Organized by Avalon in cooperation with IFOAM - Organics International
The International Conference on Organic Farming and Our Future Food System took place on Friday 12 October 2018 in Oosterworlde. You can watch recordings of the main talks of the conference here. 
The organic farming concept and practice might not be the solution for all socio-economic and environmental problems that humankind faces today. But it is one of the “second-best” alternatives. A vast body of scientific evidence, as well as achievements from practice, indicate that organic farming scores quite well on major sustainability parameters. It delivers a range of public goods and services, while at the same time generating socio-economic benefits. It is farming for people, planet and profit. However, it still has to overcome several challenges, such as lower yields. ​
Our future food can only be Soil Food, based on a healthy soil, and the farmer who produces this is the doctor of the future, who will heal the earth"
The organic sector has become part of the mainstream and is scaling-up. However, in doing this, it should strive to retain its integrity and remain committed to its basic principles. This is a delicate and challenging task. This conference will present the state-of-the-art of the organic farming sector and will discuss the way forward for future development and its consequences for society.
The conference objectives were to:
  1. Inform about the latest findings on potentials and challenges of organic farming in respect to its contribution to our future food system and to both human health and healthy ecosystems.
  2. Discuss successful business cases, transition paths and policies fostering adoption of organic farming. 
  3. Provide the opportunity to exchange ideas and visions on the future development of organic farming.
  4. Discuss the feasibility and consequences of scaling-up organic farming.

Programme 12 October 2018

8.00 - 8.30 | Gathering and registration

8.30 - 9.05 | Opening | Chairperson: Alex Oostvogel, Co-Chairman, Avalon Foundation | Room name: Soil
  • ​Greetings and introduction by Martien Lankester – Executive Director, Avalon Foundation (NL); Ambassador, IFOAM - Organics International (D)
  • A word of welcome​ by Harry Oosterman – Mayor of Ooststellingwerf (NL)
  • Organic farming – a world-wide perspective by Peggy Miars – President, IFOAM – Organics International (D-USA)

9.05 - 10.05 | Keynote speeches | Chairperson: Marcello Palazzi, Co-Chairman, Avalon Foundation | Room name: Soil
  • The sustainable development goals and the food system: where are the connections?​ by Prof Hans Herren – World Board member IFOAM - Organics International (D-USA) | Slideshow
  • Importance of soil organic matter and how to increase it – with special emphasis on contribution of organic farming - by Prof Rattan Lal – Director, Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Ohio State University (USA); President, International Union of Soil Sciences | Slideshow

10.05 - 10.40 | Coffee Break

10.40 - 12.00 | Parallel sessions
12.00 - 13.00 | Presentation of sessions' findings | Chairperson: Willem Lageweg – Chairman, Transition Coalition Food (NL) | Room name: Soil

13.00 - 14.30 | Lunch

14.30 - 15.10 | Afternoon plenary sessions | Chairperson: Prof Nic Lampkin, Executive Director, Organic Research Centre (UK) | Room name: Soil
  • Going organic 100%: a myth or reality? by Dr Vandana Shiva – Director, Navdanya (IND)
  • Environmental, economic and health consequences of widespread conversion to organic farming by Dr Darko Znaor – Principal Consultant, Avalon Foundation (NL-HR) | Slideshow

15:10 - 16:30 | Parallel sessions
16.30 - 17.30 | Presentation of sessions' findings | Chairperson: Prof Tim Lang, City University London (UK) | Room name: Soil

17.30 - 17.45 | Concluding remarks and farewell  | Room name: Soil
  • ​Martien Lankester – Executive Director, Avalon Foundation (NL); Ambassador, IFOAM - Organics International (D-USA)

17.45 - 19.00 | Organic reception