Inside the Hen House with Michael Pollan

Do you know where your chicken comes from? Carole Morison, the former chicken farmer featured in Food, Inc., will tell the story of her 23 years working within the industrial poultry system, in which growers must agree to practices that cause water and land pollution, mistreat animals and produce birds full of antibiotics. Currently an activist for the rights of family farmers, Morrison will share harrowing insights she gained and lessons she uses to help farmers improve local food systems. She will be joined by farmers Norman and Aimee Gunsell of Mountain Ranch OrganicallyGrown, who raise 500-800 chickens at a time—organically and on pasture—and sell the birds at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The Gunsells will speak about their commitment to sustainable poultry and what that means, and tell how chicken eaters can find better alternatives to factory-farmed meat.

Michael Pollan, author of Food Rules, In Defense of Food, and The Omnivore's Dilemma, will introduce the panelists and frame the debate. Our moderator will be Anya Fernald, who launched the Slow Food Nation event and now supports the development of values-driven food businesses through her company, Live Culture.

The panel will begin promptly at 6:30 and end at 8:00. A reception with farmers' market refreshments will follow.

Tickets are $5.00 and available through brown paper tickets. Some tickets may also be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.