10th Annual Indigenous Farming Conference Maplelag Resort March 4-7, 2013

The Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference returns for its 10th year! It is happening right here in Callaway, Minnesota hosted by the White Earth Land Recovery Project. Come join us and learn about a wide array of topics such as; winter greenhouse construction, goat milk production, seed sovereignty, high tunnels, compost systems, plant breeding, sustainable food production, community food systems design, direct market training, tribal food policy, environmental justice, farm to school programs, native agriculture and much more! Featured workshop topics will include; development of an indigenous seed library, salve making, and seed saving techniques. Our wishes are always to convene the Anishinaabeg, our neighbors and relatives to restore the plants and foods given to us by the Creator. We acknowledge that we are the most northern corn producers in the world. Our northern tribes have cultivated our flint corn for over 2,500 years. We recall and remember this history, continue to practice and show the new generation. We are interested in restoring the agro-biodiversity of our land. We are interested in becoming better gardeners, harvesters and those who restore soil and air, not destroy it.

There are many very committed and amazing people coming to speak. This years conference will feature local, regional, and international speakers. Here are a few selected bios; Rowen White, is a passionate seed saver. She is from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne, and curates an extensive collection of rare northeast native seeds. She is the co-founder of the Sierra Seed Cooperative, a local community seed organization focusing on local seed production and education, located in California. Sierra Seeds is building a rare and diverse seed collection, educating members about the practice of seed-saving, and growing a community of caring farmers and seed stewards. She is coming to teach seed saving techniques and how to build seed-saving cooperatives and protect against seed patents.. Erika Allen, daughter of Will Allen (who started Growing Power, an urban agriculture organization that brings fresh farm food to Milwaukee) will be our Keynote Speaker talking about her sustainable urban farm operation in Chicago. Tracy Peterson is the Associate Director of Multi-Ethnic Student Program at the University of Minnesota Morris and will talk about the American Indian garden project happening on the Morris campus. Scott Shoemaker is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in American Studies with a focus in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. He will be presenting the history of the native seed collection at the Ethnobotany Project at the Science Museum of Minnesota. He will discuss the subject and importance of Ethnobotany. Tatanka Wakpala Model Sustainable Community is a project whose foremost goal is to demonstrate how small, self-sustained, family oriented communities can flourish in today's consumerist society. They practice and teach a model of low cost, easily constructed, environmentally friendly community that can provide new opportunities for Native people to thrive while continuing their ancestors teachings on how to live in harmony with Unci Maka (Mother Earth). Over twenty-five presenters are coming as well as herbalists, gardeners, horticulturists, students and farmers from all four directions to share the knowledge of planting and harvesting. Come hear how indigenous nations are restoring traditional foods and working towards sustainable communities and network with neighboring tribal nations and get information to further develop your own community programs. Representatives from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Standing Rock Sioux, and Tesuque Pueblo are coming to share their knowledge with communities of the Great Lakes area. Please bring your seeds and your stories for barter and seed swap sessions! For registration and information, contact; weseedlibrary@gmail.com or call; 218-3752600 Conference lodging; Maplelag Resort 1-800-654-7711 www.maplelag.com