June 30, 2014 | Robert Puro

News Release – Los Angeles, CA – The 3rd Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Conference – “Reintegrating Ag: Local Food Systems and the Future of Cities” – will focus on the economic, environmental and community benefits that result from the development of a robust local food system.

Slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 – 12, 2014, the conference will explore how city and county policy can encourage investment in, and support of, local and urban agriculture. Also presented will be the business models and technological solutions – from irrigation to supply chain innovations – necessary to augment the growth of local food systems.

“Local food systems can generate new jobs, increase revenues to cities, provide food access for those living in food deserts and meet the demand of citizens seeking healthy food options. It is imperative that cities, counties and their stakeholders – from government officials to concerned citizens – investigate solutions to increase the amount of local, sustainable food in their communities,” said Seedstock co-founder Robert Puro. “Reintegrating sustainable agriculture into cities and counties is a logical step in this process.”

Seedstock, which recently published a report on the top 10 U.S. cities promoting urban farming, fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing together farmers, investors, and other like-minded individuals to forge new partnerships and develop creative solutions in support of local food production and systems.

The first day of the event offers a local food systems field trip. Participants will visit urban farming operations as well as a food business incubator where they will be treated to lectures and breakout sessions that examine successful local food system innovations in Southern California.

On Day 2, attendees will convene at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles for a series of panels and breakout sessions that will address the definition, economic impact, role, long-term benefits, challenges, and solutions associated with the development of a vigorous local food system.

Among other topics, conference presenters will look at:

• How to create a successful value added local product
• The benefits to farmers and students of farm-to-school food programs
• How local food production can break through the industrial agriculture model
• Financing a local food system

For additional information and to purchase early bird tickets, please visit: http://seedstockconference.eventbrite.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please send inquiries to: sponsor [at] seedstock [dot] com

If you are interested in participating as a conference speaker, please send your request to: participant [at] seedstock [dot] com

Find Seedstock at:

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seedstock

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Seedstock
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SeedstockTV

To see the highlights of the 2013 conference, click here.