Critics' Picks Tennessee Organic Growers Association Conference

Grow Ahead Disciples of The Omnivore's Dilemma will recognize Joel Salatin as the no-nonsense "grass farmer" whose idyllic, family-run Polyface Farms in Virginia serves as an agricultural ideal in Michael Pollan's blockbuster warning about the industrial food chain. Salatin's innovative farming systems - including portable electric fencing for moving grazing cattle; "Raken" houses for sheltering both chicken and rabbits; and "pigaerators" for building compost - provide a colorful and encouraging vocabulary for the growing dialogue about sustainable agriculture. Salatin delivers the luncheon keynote, "Going Full Time With Your Part-Time Farm," on Saturday at the sixth annual TOGA Conference. The two-day gathering starts on Friday and includes local farm tours, speakers and workshops on urban farming, beekeeping, organic fruit production, local food systems and more. For information and registration, visit tnorganics.org. — Carrington Fox