The Missouri Organic Association is expanding to welcome participants from eight different states at the seventh annual conference, Feb 4 to 6, in Springfield, Missouri.

Participants in this year’s conference will come from Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas.
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The Missouri Organic Association (MOA), a non-profit, all volunteer organization, was set-up to inspire farmers, retailers, consumers and legislators about the benefits of organic foods.

Originally, the MOA focused its activities on the state of Missouri, but the annual event, the Missouri Organic Association Conference has surpassed expectations, drawing each year more attendees from all over the country.

The event this year will take place Feb. 4 to 6, at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield, Missouri.

It will include a broad spectrum of lectures, hands-on workshops, consumer education classes and networking opportunities.

The events are designed to combine theoretical study with business models that allow an equitable flow of information, product and profit. The topics will range from organic food production to sustainable living, nutrition, health and medicinal plants, environmental responsibility and soil health and marketing of niche crops.

Keynote speakers this year are Dr. Arden Anderson, DO presenting “Healthy Soils, Healthy Bodies,” and Dr. John Ikerd presenting “Healthy Soils, Healthy Economies, Healthy Communities.”

Another highlight for this year is the workshop conducted by Botanical Explorer, Joseph Simcox on “Raising Sexy, Exotic Crops for Fun and Profit”.

Simcox will emphasize plant selections suitable for farmers in Missouri and surrounding states and advising on propagation material and sources.

The “Top Chef competition”, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, is a tradition of the MOA Conference .

A surprise for conference attendees is the “Consumer Health Education Seminary”, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 and open to the general public.

The discussion will focus on organic foods and their connection to a healthy diet and balanced nutrition. The session will be moderated by physicians and will include definitions and discussion regarding “health food terminology”.

Participants will learn about the difference between organic, non-GMO, natural foods, free range, cage free, etc.