2011 Agribusiness / Bioscience Breakfast Series features "green" theme

Updated: February 01, 2011

The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness/Bioscience Committee presents...
2011 Agribusiness/Bioscience Breakfast Series
IT'S EASY BEING GREEN!

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Fourth Friday of the month, January - March
Hills Bank and Trust Company, 1009 2nd St, Coralville

$10 for members/$12 for future members
Register for all three in advance!
Includes complimentary breakfast

Session 1: January 28
ORGANICS: A GREENER WAY TO GROW
Theresa Carbrey, New Pioneer Co-op; Jason Grimm, Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development; Joanna Mouming, Kalona Organics; and Marty Pistulka, United Natural Foods, Inc.
Panelists will discuss organic growing, the latest advances in the industry and what's to come. Topics include:

Kalona Organics recently launched brand, Kalona Supernatural, which features products that come largely from small, Amish / Mennonite family farms.
The Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Regional Food Initiative, I-Food group, which supports organic farmers, access to organic food and access to resources and training for organic farm production.
United Natural Food, Inc.'s role in the organic industry as the leading U.S. independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic produce.

Click here to register online by Wednesday, January 26.

Session 2: February 25
RECYCLING: WE AREN'T JUST TALKING TRASH
Jennifer Jordan, City of Iowa City; Andy Ockenfels, City Carton Recycling; Mark Patton, Habitat for Humanity ReStore; and Jennifer Ryan Fencl, Eastern Central Iowa Council of Governments.
Panelists will discuss how recycling has a major impact on waste and what we can do to help keep this great trend alive and growing. In addition, attendees will learn what organizations are doing to help make recycling easier and how to get involved. Topics include:

City of Iowa City's $3.7 million new eastide recycling center will be a place to drop off unwanted furniture or pick up mulch. Scheduled to open in summer 2011, it will also host several non-profit organizations and will have an environmental education center.
City Carton Recycling's contributions as Iowa's largest full service paper recycling company and one of the largest full-service recycling companies in the Midwest.
The Habitat ReStore's efforts to divert large amounts of reusable materials from landfills and provide home improvement and building materials to the public at low prices.
Eastern Central Iowa Council of Governments' offers waste reduction education and promotions
to increase recycling and reduce waste/toxicity in the residential and business sectors region wide.

Click here to register online by Wednesday, February 23

Session 3: March 25
GREEN ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE
Liz Christiansen, The University of Iowa Office of Sustainability; Steve Fugate, Iowa Renewable Energy Association (iRenew); Mike Ott, Iowa Biotechnology Association; and Sheila Samuelson, Bright Green Strategy.
Panelists will discuss green energy, including biofuels and wind energy and share best practice on what you can do to help reduce energy waste in your business. Topics include:

The University of Iowa recently revealed its 2020 Sustainability Plan, which includes more than doubling the amount of campus waste being diverted from landfills and increasing to 40 percent the university’s power coming from renewable energy sources over the next 10 years. In addition, UI has partnered with Quaker Oats to reduce its fossil fuel green house gas emissions.
Bright Green Strategy consults businesses on energy efficiency, sustainable procurement, greenhouse gas accounting and reporting, green events, and stakeholder engagement
Iowa Renewable Energy Association's mission to educate Iowans about the sustainable, appropriate use of renewable energy technologies.

Click here to register online by Wednesday, March 23

The Agribusiness/Bioscience committee is sponsored by Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc. and First Trust & Savings Bank.