The 3rd Annual Farm to Table International Conference is scheduled for August 8-10, 2015, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. F2Ti features the brightest thought leaders and leading practitioners in the burgeoning farm-to-table movement. F2Ti explores the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally to globally. It takes place in tandem with the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Annual Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO, an event attracting food and beverage professionals from across the country.

This year’s theme, “A Feast for the Senses,” spotlights the sensual aspects of food and drink at every stage of the agricultural-culinary cycle. Topics will include, but are not limited to, best practices in urban farming, bringing products to market, sourcing locally, enhancing sustainability, and the latest trends and developments in the industry, including food science, security, and safety.

Dr. Temple Grandin will deliver the keynote address at the Farm to Table International Conference on Sunday, August 9, at 3:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Grandin is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University, a best-selling author, an autistic activist, and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She also invented the “hug box,” a device to calm those on the autism spectrum.

Grandin is a prominent and widely cited proponent for animal welfare. She has lectured widely about her first-hand experiences of the anxiety of feeling threatened by everything in her surroundings, and of being dismissed and feared, which motivates her work in humane livestock handling processes. She studied the behavior of cattle, how they react to ranchers, movements, objects and light. Grandin then designed adapted curved corrals, intended to reduce stress, panic and injury in animals being led to slaughter.

Other program highlights panel discussion Crop to Cup (brewing, vinting, distilling and non-alcoholic beverages) and Food Innovation (Science technology and the latest trends). There will be Chef Demos, “Knowledge Center” presentations, and, obviously, prime networking opportunities.

WHAT: 2015 Farm to Table International Conference presented in partnership with the SoFAB Institute and LSU AgCenter.

WHEN: August 8 – 10, 2015.

WHERE: New Orleans Ernest M. Morial Convention Center.

TIX & INFO: Full conference, 1-day and 2-day packages are available, a student discount is offered. Additional tickets are available for lunches as well as the Chefs Taste Challenge Dinner. Please visit F2T-Int.com and @Farm2Table_Int for more information.