John D. Liu is a filmmaker and an ecologist as well as Ecosystem Ambassador for the Commonland Foundation. As a journalist, ecological researcher and ecosystem ambassador John has traveled extensively throughout the world. John is the founder of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps movement and an advisory board member of the UN Decade on Restoration

Many of John’s films and published works can be found at: https://knaw.academia.edu/JohnDLiu

Keynote

The Flourishing Path

Phillip Warsaw is an Assistant Professor of Ecological Economics and Environmental Justice in the Department of Community Sustainability. Broadly, his research takes an interdisciplinary approach to questions of environmental justice, economic development, and sustainability, combining approaches from economics and the other social sciences. He holds a PhD in Economics as well as an MS in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining MSU, Phil was a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Keynote Speaker

Through his background in Ecological Economics and Environmental Justice, Phil Warsaw will help us imagine beyond our current economic structures, so we can consider structures that are more equitable and sustainable.

Sarah K Mock is an agriculture and food expert—writing, podcasting, researching, and advising on everything from farm production, strategy, and marketing to ag history and economics to logistics, supply chains, and climate impact. She’s worked in and around agriculture across the country and around the globe; including with non-profits, the US Department of Agriculture, Silicon Valley companies, the national news media, and directly with farms.

Raised on her family’s farm in Wyoming, Mock’s passion for agriculture runs deep, as does her yearning to prove that it is possible to farm without exploiting farmers, farmworkers, the environment, or communities. You can learn more about Sarah on her website at https://www.sarahkmock.com

Keynote Speaker

Writer & Agriculture Food Expert

Linda Faillace is a culinary teacher, cheesemaker, writer, food & farm consultant, and author of Mad Sheep: The True Story behind the USDA’s War on a Family Farm. With her husband, Dr. Larry Faillace, she owns Three Shepherds Farm in beautiful Warren, Vermont. Over the past 30 years they have imported dairy sheep from Europe & New Zealand, established a sheep dairy & artisan cheesemaking business, taught cheesemaking & culinary classes around the world. Food & farming has taken them on many exciting adventures throughout the United States, Central & South America, and Caribbean to help kindred spirits launch successful cheese and food businesses. Three Shepherds Farm has been featured in numerous publications/television shows including The New York Times, Gourmet, Wall Street Journal, “The Today Show”, “The Food Network” and “Martha Stewart.”
Linda believes that organic, grassfed, locally-grown food is a key to health, and that healthy soil and ingredients from nature hold the secrets to a long happy life. She is passionate about astrology, foraging for wild edibles, mushrooms, and medicinal plants, and working in her large organic vegetable & flower garden.
Linda and Larry are the proud parents of three children (who the farm was named after), four grandchildren, and Touis, their black lab who lives for travel, foraging, and, of course food! Linda contact info and Three Shepherds’ latest cheese and culinary classes can be found at www.ThreeShepherdsCheese.com

Keynote Speaker

Cutting-Edge Producer