2011 Provender Conference

2011 Conference Details:

Keynote Speakers | Conference Schedule
Workshop Details | Additional Information
Scholarship Program | Meet Your Makers

Download Conference Schedule (PDF)

The Annual Provender Conference provides a fun, cooperative atmosphere for members to teach and learn from each other and to network about the heart & soul and nuts & bolts of natural products business in a nontrade show setting.

Become a sponsor!

"Planting Seeds,
Harvesting Wisdom."

October 5th, 6th and 7th 2011 Hood River, OR


We're sorry, online registration will not be offered this year. Follow the link below to download our pdf registration form and send it to our private fax (503) 859-3608.



2011 Provender Conference Keynote Speakers and Bios:

Dr. Steve Jones

Leader in Sustainable Agriculture

Stephen Jones is a plant breeder and the director of The Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center of Washington State University in Mount Vernon. His research in plant genetics has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, Audubon Magazine, National Geographic News, Discover Magazine and on the PBS show “Eyes of Nye” (with Bill Nye the Science Guy). Recently he authored the “Sustainable Agriculture” entry and “Wheat” entry for the World Book Encyclopedia. He has a Ph.D. degree in genetics from the University of California at Davis and has been at Washington State University since 1991. Today Stephen works with small farmers in the coastal Pacific Northwest from California to British Columbia and in upper New England to bring grains back into the communities and diverse farming systems where they belong.

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Jesse Ziff Cool

Advocate for Local, Sustainable, Organic Food

Dedicated to sustainable agriculture and cuisine for over 35 years, Jesse is an advocate for local, sustainable, organic food production and these farmers, to whom she warmly refers as her heroes, she considers to be the first real environmental pioneers. Jesse's work in the food business supports her politics and philosophy and has now expanded from her local community to a national and international audience. She has traveled the world meeting farmers, shop keepers and families, embracing what is local, sustainable, and discovering traditions that connects us. The creative force behind five unique restaurants, three of which she owns today, Jesse has also authored seven cookbooks, as well as numerous articles. She is a much sought after spokesperson, speaker, teacher and presenter.

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Paul Stamets

American Mycologist, Author

Paul Stamets has been a dedicated mycologist for over thirty years. Over this time, he has discovered and coauthored four new species of mushrooms, and pioneered countless techniques in the field of edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. He received the 1998 "Bioneers Award" from The Collective Heritage Institute, and the 1999 "Founder of a New Northwest Award" from the Pacific Rim Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. In 2008, Paul received the National Geographic Adventure Magazine's Green-Novator and the Argosy Foundation's E-chievement Awards. He was also named one of Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" in their November–December 2008 issue. In February 2010, Paul received the President's Award from the Society for Ecological Restoration: Northwest Chapter, in recognition of his contributions to Ecological Restoration.

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Solutions From the Underground
Featuring Paul Stamets

As we are now well engaged in the 6th Major Extinction (“6 X”) on planet Earth, our biosphere is quickly changing, eroding life support systems. Unless we put into action policies and technologies that can cause a course correction in the very near future, species diversity will continue to plummet, with humans not only being the primary cause, but one of the victims. What can we do? Fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer some powerful, practical solutions. Paul will present six inventions, which help steer ecosystems and humanity to a healthier future. He will discuss the evolution of mushrooms in ecosystems and how fungi can help heal environments. As environmental health and human health are inextricably interconnected, fungi offer unique opportunities that capitalize on mycelium’s diverse properties. Fungi are the grand molecular dis-assemblers in nature, decomposing plants and animals, creating soils and the food web of life. Paul will demonstrate that mycelium offers many of the solutions we sorely need.



This Provender Alliance Annual Educational Conference scholarship honors an individual who is:

• Actively involved in his or her community

• Expanding that community’s knowledge   about the role of diet and nutrition on   personal and planetary health

Congratulations to Jonathan Safir!
Click HERE to read his bio.


2011 Conference Schedule and Workshop Details:

Wednesday, October 5th



7:00 AM-10:00 AM and 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

8:00-9:00 AM
BREAKFAST
For Sustainability Intensive attendees only

9:00 AM-5:00 PM
SUSTAINABILITY INTENSIVE
Sustainability Intensive Details

12:00-1:00 PM
LUNCH
For Sustainability Intensive attendees only

2:00-6:00 PM
BREWERY TOUR

Sponsored by Advantage Sales & Marketing. Sign up in advance for a tour of several of the Columbia Gorge’s outstanding breweries.
Brewery Tour Details

6:00-8:00 PM
Wine Reception

Enjoy a few hours tasting some fabulous organic wines and savoring some delicious creations from Chef Mark DeResta.

8:00-10:00 PM
KEYNOTE EVENT
Solutions From the Underground | Paul Stamets
Keynote Details

Thursday, October 6th



7:00 AM-5:00 PM
REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN

7:00-8:00 AM
EARLY MORNING YOGA

7:30-9:00 AM
BREAKFAST SERVED

8:30-10:00 AM
AM KEYNOTE EVENT

Very Local Grains: Why Bother? | Dr. Steve Jones
Keynote Details

10:30 AM-12:30 PM WORKSHOPS: SESSION I

• A Conversation with Dr. Steve Jones
• Business Succession Planning
• Rising to the Governance Challenge: Leadership and the Board’s Work
• Totally Rawsome
• Safe Cosmetic Ingredients: What Does This Mean?
• Foundations of Sustainability

12:30-2:00 PM
LUNCH SERVED

1:30-2:00 PM
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

A recap of the Board of Directors' activities will be presented. Ballots for the election of new board members will be mailed before the conference. On-site voting will continue until 7 PM Friday.

2:00-4:00 PM
WORKSHOPS: SESSION II

• Today’s Seed, Tomorrow’s Table
• Following the Golden Rule: Boards as Employers
• Make Your Deli Move and Groove: Creative Merchandising for Your   Foodservice Department
• Healthy Food = Healthy Kids
• Getting Real About Local Food

4:30-8:00 PM
CHAIR MASSAGE

Chair massages will be available for your additional enjoyment. Sessions are 15 minutes and are included in your conference registration.

5:00-7:00 PM
MEET YOUR MAKERS Invite | Contract

Join us for the popular Provender Meet Your Makers, a tabletop event specifically designed for our manufacturer members to tell you their stories and sample their wares. Beverages will be availble.

7:00-8:30 PM
DINNER SERVED

8:00-9:00 PM
SILENT AUCTION

The silent auction will feature hand-made crafts created by Provender members as a fund-raiser for the One Person Can Make a Difference Scholarship Fund. Bring (or send) your submissions.

9:00-10:00 PM
DESSERT RECEPTION & NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE

Savor some delectible desserts while embracing the rich local Native American heritage with a dance performance from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Friday, October 7th



7:00 AM-3:00 PM
REGISTRATION

7:00-8:00 AM
EARLY MORNING YOGA

7:30-9:00 AM
BREAKFAST SERVED

8:30-10:00 AM
KEYNOTE EVENT
Thinking Outside the Box | Jesse Ziff Cool
Keynote Details

10:30 AM-12:30 PM
WORKSHOPS: SESSION I

• A Conversation with Jesse Ziff Cool
• Integrated Marketing Workshop and Consulting
• Practicing the Hard Stuff: Handling Performance Problems in the   Workplace
• Become a Pro at Efficient Local Foraging!
• Leading Change for a Sustainable Future


12:30 -2:00 PM
LUNCH SERVED

1:30-2:00 PM
ENGAGEMENT PARTY

You are cordially invited to join the Board of Directors in an exchange of vows of love! Like any partnership, the two must come together and share their hopes, dreams, fears, and realities. This will be a fun and engaging opportunity for you to share all those things with your Board.

2:00-3:30 PM
WORKSHOPS: SESSION II

• It’s About So Much More Than Money
• Tax Opportunities to Increase Your Cash Flow
• What’s Conversation Got to Do With It?
• Biodynamic Farming and the Use of Medicinal Herbs
• Sweating the Small Stuff
• Overwhelm and Overload Smackdown! Part I

4:00-5:30 PM
WORKSHOPS: SESSION III

• Domestic Fair Trade
• Overwhelm and Overload Smackdown! Part II
• Speed Networking for Sustainability
• GMO Consumer Awareness
• Who Said Work Can’t Be Fun?–Teambuilding Experiential
• Finding Financial Partners for Your Business


6:30-8:00 PM
DINNER SERVED

7:30-8:00 PM
(after dinner) ANNUAL AWARDS
The 20th edition of our awards where we celebrate outstanding contributors to Provender and our industry.

8:00-8:30 PM
LOGO ITEM RAFFLE

The logo item raffle drawing will be held. You, or your proxy, must be present to win. Please bring a logo item from your business to add to the drawing. Proceeds go to the 2011 worktrade fund.

8:30 PM-12:00 AM
ROCK THE CONFERENCE

SURPRISE! Be the lead singer in the band! YOU are the lead singer, and this live band makes you a star! Back by popular demand, find out what we already know…that Karaoke From Hell is a blast!

LATE NIGHT POKER
Lose your shorts or win the pot...

Saturday, October 9th



8:30 AM
CLOSING CIRCLE

9:00 AM-12:00 PM
PROVENDER BOARD MEETING
The newly elected Board of Directors meets..


Additional Information:

Alcohol:


Alcohol consumption must be limited to designated times and locations. Please respect the alcohol policy as well as other guests staying at the Hood River Inn.

Smoking:


The Hood River Inn is a non-smoking facility. No smoking of any kind is allowed in the rooms. There are several covered areas outside designated as smoking areas.

Volunteering:


There are numerous opportunities to volunteer at the conference. We are always looking for an extra pair of hands for a variety of miscellaneous tasks. Please indicate on the registration form if you are willing to be a volunteer.

Accommodations:


Sending an odd number of people from your business but still want to share a room? Let us know and we can help find you an appropriate roommate.

Family Accommodations:


The rooms have either one or two queen beds or one king bed. Children under 13 stay in adult’s room at no charge. There are some suites at the hotel. Call them for availability.


Other Accommodations:


If you would like other sleeping accommodations, there are several comfortable bed & breakfasts, motels and hotels available. You will need to make your own reservations.

Recycling:


All of our publications and handouts are printed on recycled paper using soy based inks. There will be recycling boxes for paper and name tag holders. We will also have containers available throughout the hotel for other recyclable items.

Snacks and Beverages:


All snacks are donated to the conference. Royal Blue Organics will offer coffee plus an espresso cart. Proceeds from espresso drinks go to the worktrade fund. Bring your own mug!

Airport Pickup and Dropoff:


If you require pickup and/or dropoff at the Portland airport, you must let us know on your registration form.

What to Bring:


Swimsuits for the pool (it may still be open), water bottle, coffee/tea mug, cold weather/rain clothing, sensible footwear, money to buy souvenir Provender logo items or to bid on silent auction items, paper and a writing implement for notes. You may also bring anything you want to put on the “Free Literature” tables, hats/costumes for the Meet Your Makers and the dance party. Remember to bring an item with your company’s logo item for the raffle.

Questions? Contact Provender at (503) 859-3600 or email us at info@provender.org.