17th Symposium of the International Farming Systems Association

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            Small farms in an ever-changing world:
       Meeting the challenges of sustainable livelihoods
        and food security in diverse rural communities
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The  International Farming Systems Association (IFSA)  is  the
only    worldwide   professional   organization   that   links
researchers  of  several disciplines engaged  in  agricultural 
research  and  rural  development,  especially  in  developing 
countries. IFSA symposium participants include farming systems 
practitioners  including those associated  with  universities,
government   agencies,  and  non  governmental   organizations
interested in agricultural development around the world.  This
year,  the  symposium rotates to the United  States.   At  our
forthcoming  symposium to be held in Orlando,  Florida  during 
November  17-20, 2002, scientists and development  specialists 
will focus on challenges facing small farmers.

The  overarching  theme is: Small farms  in  an  ever-changing
world:  Meeting the challenges of sustainable livelihoods  and
food  security  in  diverse  rural  communities.   Sub  themes
cluster  around categories of: small farm diversification  and 
competitiveness; engaging diverse stakeholders in  support  of
small   farms;  farming  systems  knowledge  and  information;
farming systems education and training; and food security  and 
safety.

The call for posters (in English and Spanish) can be found  on 
the web site http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ifsa