TRAVERSE CITY -- Marty Heller probably could be making big money working for a drug company, since he's a chemical engineer sporting a doctorate in pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Instead, Heller carves out a living growing organic vegetables in Leelanau County, where he enjoys life as a Bioneer.
"For me, somewhere along the path, I felt that I really couldn't in good faith work in that industry," Heller said. "The stuff that came out of the end of the pipeline was something that was going to make the company money."
Heller is a keynote speaker for the sixth annual Great Lakes Bioneers Conference that kicks off today at Northwestern Michigan College and continues through Sunday. He embodies what the conference and the Bioneers movement is all about -- folks who've weaved their interest in ecology and social issues into their everyday lives.
"There's a lot of people that are interested in these issues," said Bob Russell, an event organizer. "It's not just an environmental conference, but it's about social justice, as well."
Heller, who grew up on a family farm near Chelsea, will discuss his background in natural farming and debut part of a documentary video he's produced about dozens of Community Supported Agriculture farms he's visited in Michigan.
Other opening-day events include sessions on challenges facing migrant workers in northern Michigan, wind energy in Michigan, and integrating social activism into family life. Weekend programs include sessions on natural and healthy foods, green building and marine ecology.
Several programs will be broadcast in from other Bioneers conferences around the country.
This year marks the 18th anniversary of the original Bioneers conference in California, which beams portions of its lineup to 19 satellite conferences, including the Traverse City event, the oldest regional conference in the country. Around 600 participants are expected over the weekend as attendance grows each year, thanks to more participation from northern Michigan residents.
Organizers said the conference is gaining in popularity because it offers practical solutions to dealing with environmental issues and hands-on advice on how people can improve their daily lives.
"It's an energetic experience, rather than a draining experience," said Sarna Salzman of SEEDS, a local nonprofit group that helps sponsor the event.
Russell said organizers have worked more arts and entertainment into the event over the years. There's a concert tonight and a documentary film showing on Saturday night, and local artist Glenn Wolff will lead a participatory art project in the lobby of the Milliken Auditorium.
High-quality food is a popular feature. Locally grown food is prepared by area chefs and served by NMC's catering students during the conference to underscore the region's fresh food offerings.
On the Web at www.glbconference.org
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