The Ecological Farming Association’s annual EcoFarm conference in Pacific Grove is looking to the future, but stakes a claim to history as the oldest, biggest eco-ag gathering in the West.


A wide range of events offers food for thought to some 1,500 hobby gardeners and seasoned farmers, foodies and policy wonks. 


2-3PM THU.


Organic Agriculture as a Strategic Tool for Global Change Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Director Dave Henson and consultant Katherine Dimatteo speak on organic ag as the foundation of a global green economy. 


3:30-5PM THU.


Resisting and Co-Existing: Anti-GMO Strategies Lauren Batcha of the Organic Trade Association and Paige Tomaselli of the Center for Food Safety discuss the line between selling out and working with feds to mitigate GMO contamination. 


8:15-10AM FRI.


Fukushima, Fallout & Farming Researchers are analyzing data from Japan to understand the distribution and impacts of nuclear fallout. Japanese farmer Shinji Hashimoto, Kai Vetter of UC Berkeley and John Chater of Cal Poly present. 


3:30-5PM FRI.


Fixing School Food Jaime Smith tells how he integrated local, seasonal foods into the menu at Santa Cruz public schools; activist Amy Kalafa envisions a shift to healthier fare.


8:30-10AM SAT.


GMO Labeling Legislation Pamm Larry of Label GMOs and Rebecca Spector of the Center for Food Safety talk about the fight to label GMO foods. 


EcoFarm runs through Sat Feb. 4 at Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., P.G. $160/day plus meals. www.ecofarmconference.org 655-9924.