Seedstock Conference to Highlight Entrepreneur Opportunities
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 11, 2012) - In a world faced with increasing challenges brought about by global warming, population growth, and water shortages, yet another 21st century trial is emerging. Food deficits in the U.S. and other countries loom as fewer young men and women embrace their family farming legacies while the average age of (American) farmers continues to climb to near 60.
To redirect this course, Seedstock.com, along with its like-minded sponsors, will provide insight to the creative solutions that exist in local, sustainable farming at the Seedstock SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CONFERENCE, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles.
Several conference partners committed to championing local, organic sustainable farming will be on hand to support the event and take part in its programs. Among them is Tender Greens, a rapidly growing "slow food done fast" restaurant chain. Specializing in sustainable, delicious, affordable meals across Southern California, Tender Greens will serve up mid-day fare as the event's luncheon sponsor.
With a foundational concept of using locally produced high-quality ingredients, the bulk of the Tender Greens' "fresh picked daily" produce is supplied by the restaurant's partner, Oxnard's Scarborough Farms. The remainder of the restaurant's menu originates with small local farmers and ranchers and features sustainably raised, grain-fed hormone/antibiotic free beef, free-range and hormone free chicken, and Pacific line-caught tuna. To round out its culinary offerings, the restaurant also partners with artisan bakeries, boutique wineries, craft breweries, and coffee roasters.
As the restaurant chain looks toward expansion, co-founder Erik Oberholtzer recognizes the challenge he and his partners face in obtaining the increasing volume of locally grown products required to maintain integrity and quality. Though it may be tempting to settle for less expensive, mass-market ingredients, the philosophy of Tenders Greens is to buy only the best. Oberholtzer explains: "You're limited to being only as good as your products... You can only do so much with technique and everything else if your raw products aren't good enough." Oberholtzer will participate on the sustainable sourcing panel at the conference.
With a burgeoning marketplace dependent upon locally grown superior products, opportunities abound for the young entrepreneur interested in a rewarding future in agriculture. At the conference, aspiring "agripreneurs" can learn about developing their own small-scale farms as well as hear from experts on the role of private investors in sustainable agriculture solutions.
Additional conference sponsors and supporters of local organic sustainable farming include: Whole Foods, Westwood Village -- providing sustainable fruit and pastry as the conference breakfast sponsor; Groundwork Coffee; Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery; and Golden Road Brewing. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at http://seedstockwest.eventbrite.com.
About Seedstock:
Seedstock is a social venture focused on innovation and sustainability in agriculture. Through the use of a variety of tools, including the news and information blog Seedstock (Seedstock.com) and live events, the company promotes agricultural startup companies, university research, urban agriculture initiatives, and farmers employing innovative new techniques and approaches.
