Conference tackles Tasmania’s sustainable future

Tasmania’s reputation as the food bowl of Australia continues to grow, as farmers markets, niche restaurants
offering local produce and a focus on food miles becomes more important than ever.

With Tasmanian consumers now demanding local produce all year round, this and other important issues
affecting the State’s food industry will be hot ticket items at the upcoming Cross-Pollinate Sustainable Agriculture
Conference in Ulverstone in July.

Environment Tasmania campaigner Lani Evans said more than 200 local, national and international speakers,
retailers, academics, organic and conventional growers, chefs, farmers and distributors would converge at the
Conference, coordinated by Environment Tasmania and Sprout Tasmania.

“Delegates will hear from experts across all fields on issues such as local food marketing, integrated pest
management, consumer behaviour changes and of course the big one, climate change mitigation,” Ms Evans
said.

“We have speakers from all over the country including the Head of Advocacy for Business for Millennium
Development, Ewan McEoin, who will be running a workshop on building and creating global Tasmanian Brands.

“Tasmania’s wine industry is thriving and it’s important to ensure its sustainability, so the founder of Tasmania’s
first organic vineyard, Tony Sherer from Frogmore Creek, will be discussing his experiences in organic farming,
gathered from around the world.

“Choosing to buy local and organic is often a difficult, expensive or controversial decision for many people, and
the conference will seek to provide clarity on these issues through a presentation from the President of the
Australian City Farm and Community Garden Network, Hannah Moloney.

“The conference will put Tasmania forward as the leader in sustainable agriculture, with the overall aim of getting
the balance right between producers, consumers and the environment.

“Tasmania has so much to offer and it’s important we continue to increase the productivity and health of our
crops, enhancing rural families and ensuring our communities thrive in to the future so we can share Tasmania’s
amazing produce with the rest of the world.

“We are very fortunate to have top Tasmanian chef Luke Burgess, winner of Gourmet Magazines “Best New
Talent 2012” award, sharing his expertise on sustainable, local produce and preparation, as well as cooking up a
storm for the conference dinner.”

The two-day conference will be held from 16-17 July 2013 at Pier One Restaurant in Ulverstone. The cost is
$250 and includes dinner by award winning chef Luke Burgess.

Tickets can be purchased on the Eventbrite website: www.crosspollinate-eorg.eventbrite.com.au.
Environment Tasmania campaigner Lani Evans