Te Taru White, deputy chairman of Te Arawa FoMA, said the conference was timely "given the lake water quality issues that are confronting many landowners in our region and the need to examine other options that support sustainable and profitable farming".
As well, an open day is planned for February 15 to promote biological farming systems to the community, and to develop links with sustainability groups and educators.
Professor Guna Magesan, science adviser to Te Arawa FoMA and the joint co-ordinator of the conference, said it was an opportunity for the public and school students, especially from enviro-schools, to meet, mingle and discuss issues with bio-fertiliser companies and food producers.
"They will also get an opportunity to taste food prepared from biologically grown vegetables, fruits, milk and cheese."
Invitations to the conference will also be sent to ecologists, conservationists, land management specialists, consultants, and representatives from universities, research institutes, regional councils, fertiliser companies, analytical services, agricultural and horticultural businesses.
One of the aims of Te Arawa FoMA is to help its members advance their aspirations for economic development from ancestral lands sustainably and profitably. Providing science and research support and also encouraging Maori landowners to follow alternative sustainable systems such as biological farming is one way of helping.
There is also an open day being held at Waiariki Institute of Technology on Saturday February 22.
For more information about the conference, contact Professor Magesan on (021) 034 5621 or email biologicalfarming.systems@gmail.com.
