In honor of the critical role that soils plays in our lives, the Remsen Arts Center will celebrate "the living skin of the Earth" by hosting the Symphony of the Soil Forum on Nov. 19, 2016 from 2-6pm. Our celebration will feature an informal poster reception and stage presentations, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary, "Symphony of the Soil," followed by a discussion with audience participation. Researchers, scholars, and students have been invited to display their work related to soil during the informal poster session. Posters, displays, exhibit, or booths will offer informational material to attendees. The Remsen Arts Center is located at 9627 Main St in Remsen, NY. Admission to the event is free, donations accepted.

To maximize attendance we feel it is important to keep public admission free. We are seeking community support for this educational & informative event. Several sponsorship opportunities are available, Primary Sponsor, Secondary Sponsors, Sponsorship Booklet & Website Ads. There is a rental fee of $200 for the featured video plus some speakers may require an honorarium. There will be advertising and marketing costs.

All forum sponsorship ad materials need to arrive by Nov. 11, 2016. Upload your premade ad or ad materials to our online folder or email ad information to us.

Plans are evolving that will include several soil related activities from instructors, students, and agriculture personnel. Researchers and scholars are invited to display their work related to soil during the informal poster session. Posters or displays prepared for other meetings are welcome — or if you prefer, you may prepare a new display for this event. If you wish to contribute a poster or exhibit, please contact us.

This event will be of interest to environmentally-minded students in all fields of study; to citizens concerned about water, food, and carbon; to scientists and engineers interested in learning about different perspectives on soil; and to any researchers and practitioners interested in understanding and building connections among the sciences. All are welcome to participate in our open discussion.

Booths/Displays:

Soil health demonstrations by soil scientist Amy N. Langner from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Arcadian Acre will offer locally sourced chemical-free goods and seeds, plus garden advice. They are a small homestead in Boonville that is home to Carrie and Jeremy Zelazowski. It includes a 1/4-acre garden that operates on organic principles–no pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or GMO seeds are used. In the summer, Carrie sells Arcadian Acre’s vegetables and herbs at the Old Forge Farmers Market. She also saves seeds each year and makes natural products, such as salves out of the plants she grows.

Wholesome Living will feature vermiculture and have some worms for sale with a demo of the process.

Remsen Central School student display

and more!

Video production by Midair Studio.

Program:
2pm-3pm: Entry time with displays, booths, poster reception, light food & refreshments in the lobby. Stage presentations on the main stage.
3pm: 104 min Symphony of the Soil video on the main stage.
4:45pm: Discussion with audience participation.
Social time with displays, booths, light food & refreshments in the lobby.

Symphony of the Soil is a 104-minute documentary feature film by Deborah Koons Garcia that explores the complexity and mystery of soil. Filmed on four continents and sharing the voices of some of the world’s most esteemed soil scientists, farmers and activists, the film portrays soil as a protagonist of our planetary story. Using a captivating mix of art and science, the film shows that soil is a complex living organism, the foundation of life on earth. Yet most people are soil-blind and “treat soil like dirt.” Through the knowledge and wisdom revealed in this film, we can come to respect, even revere, this miraculous substance, and appreciate that treating the soil right can help solve some of our most pressing environmental problems.

The arts center is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization that depends on public support to complete their performing and visual arts mission. Volunteers, yearly memberships, fundraising auctions and events, and prudent fiscal management have kept the center viable and entertainment charges very reasonable.