Shepherd Bliss, owner of Kokopelli Farms in Sonoma County, will talk about and lead an open discussion on "Y2K And The Food Supply" on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7-9 p.m., at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 970 Piner Rd., Santa Rosa.

A press release on the event reads:

"The USDA's official position will be described, as will the "Message (on V2K) From Concerned American Farmers" prepared at the 19th Annual Ecological Farming Conference.

A variety of positions will be considered--from the doubt that V2K will have much of impact to that which advocates storing food and water and making emergency preparations. How to identify and avoid various scams to exploit Y2K will also be discussed.

Our fragile food system--from seed to table--and Its potential disruption will be discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of modern high technology and farming and agriculture's role in the global economy will be considered. How vulnerable Is our local food supply in Sonoma County within the global economy of which It has become an Integral, part? The larger picture of changes occuring in agriculture at the turn of the century will be described. Will Y2K benefit or hurt small family farms as we enter the 21st century.

1999 has been described as -The Year of the Winter Garden. Planting storage crops such as potatoes, squash, carrots and beets will be considered, as will- the importance of having animals such as chickens

Sponsor of the event is Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF)

For more information

-- Jean Wasp (jean@sonic.net), September 06, 1999