Yale pesticide forum explores how and why to grow green

Stonyfield Farms CEO Gary Hirshberg will join other prominent advocates for sustainable agriculture, farmers, community activists, and public health officials at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (FES) on March 30–31 to discuss why growing food organically is better for the environment and for human health.

The conference is the 30th National Pesticide Forum sponsored by the health and environment organization Beyond Pesticides, with the participation of the Yale Student Environmental Coalition. Titled “Healthy Communities: Green Solutions for Safe Environments,” the event will offer sessions covering subjects from organic lawns and landscaping to the long-term health impact of toxic pesticides in our food chain.

In addition to Hirshberg, the author of “Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World,” keynote speakers will include Sandra Steingraber, the author of “Living Downstream” and “Raising Elijah”; John Wargo, Yale professor and author most recently of “Green Intelligence Creating Environments that Protect Human Health”; and David Hackenberg, the beekeeper who first reported an alarming decline of honeybee colonies in the United States.

The conference will take place in the landmark LEED-platinum-rated Kroon Hall, home of FES, 195 Prospect St., New Haven.

Those wishing to attend the forum must register in advance. Fees for individuals start at $35 ($15 for students) and include all sessions, conference materials, and organic refreshment. To register online, go to www.shopbeyondpesticides.org/30napefoheco.html.

A tour of local organic gardens and landscapes at 1 p.m. on Friday will kick off the two-day conference. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click here. 

In addition to Beyond Pesticides, the conference has been organized by Environment and Human Health, Inc., and the Watershed Partnership, Inc. Sponsorship has been provided by Audubon Connecticut, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Common Ground, Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association, SafeLawns Foundation, and Sierra Club-Connecticut Chapter, among other non-profit environmental organizations.