Last week’s 35th annual EcoFarm Conference gathered nearly 2000 sustainable agriculture experts and allies for education, rejuvenation and celebration with a new twist: the Permaculture Track! Thanks to EFA’s Executive Director (and former OAEC Garden Intern) Ken Dickerson and the visionary support of the EcoFarm planning committee, OAEC supported the integration of Permaculture Design Methodology from Pre-Conference to closing plenary.

I was invited to speak at an Agroforestry panel alongside my friend John Valenzuela of Cornucopia Food Forest Gardens at this year's Ecofarm Conference. Another dear friend, Kendall Dunnigan, of the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, was the moderator. I have been working with the OAEC for years now, and this wonderful family continues to amaze and inspire! Here is an article covering some of the things the OAEC offered this year.

It was a wonderful experience and beautiful setting, held along the Monterey coast of Northern California, with many leaders and powerhouses of sustainable and organic agriculture in attendance. It was an honor to be alongside so many mentors, teachers and pioneers.

Our talk consisted of a slideshow presentation including a world tour of traditional and ancient forestry and agriculture. We also discussed cutting edge methods, and examples of some of the most pertinent and successful systems today. Packing all of it into a 90 min. discussion was the only challenge! There's always so much to cover, but in the end it was a success. The feedback was positive, and we heard that hundreds of people attended. John and I had a wonderful flow, and many collaborative ideas sprang forth.

I would like to thank all of those continuing in this work, to my mentors, to Ecofarm, and to the OAEC, for giving me this opportunity!

A write-up of the highlights from the OAEC can be read here.