3 Sessions in March 2023
Building strong community food networks where we live can move us powerfully toward our vision for functioning local and regional systems that support regenerative farming and provide all people with the nourishing foods they want and need. To explore how communities around the country are making this happen, in March 2023 the Land Stewardship Project is hosting three learning circles focused on the book Building Community Food Webs, by Ken Meter.
Join us for just one session, or all three! Each session we’ll gather on Zoom for two hours — beginning at 7 p.m. — to discuss major themes from the book and generate ideas for our own communities. Please register individually for each session you wish to attend by clicking on the titles below. Questions about getting signed up? Reach out to LSP’s Elizabeth Makarewicz via e-mail.
Details on the 3 Learning Circles
Session 1 — March 15: Building Market Power for Farmers
Assignment:
Read Chapter 2 (Montana) and Chapter 5 (northeastern Indiana)
Additional themes:
• Building strong state and regional networks.
• Bringing farmers into the work of the EDA community
• Economic development and food business clusters
• Low-income residents
• Welcoming immigrants
• Building wealth in rural areas
• Collaboration across local units of governments to support regional efforts (counties)
Session 2 — March 22: Building Equity and Investing in Traditional, Indigenous Culture and Practices for Food Production, Health, and Spirituality
Assignment:
Read Chapter 3 (Hawaii) and Chapter 4 (Tuscon, Arizona)
Additional Themes:
• Building the capacity and voice of low-income residents
• Institutional markets
• Youth engagement
• Health
• Urban food production
• Working with schools
• Advocacy and empowerment into local governance
Session 3 — March 29: Changing How We Think About Food System Economics
Assignment:
Read Conclusion Chapter (pages 249-262)
This session will feature a discussion with Ken Meter
Additional Themes:
• Action Networks
• Systems levers
• Business Clusters
• Policy