18 Sep 7th Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference
Up and at ‘em. It’s time for the 7th Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference! Looking to know more about local food policy and regulations? Have you been waiting all year for a conference specifically focused on creating change in our local food system through activism both at the policy and community level? Well, wait no more.
This year, the conference, organized by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) will be held from September 22nd- 23rd in Bastrop, Texas. It kicks off with two pre-conference workshops: 1) Activism 101, with an amazing, experienced activists Steve Bruno, Patti Lovera, and Judith McGeary, sharing their knowledge on how to effectively organize for change and 2) Keeping it Local: Food Policy in Austin- a panel discussion with the City of Austin’s Sustainable Urban Agriculture & Community Garden Program about the city’s recent efforts to enhance Austin’s local food economy.
Sunday’s main sessions have a lot in store for participants. There are two tracks to choose from throughout the conference. The first day includes important topics such as: GMO perspectives from farm to store, a conversation on community food access, industry insider views on GMOs, affects of international fair trade, an informative talk on raw milk, and recent local initiatives and challenges with urban farm regulation, building community and reaching out to schools.
Sunday evening participants are in for the tastiest of treats. Award-winning Dai Due chef Jesse Griffiths will prepare an imaginative supper feast created with a mission in mind. The menu will take diners on a visionary journey to discover what their food will be in the future. Dai Due serves fresh, local foods produced in a fair and equitable way and supports farmers and ranchers who are striving to improve the quality of our food. As diners dine, Dr. Francis Thicke will serve up a satiating keynote speech.
It only gets better on Monday, folks. If you’ve found yourself pondering over the farm bill, FDA food safety regulations, water planning and policy, or the politics of organics, you’re in luck. The conference has you covered with enlightening sessions precisely covering these, at times, complicated and seemingly inaccessible topics. There’s even a session on how to fundraise to get exactly what you need! And who doesn’t need that?
For lunch, you’ll settle in with representatives Lois Kolkhorst and Eddie Rodriguez to gain insight into Texas legislators’ perspectives on food and farm. Afterward, participants will have the option to be a part of an informative conversation about new Texas local food laws or join a valuable discussion on communicating effectively with the public and the media.
In the final discussions of the day there will be dialog with experts on food hubs and a panel discussion with amazing chefs followed by a wrap-up and closing remarks.
As you can see, there’s going to be a lot of knowledge sharing going on in Bastrop, Texas this weekend. Come on out. You won’t want to miss the chance to connect with incredible people and learn more ways to collectively create change within our food system. See you there!
For more information on the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance go here.
For more information on the Farm and Food Leadership Conference go here.
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