Campti Field of Dreams, Inc. and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will host, Back To Your Roots 2018, a Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Thursday, May 17 to Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Northwestern State University, Russell Hall.

Back To Your Roots 2018 is a conference designed to empower the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and value-added producers, with environmentally friendly tools and techniques, that produce more income. The conference features three internationally renowned speakers: Dr. Chuck Fluharty, President and CEO of the Rural Policy Research Institute (5/17), JM Fortier, Farmer and Author, The Market Gardener (5/18), and Joel Salatin, 3rd Generation Farmer and Author of several books including, “You Can Farm” (5/19).

The conference will begin on Thursday afternoon at the bicentennial farm, Oakland Plantation, followed by a welcome reception at the National Center for Preservation, Technology, and Training. The event will then move to Northwestern State University Russell Hall. Friday will feature a 1-day Master Class by JM Fortier, where he will share his techniques used to generate $150,000 per year on an acre and a half in vegetable production. Saturday will feature a 1-day Master Class with Joel Salatin where he will discuss in detail how his iconic farm Polyface works and speak in depth about access to land, finances, marketing, staff, partnerships, fertility management, water management, grazing plans, fencing, and stacking. “Our goal is to provide participants with financially lucrative models that are replicable and scalable as we work toward rebuilding our local food system,” stated Donna Isaacs, Campti Field of Dreams Executive Director. The event will feature other federal, state and local partners and technical experts from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the LSU AgCenter. Optional events include a Farm-To-Table dinner with Chef Desi Bourgeois and a trip to Landry Vineyards for a tour, wine tasting and dinner.

Back To Your Roots, 2018 is free and open to the public but registration is required as seating is limited. For more information, please visit camptifieldofdreams.org or call 318-521-4998.

Campti Field of Dreams is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life in rural communities.

Donna L. A. Isaacs, LEED AP
Mobile: 318-521-4998