Keynotes David Montgomery and Anne Biklé with Conference Coordinator Tanmayo Krupanszky

Organic: A Solution That Works was COG Toronto’s 10th annual consumer conference, held once again in downtown Toronto at the University of Toronto Conference Centre on Chestnut Street.  With over 300 participants, the conference saw many new attendees as well as returning folks who very much appreciated the quality and variety of speakers, topics and information provided.  Included was an organic lunch, which, as usual, was a hit with everyone.

We had two keynote speakers this year, David Montgomery and his partner, Anne Biklé, who spoke to their recent book The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, which makes the link between microbial life in the soil and microbial life in our guts.  There were over 30 speakers at the conference including academics, farmers, activists and professionals in a variety of disciplines.  Topics included the impact of pesticide residues on children; how the media shapes our view on food; the CBAN inquiry on 20 years of GMOs in Canada; organic wine, beer and spirits; and more.

The complete agenda is found here and speaker bios, here.

Many thanks to our sponsors who truly make the conference possible: Platinum Sponsor – The Big Carrot; 3 Gold Star Sponsors: Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment; Pfenning’s Organic Farm; New Roots Herbal; and Yorkshire Valley Farms; 2 Gold Sponsors: Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC); All Organic; and Foodland Ontario; 1 Gold Star Sponsors: Crofter’s Organic; Pro-Cert Organic Systems; and Plan B Organic Farm; Friends of the Conference: Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and The Institute for Holistic Nutrition; and our media sponsors: Now Magazine and Vitality Magazine.

Speaker Dr. Warren Bell participating by Skype from B.C.

Organic Buffet Lunch