OCTOBER 5, 2004

Nationally Recognized Author Anna Lappé to Speak at Mesa State

Grand Junction, CO - Nationally recognized author Anna Lappé will present "What's food got to do with it? Straight talk on the impact of our agricultural system on the economy and environment." on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Mesa State College's Liff Auditorium.

Her presentation will explore how the American food and farming system impacts our economy and environment and will include inspiring stories of grassroots solutions that model a more sustainable food system. A respected commentator on food politics, globalization and the media, Lappé is the co-author of "Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet" and is currently working on a second book, "Grub: Ideas for an Urban, Organic Kitchen." She has also been featured in numerous periodicals, including "Organic Style," "Utne" and "O: The Oprah Magazine." A co-founder of the Small Planet Fund, Lappé was the first recipient of the Bioneers Youth Award in 2002, an award given annually by the Collective Heritage Institute to leaders under thirty who have made a national impact.

Lappé's presentation is being held in conjunction with the "Natural Resources of the West" seminar series being hosted by Dr. Gigi Richard, assistant professor of geology, and Dr. Tamera Minnick, assistant professor of environmental science. The series is examining issues surrounding the preservation, conservation and restoration of natural resources in Colorado and the western United States. As part of this series, Raul Morales from the Bureau of Land Management will also discuss federal agency land management strategies on Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Saccomanno Lecture Hall.

The series, which is free and open to the public, will continue through November. For more information, contact Dr. Richard at 970.248.1689 or Dr. Minnick at 970.248.1663. A full seminar schedule is also available at home.mesastate.edu/~grichard/WSS/WSSF04index.html.

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