Farming and Ranching for Profit, Stewardship, and Community will be the theme of a western region sustainable agriculture conference in Portland, Oregon March 7-9, 2000.

"We aim to bring 500 farmers, ranchers, field advisors, scientists, policy-makers, agribusiness representatives, educators and sustainable agriculture advocates from around the Western U.S. and Pacific Islands to Portland to mark the beginning of a new century by recognizing evolving sustainable agricultural practices," said John Luna, conference coordinator and integrated farming systems specialist at Oregon State University.

The conference will showcase innovative ways for producers to be profitable, while they also act as environmental stewards of their lands and help their rural communities thrive," Luna said.

Sponsored by the USDA Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Western SARE) program and several state universities, the conference will highlight the methods and outcomes of diverse research and education projects funded by the SARE effort - including university-based, on-farm and producer-directed work. The role of non-profit organizations and public policy in promoting sustainable agriculture will also be discussed, as well as marketing strategies, and the benefits of involving farmers and ranchers in agricultural research.

"Sustainable agriculture focuses on increasing profits for farmers, reducing agriculture's impact on natural resources such as water quality and wildlife habitat, and raising quality of life for farm families and their communities," national SARE Director Jill Shore Auburn said.

"I look forward to this Western event, which will gather experts in the field, provide a venue for sharing research results and help to build momentum for more sustainable agriculture successes in the year 2000 and beyond," Auburn said.

The Portland conference will focus on examples of SARE-supported research and education work. Program topics include irrigated and dry land cropping systems; grazing and livestock operations; marketing strategies, including Eco-labeling; soil quality; tropical agriculture; biological pest control; vegetable, tree fruit, wine grape and other crops. The program will also offer a number of information-sharing opportunities.

For more information about the conference, contact Gina Hashagen, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, at (541)737-5477, or Mary Staben at 541-737-5437 stabenm@bcc.orst.edu