LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The 2012 Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG) Conference was the best attended yet, with preliminary numbers coming in at around 1,275 participants.

Farmers, ranchers, researchers, Extension agents, and community groups gathered in Little Rock, AR, Jan. 18-21 for the Southern SAWG “Practical Tools & Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms” Conference to visit farms, attend intensive workshops and educational sessions, and explore the trade show on sustainable ag topics, products and educational resources ranging from organic production to renewable energies.

Southern SARE was well represented at the conference with an exhibitor display and educational materials. In addition, over 80 farmers, ranchers and Extension agents attended the conference through Southern SARE Professional Development Program scholarship opportunities. Southern SARE representatives from our Administrative Council and state ag coordinators from across the Southern region were also in attendance.

Southern SAWG’s conference is one of the premiere sustainable agriculture conferences in the Southern region. Next year’s event will take place Jan. 23-26 in Little Rock, AR. For more information on Southern SAWG, visit http://www.ssawg.org/. Additional photos of the Southern SAWG conference can be found on Facebook and Flickr.

Forage producers Charlie and Ann Hoffman (right) of Georgetown, KY, along with Kentucky State University's Marion Simon (left) and her sister Mattie Brown. The Hoffmans, regulars of KYSU's Third Thursday program, attended the Southern SAWG Conference on a SARE PDP scholarship.

Southern SARE AC members Kathy Moore and David Redhage at the Southern SAWG Conference. Kathy is an Oklahoma farmer and David is program manager of Southern SARE's PDP, based at the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Southern SARE state ag coordinator and Alabama Extension entomologist Ayanava Majumdar shows off IPM research at the Southern SAWG conference.

Southern SARE's PDP manager David Redhage (left), assistant director John Mayne, and PR coordinator Candace Pollock attend the Southern SAWG banquet on the last day of the event. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lanphier, Kerr Center