John Ikerd was the keynote speaker for the 2008 Midwest Value Added Agriculture conference, held in Eau Claire. Agricultural economics is his field, and his work with with sustainable agriculture and the move toward localization of food. The conference is hosted annually by River Country Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
David Rovics is a singer/songwriter with a cause - actually many of them. His music takes him wherever there are listeners for his activist selection, with concern for peace, social justice and much, much more.
David Rovics is a perpetual activist energy machine with his music, calling attention to the problems that need addressing and recognizing the successes of those working for social justice. He tours extensively in the US and Europe, and occasionally to the Middle East and beyond.
All the songs in this Spirit In Action program are by David Rovics:
New Orleans
Halliburton Boardroom Massacre
St. Patrick Battalion
Waiting for the Fall
Jenin
Song for Cindy Sheehan
Battle of Blair Mountain
Scott Beck has been in a wide assortment of bands since high school, from folk to rock to blues and cycling back, now to acoustic guitar. Raised Catholic, disaffected from religion for many years, he's now found a spiritual home with enough heart and wide enough walls to include his beliefs in New Thought churches.
Claudia Schmidt has been producing music, poetry and theater for over 30 years. Folk and jazz are some of her musical styles, the Midwest is her home, but the world is her audience!
A visit with Steve Ryals, author of Drunk With Wonder: Awakening to the God Within, former speed freak and alcoholic, and activist with Challenge Day.
Music featured in this program:
How Could Anyone Ever Tell You - Peaceful Women
Loren Cobb has an exciting and unusual job. As Aetheling International Consultants he facilitates NationLab, a simulation game helping countries of this hemisphere experience and plan for social, economic and political developments. Loren, a Quaker pacifist and mathematical sociologist, works alongside with the military to strengthen our neighbors, and keep the peace. But that is only one of the roles that Loren lives out. One of his other hats is that of editor of The Quaker Economist which is self-proclaimed as "a free electronic journal devoted to examining worldwide economic, social, and political problems as if people matter". In a recent edition, for example, Loren wrote about some intriguing extrapolations about the trend in violence over human history.
Loren Cobb has an exciting and unusual job. As Aetheling International Consultants he facilitates NationLab, a simulation game helping countries of this hemisphere experience and plan for social, economic and political developments. Loren, a Quaker pacifist and mathematical sociologist, works alongside with the military to strengthen our neighbors, and keep the peace.
Dale Worley's music is fun and it's deep and it's sacred and it's rockin'. Dale is a Lay Minister & Truth Student at Unity Village, and has been playing the piano since he was 8, influenced by Jerry Lee Louis, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, Little Richard and Elvis Presley. His repertoire includes Science of Mind teachings, Native American spirituality, A Course in Miracles concepts, and 12-Step principles into Sacred Place Ministries.
Dale will be presenting his musical, prayerful, rockin' ministry at Unity Christ Center of Eau Claire, starting with a full-day retreat 9 am - 9 pm on Saturday, January 26, and, as part of Unity's worship service on Sunday, January 27, 2008, 10 am.