Fresh sheet: Bioneers serve up a host of workshops

If you’re curious about local, sustainable food, the Bioneers conference Friday through Sunday offers a menu of ways to learn more.

First, the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network is hosting a harvest and kick off party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Community Building lobby, 35 W. Main Ave. in Spokane. Speakers will talk about sustainable agriculture in Washington and food will be served.

The event is free, but call or e-mail to let them know you’ll attend. Send the RSVP to Gale Sterrett at (360) 366-9694, ext. 100, or gsterrett@wsffn.org.

The conference features a host of workshops on everything from local food and green building to fair trade and wheat and wild salmon. Bioneers consider themselves “biological pioneers,” or people who are committed to preserving and supporting future life on Earth, according to their Web site www.bioneers.org.

Pre-registration is due today, or register during the conference at Spokane Falls Community College. The cost is $25 per day or $65 for all three days.

For foodies, here are some of the workshops that might pique your interest:

Friday

FEAST: Food and the Environment, Advocating a Sustainable Table. 2:45 p.m.: Local Slow Food organizer Jennifer Hall and others will talk about the local food scene and how to support sustainable producers.

Wheat and Wild Salmon, 4:30 p.m.: Sam Mace, director of the Inland Northwest chapter of Save Our Wild Salmon, will lead a discussion on restoring wild salmon, including efforts to remove four dams on the lower Snake River.

Eating your Way to Sustainability, 4:30 p.m.: Ellen Gray, of the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network, will lead a talk about how to sort out all of the messages around food and start buying food to support sustainable agriculture efforts

Saturday

American Cultural Revolution: Chefs, Food, Farming and You, 4:30 p.m.: Lora Lea Misterly, of the Quillisascut School of the Domestic Arts, will be joined by Spokane Community College instructor and chef Pete Tobin and Latah Bistro chef David Blaine to talk about how food trends and the choices you make at the table influence the planet.

Also, consider having lunch at the conference on Friday. It will consist of local and regional foods prepared by students in the SCC Culinary Arts program. The cost is $10.

All of the details and registration information are on the Spokane Bioneers Web site www.sustainspokane.org or call (509) 209-2394.