ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota farmer and author Jim VanDerPol will read from his new book, Conversations with the Land, this Friday evening, January 13, at the River’s Edge Convention Center (formerly the St. Cloud Civic Center) in downtown St. Cloud. The book reading begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The event is part of the Minnesota Organic Conference.
VanDerPol and his family operate a diversified crop and livestock farm near Kerkhoven, Minnesota and market their farm’s pork products under the Pastures A Plenty brand.
VanDerPol says that while he yearns to return to the agriculture culture of the 1950s and 60s, he wants to do more than just lament about how small diversified farms have been replaced by larger operations. In Conversations with the Land, he offers his vision for what each of us can do make sure agriculture practices are good for the environment, the people who live within it, and even the nation as a whole. VanDerPol’s writing has appeared in periodicals including Graze magazine, Farming magazine, and the Progressive Populist. Conversations with the Land is published by No Bull Press.
The Minnesota Organic Conference runs from Friday morning, January 13, to Saturday afternoon, January 14, at the River’s Edge Convention Center. This farmer-focused event offers educational sessions about organic topics including soil health, weed management, grain and vegetable production, dairy farming, marketing, and regulatory issues, as well as a 75-vendor trade show. Organizers expect 400-500 people to attend. The conference schedule, costs, and registration information are available at www.mda.state.mn.us/organic or by calling 651-201-6012.
