What’s down in the ground, dirt lovers?!

Your loyal Dirt Road Warrior just touched down in Minneapolis/St. Paul from sunny southern California. Always a thrill to step out into air that's dropped 53 degrees in temperature and renew my appreciation for my "Get Dirty" wool cap and the warm hearts of organic farmers.

I'm here at the 2009 Acres U.S. A. Conference & Trade Show: Finding Profit Through BioDiveristy. For those who don't know, Acres U.S.A. is North America's oldest, largest magazine covering commercial-scale organic and sustainable farming. (Any magazine more interested in articles like "Soil Fertility Versus Environmental Stress" than in the scandal de jour of a certain golfer-in-very-hot-water is my kind of magazine.)

The annual Acres U.S.A. conference is all about innovation and learning -- as applied to organic sustainable agriculture and above all, growing Dirt! This year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in beautiful -- really beautiful -- downtown St. Paul, he conference is bigger and better than ever. Better than expected turnout and the Trade Show booths were snapped up. Hey it's not just organic eating that's on a roll. This the real green business -- and it will be growing. It's a place where you can find farmers and consultants from every side of eco-farming coming together to share their experience and knowledge. From dirt's POV it's encouraging to hear people report that organic ag is healthier for soil and so naturally dirt responds with yields and nutritious food that blow away industrial, monocrop, GMO, agriculture. I'm especially pumped to hear keynote speakers Mark McAfee ("Taking Back the American Food Chain), Ronnie Cummins ("Organic Production--A matter of Survival") and Michael Diamond ("A Constitutional Roadmap to Environmental Security"). The overall theme: The health of humans and the planet can only be achieved through organic agriculture. These dirt loving people totally understand that if you feed dirt, dirt will feed you. Practical workshops and strong political discussions all focused on keeping dirt alive. What a wonderful dirty bunch. Traditional agricultural practices -- a strong Amish representation -- and products from the wondrous Neem tree from India.. met the latest research into compost teas, mycorrhizal applications, and biodynamic farming, and purveyors of organic, heirloom seeds.

Health, wealth and sustainability all focusing on Dirt. Seems like a nice place show the film all right....

Might have been 20 degrees outside but in the hall the film was warmly received: These people who spend their lives nurturing soil really got it: There was laughter, outrage, sadness, nodding in agreement with many in the film and a standing ovation, cheers and an instant sell off of all the just-available DVD's of DIRT! The Movie. Whew! These people really know how to Get Dirty.

You too can order today and have it in time for the holidays: http://www.dirtthemovie.org/

Your Dirt Road Warrior signed copies for myriad grateful dirt lovers who came over with some heart-warming comments. One favorite was from Donna Callagher a lovely lady with a lilting southern accent who said thanks for a film that was "Like a prayer and a blessing." A Dirty Amen to that, Sister! And just to think that all this took place on International Soil Day -- December 5.

Frozen or not, we love our dirt. Ol Dirt Road Warrior signing off... more reports coming right up.

- Posted by Gene Rosow, Director of Dirt! The Movie

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