Despite the University’s beginnings in agriculture, today’s students are far removed from the family farm, and frequently rely on fast food for meals.

Organic agriculture is fighting against this cultural phenomenon with the Georgia Organics Conference — held today through Sunday at the Classic Center — in an effort to educate Athenians about sustainable agriculture and bring food knowledge back onto the plate.

“The conference is themed around the idea of reclaiming agriculture,” said Barbara Petit, who is in charge of planning the conference. “We’re focusing on putting food back into the context of culture — the culture of the farm and the culture of the table.”

HAMLIN

Georgia Organics, which started in the 1970s as a networking tool for organic farmers, started doing research in the 1990s and now boasts a 1,400-plus membership of farmers, gardeners, horticulturalists, dairymen and women and food policy advocates, Petit said.

Teri Hamlin, an agricultural education horticulture specialist at the University, has been a member of Georgia Organics for six years, helping develop school curricula centered on sustainable agriculture.

“Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms with the objective of serving healthy meals in the cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities and supporting local small farmers,” she said.

These same objectives are going into this weekend’s conference, Hamlin said

The conference features educational seminars, a public sustainable agriculture expo, farm tours and a farmer’s feast with keynote speaker Carlo Petrini, founder of the international slow foods movement.

Petit said the latter two events are some of the most popular.

“People love farm tours,” she said. “They like to really experience where their food comes from.”

The farm feast brings food from all over Georgia, with specific emphasis on local foods from Atlanta and Athens, Petit said. She said Georgia Organics “casts a net” for local food starting in Athens, and then branches out from there to get food from as close a region as possible.

“We’re always a little bit hampered because it’s February,” she said.

Petit said though the conference registration was full, two of tonight’s events are open to the public — the expo from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Classic Center, and a screening of “Dirt! The Movie” at 7:30 p.m. at Ciné.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response,” she said. “Our organization is really devoted to education opportunities, and this is our biggest educational opportunity of the year.”

She said the expo features about 70 exhibits, including food tastings, local artists and farmers and a performance by the Athens band Hope for Agoldensummer.

A big drawing point for the expo is Mellow Mushroom creating fresh, oven-baked pizzas solely from local, Athens-grown ingredients, Petit said. Attending the expo costs $10, but the Ciné screening is free.

“The expo is one of the largest sustainable food and farm trade shows in the Southeast,” Hamlin said.

She said University students will  help set up, register attendees, monitor educational sessions and assist in cleanup.

Hamlin said some of the issues the conference will address include affordability, sustainability, and promotion of local foods.

“[The Georgia Organics] staff is committed to developing and promoting sustainable practices during the conference,” she said. “Composting, recycling, and energy conservation are integrated into every aspect of the conference.”

Petit said another issue was helping farmers to extend their growing season so less food has to be transported from out of state.

“Right now, we don’t have enough supply and we’re having to buy [certain foods] out of state,” she said.

Petit added though the conference was sponsored by Georgia Organics, both organic agriculture and local production — organic or otherwise — walk hand-in-hand to promote sustainable food resources.

Hamlin will serve on the host committee for the conference, even though she is a member of Georgia Organics. In addition, she will facilitate the Farm to School educational session.

“Georgia Organics promotes good things — local foods, sustainable agriculture and healthy people,” she said. “I am proud to be part of this organization.”