November 5–7

National Small Farm Trade Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, Columbia, Missouri. Sponsored by Small Farm Today, this show is one of the largest annual shows of its kind in the nation. Three Iowans will report on their work funded by the North Central Region USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Vaughn and Cindy Pittz will present "Aronia Berry: A Sustainable Crop for a Sustainable Future," and  Zac Wedemeyer will present "Taproot Sustainable Farming Experience for Children." Contact: Small Farm Today, (800) 633-2535, smallfarm@socket.net. View the web site for more information.

November 6–7

10th Annual Healthy Foods, Local Farms Conference, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. Author and farmer-philosopher Wendell Berry will speak on the conference theme, Building Community through Food. Contact: Aloma Dew, aloma.dew@sierraclub.org, (270) 685-2034.

November 7

Water Under Siege Film Festival, 9:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Central Library and Pappajohn Center, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Three videos from the Iowa Learning Fam's "Culture of Conservation" video series will be shown, with discussions following the film showings. Contact: Marybeth Gardam at mbgardam@gmail.com or call 515-210-7928. View the flyer for more information.

November 7

Farmscape: Documenting the Changing Rural Environment, 7 p.m., Hearst Center, Cedar Falls. This is a reader's theater written in 2008 written by the creative writing students of ISU Professor Mary Swander. It is based on interviews of central Iowans conducted by the class. Contact: Mary Swander, mswander@iastate.edu, (515) 294-3373. View the web site for more information.

November 13–15

Fall Harvest Gathering for Women in Sustainable Agriculture, Big Timber Cabin, Cedar Valley Resort, Whalan, Minnesota. This retreat will feature mind-mapping, a silent auction and presentations. Contact: Leigh Adcock, leigh@wfan.org, (515) 460-2477.

November 14

Farmscape: Documenting the Changing Rural Environment, 8 p.m., Loras College, Dubuque. This is a reader's theater written in 2008 written by the creative writing students of ISU Professor Mary Swander. It is based on interviews of central Iowans conducted by the class. Contact: Mary Swander, mswander@iastate.edu, (515) 294-3373. View the web site for more information.

November 16–17

Annual Sustainble Ag Expo, Embassy Suites Hotel, San Luis Obispo, California. The 5th annual Expo is hosted by the Central Coast Vineyard Team and will offer crop specific and general seminars featuring researchers, extension, consultants and growers. Visit the web site for more information. Contact: info@sustainableagexpo.org, (805) 369-2288.

November 18–19

Midwest Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health Forum, Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston. This conference will provide an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and agricultural producers to communicate on rural and agricultural needs, services, research, and methods for research to practice implementation. Contact: Eileen Fisher, eileen-fisher@uiowa.edu, (319) 335-4224. For more information see the web site.

November 21

Central Iowa Food & Beverage Expo, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Iowa Central Community College Career Education Building, Fort Dodge. This holiday-themed event will allow you to visit vendor booths to sip Iowa wines and beer, learn interesting facts and taste foods. Cooking demonstrations will be held in the gymnasium in half-hour intervals by chef Michael Hirst, master baker Tom Pritchard and others. Contact: Sue Heistand, (515) 574-1292, heistand@iowacentral.edu. Visit the web site for more information and to register online.

December 3–5

Acres U.S.A. Conference and Trade Show, Crown Plaza Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota. This conference features dozens of speakers—authors, consultants and farmers, among others—covering all facets of eco-agriculture, including soils, crops, weed and insect control, livestock management and human and animal health. Contact: Acres U.S.A., (512) 892-4400, info@acresusa.com. View the web site for more information.

January 20–22, 2010

Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This conference/Summit will include 36 breakout sessions in six themed tracks, three keynote addresses, a tradeshow and a World Café round table forum. In addition, local food will be served throughout the conference. See the web site for more information. Contact: Pam Herdirch, River County Resource Conservation and Development Council, (715) 834-9672, River_County@hotmail.com.

January 29–31, 2010

Wildness, Wilderness and the Creative Imagination symposium, Memorial Union, Iowa State University, Ames. This free environmental literary festival features readings, poetry performanes, panel discussions, documentary films, book signings and receptions. Contact: Deb Marquart, (515) 290-7731, marquart@iastate.edu. View the web site for more information.

February 9–11, 2010

Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society Annual Winter Conference, Watertown Event Center, Watertown, South Dakota. This conference will feature keynote speakers Tom Stearns, founder of High Mowing Organic Seeds, Wolcott, Vermont, and Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM, Arcadia, Wisconsin, staff veterinarian for Organic Valley. Contact: NPSAS, (701) 883-4304, npsas@drtel.net. View the event on the NPSAS web site for more information.