Thanks for agreeing to post our Farmer-led Watershed Initiative Conference.
We are also sponsoring a farm tour in the Netherlands, March 3-9,1997.
I've included both a short and full description, in case you need further
information. I'd again appreciate it if you would include it in your
calendar.
March 3-9, 1997
EVENT: The Netherlands Farm Tour
PLACE: The Netherlands
CONTACT: Emily K. Green, Watershed Program Coordinator
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
1313 5th St. SE, Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
ph. (612) 379-5980 fax. (612) 379-5982
email: egreen@iatp.org
ANNOUNCING:
The Netherlands Farm Tour
March 3-9, 1997
sponsored by The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP),
Minneapolis, MN; and hosted by the Center for Agriculture and the
Environment (CLM), Utrecht, The Netherlands
The Netherlands Farm Tour is an intensive study seminar which will provide
participants an opportunity to
* Tour Dutch farms and meet with farmers who are developing and using
innovative, economically and environmentally sound farming practices;
* Learn about Dutch "yardstick" tools for evaluating the environmental
impacts of agricultural practices, including pesticide use, nutrient
management, and energy use;
* Meet and talk with Dutch agricultural and environmental policy leaders;
* Learn first-hand about successful consumer labeling and results-rewarding
initiatives.
In the first Netherlands farm tour, organized by IATP in 1996, 13 U.S.
farmers, and environmental and consumer leaders visited Dutch farms and
agricultural projects, met with Dutch farmers, researchers,
environmentalists, and water quality experts, and discussed their
strategies for assessing and reducing the loss of nutrients and pesticides
into soil and water. The delegation also looked at the use of Dutch
"yardstick" tools for measuring on-farm nutrient balances and pesticide
impacts. These innovative tools were developed by CLM in response to
severe water contamination and intense agricultural production and land
use. The tools are now widely utilized by Dutch farmers and have proven
successful in quantifying and reducing adverse environmental impacts. The
1996 delegation also looked at Dutch systems for results-rewarding to
farmers including product marketing and labeling initiatives.
The 1996 tour was an unqualified success -- bringing together U.S. farmers
and environmental leaders and exposing them to the agricultural and
environmental challenges and innovations in the Netherlands. The tour also
provided participants a unique opportunity to discuss challenges and
opportunities for water quality protection and cooperation in their local
watersheds.
The cost of this one-week tour will be $1295.00* per person which includes
accommodations, food, and in-country transportation. Please call if you
have questions or would like to reserve a space in the tour. Participation
is limited.
For more information or to register, contact:
Emily K. Green, Watershed Program Coordinator
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
1313 Fifth St. SE, Suite 303, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 U.S.A.
phone 612-379-5980 * fax 612-379-5982
e-mail <egreen@iatp.org> <http://www.iatp.org/iatp>
*Assuming double-occupancy accommodations. There will be an additional
cost for private accommodations.
Jim Kleinschmit
Program Associate, Watershed Protection Program
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
1313 5th St. SE, Suite 303 Minneapolis, MN 55414
phone: 612-379-5980; fax: 612-379-5982
e-mail: <water@mtn.org>