SHEPHERDSTOWN -- A trendsetting organic farmer from Virginia will speak Nov. 6 on the campus of Shepherd University in a presentation sandwiched between showings of two independent documentaries on what we eat, "Food Inc." and "Fresh: The Movie."

The talk by Joel Salatin, whose innovations at a 550-acre farm in Swoope, Va., are discussed prominently in both films, is free to the public. The 500-seat Frank Center for the Arts is the setting for the evening, with the first film starting at 7 p.m.

Salatin also is featured in Michael Pollan's 2006 book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals," and is himself an author. His most recent book, "Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal: War Stories From the Local Food Front," debuted two years ago.

"Joel Salatin is a very dynamic speaker and a lot of people in the area are excited about having him here in person," said Judi McIntyre, a Shepherd University administrator who helped organize the event as part of the school's "One Book, One Community" program. This year's selection is "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.

"Shepherdstown is a 'with it' kind of place where many, many residents have adopted the idea of eating locally whenever possible," McIntyre said. "People really make a point to seek out farmers markets and local suppliers for eggs and meat. There's even a restaurant in town that uses all local ingredients."

The co-sponsor of Friday's event is the American Conservation Film Festival. This year's festival will include the screening of more than two dozen other films in four Jefferson County venues between Nov. 4 and 8.

This year's lineup includes indie films and broadcast productions that were available only in limited theatrical release, each with a focus on a conservation issues such as water, food, coal, climate, culture, flora, fauna, fish, birds and lifestyle choices.

For a list of the festival's films and other special events, go online to www.conservationfilm.org or call (304) 876-7373.

'John Brown's Body' slated

Shepherdstown this month will host performances of "John Brown's Body," the two-act play based on the 1928 Pulitzer Prize-winning epic poem by Stephen Vincent Benet.

The play, originally adapted for Broadway in the 1950s and starring Raymond Massey, Dame Judith Anderson and Tyrone Power, is seldom performed today.

The Harpers Ferry Historic Town Foundation is sponsoring the performances at St. Agnes Catholic Church, starting this week and continuing through Nov. 22.

This fall marks 150 years since Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, hoping to set the stage for a nationwide slave revolt, and his subsequent trial on charges of treason. He was hanged in Charles Town on Dec. 2, 1859.

To buy tickets in advance or get other information, go online to www.historicharpersferry.com or call (304) 535-2030.