Council's Annual Legislative Reception Jan. 22, State Capitol The Council hosts a reception for members and legislators January 22nd in the Capitol from 3-5 p.m. Our informal meet, greet and eat event is particularly important this year, as more than one-third of legislators are new this year and they need to learn about the Council. The Council will have information about our legislative priorities for the coming Session, and entice legislators with light refreshments-including locally produced ham. For more information about the event, contact Mark Bequeaith at 515/244-1194. PFI Annual Conference Jan. 24-25, Ames The 2003 Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Annual Conference features two-days of important information and fun. Held at the Hotel at Gateway Center, this year's event features a Friday afternoon slate of in-depth workshops followed by book readings and live music. Saturday's highlight will be a keynote panel, "Growing Our Markets, Maintaining Our Values," featuring Michael Rozyne, managing director and founder of Red Tomato, and Rick Schnieders, president and C.E.O. of SYSCO Corporation. Red Tomato, based in Canton, Mass., is non-profit broker of sustainably raised fruits and vegetables. Schnieders, as head of the nation's largest distributor to food service operators, is working to add sustainable products to his company's offerings. Three tiers of one-hour-plus workshops will be offered Saturday as well. Session topics include alternative nitrogen management, Slow Food and renewable energy. Early registration ends Jan. 10. Visit < http://www.pfi.iastate.edu/Calendar/upcoming_events.htm> or contact Sandra Trca-Black at 515/232-5661 ext. 101, or <[log in to unmask]>. Submitted by Laura Miller Sustainable Ag Policy Conference Feb. 4, Ames "Concentration in agriculture: How much, how serious, and why worry?" is hosted by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the Scheman Building located at the Iowa State Center in Ames. Five noted speakers will look at problems and opportunities springing from increased industrial concentration in agriculture. Speakers include ISU Distinguished Professor Neil Harl, economists Mary Hendrickson from the University of Missouri and Richard Levins from the University of Minnesota, a representative from the U.S. Department of Justice who specializes in antitrust, and special counsel to the Senate Committee on Agriculture. The registration fee, which includes food and educational materials, is $25 before January 24, and $30 on or after January 24. To register, contact Terrie Hunter at the Scheman Center, 515/294-5961 or visit <http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/online.htm>. Submitted by Laura J. Miller Eating Our Way to a Better Future Feb. 8, Iowa City Learn how you can "vote" with your food dollar through local, sustainable food production. Join Carol Hunt, local food systems coordinator for the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District, for this free presentation, which is sponsored by Environmental Advocates. Carol's talk will include a demonstration on how to use locally grown food even in the dead of winter. Tasty samples will be available to the audience. To be held in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, call 319/624-3954 or 319/351-6410. Submitted by Becky Soglin IEC Lobby Day Mar. 4, State Capitol Reserve March 4, 2003 on your calendar. The Council's annual Environmental Lobby Day promises to bigger and better than last year's. We are seeking member groups for tabletop and poster displays. Contact Mark Bequeaith < [log in to unmask]> to learn how you or your group can participate. And make a commitment to "March Forth for Iowa's Environment on the 4th of March." Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp