Grow Organic, along with the Hood River Master Gardeners and Gorge Grown presents a lecture on “An objective look at Genetically Modified Foods (GM-Foods).”  This lecture will present an objective overview of genetically modified foods, so that attendees will have the research-based resources they need to make informed decisions about their food system and what they choose to eat.  Specifically, the lecture is divided into 4 parts:  1) what is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?, 2) how do you make a GMO?, 3) GMOs in our food system, 4) potential benefits/concerns with GMOs.

The intent of this talk is to inform, rather than persuade.  It is designed for anyone with an interest in the topic, or who is interested in learning more about food systems.

 The lecturer, Gail Langellotto, earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Maryland.  Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture at OSU, where she also serves as the statewide coordinator of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program.  Her research and Extension program is diverse, and includes: 1) research on how gardening practices impact bees; 2) research on whether gardening increases vegetable consumption and/or science achievement; 3) Extension programs on pesticide reduction and alternative forms of pest control in gardens and 4) developing curricula to teach children healthy eating via gardening.  She is also part of an international team of researchers who are looking at the potential impacts that growing genetically modified rice in Vietnam might have regional biodiversity.

This lecture will be held on Friday, October 26th at 6:00PM at Springhouse Cellars in Hood River. There will be no charge. Food will be available by the Four and Twenty Blackbirds food cart.