Promoting Sustainability through use of Metrics, Policy and Education.

The symposia will consider international and domestic efforts sustainability metrics, policy and education that determine agriculture's success. Otto Doering will be the keynote presenter. The session will review policies impacting the food and energy system and land use that significantly impact agricultural sustainability and, consider the potential for formal and continuing education related to metrics, policy and management to advance sustainability goals. Break out sessions devoted to the themes of sustainability metrics, policy and education will be introduced by members of the Committee for Sustainable and Organic Agriculture.  Topic introductions will briefly summarize evaluation frameworks and certification standards (eg: National Organic Program, the Healthy Farm Index, life cycle analysis, and Soil Management Assessment Framework) and the contribution of these metrics to the science-policy interface.