quality, health and the environment.

Ballroom

The GMO Inquiry

It’s been 20 years since the Canadian government approved the first genetically modified foods and crops, but critical questions about the impact on our health, the environment, and our economy remain. As part of its comprehensive investigation of these 20 years, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) published six reports that take a hard look at the these questions. This session will review the results and the real risks GMOs pose for Canadians.

Terrace Room

Nourishing Children:

Body, Mind and Spirit

Childhood is fleeting and yet the impact of our early years is huge. From school lunches to outdoor activities, how do we nourish and nurture children? This session will share tips to help you up your lunchbox game, the benefits of outdoor kindergarten, and a new approach called, “Changing the Menu” that advocates a new national school lunch plan. Make 2016 the year of the lunchbox breakthrough!

Closing Session

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Farmers Speak:

What is our farming future?

Declining farmland viability and aging farmers are just some of the challenges facing the farming sector. All of those on the panel believe we can and must make changes if organic farming is to continue to grow and thrive in Canada. In this session, these three activist farmers will share ideas and insights about where we go from here when it comes to making organic food more widely available. Also, importantly, what role do we as consumers play in the future of our food system. Be inspired by those who continue to commit to farming in a way that nurtures our health, our future and our planet.