Ninth Annual CFSC Conference
It's Homegrown: Cultivating the Roots of Real Change

October 6-9, 2005
Atlanta, Georgia

Co-sponsored by: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Atlanta Urban Gardening Program, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Georgia Organics, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Southern SAWG

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Jump to: Field Trips & Short Courses - Plenary & Keynote - Receptions - Workshops - Logistics - Scholarships & Work Trades - Schedule

For more than four decades, Atlanta has been linked to the civil rights movement. A city, rich in southern culture and tradition, continues to be the pulse of social justice and change. This spirit calls CFSC to bring its 9th Annual Community Food Security Conference to Atlanta with the theme of "It's Homegrown: Cultivating the roots of real change.

Along with the myriad of local and historical sites from the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Jimmy Carter Center, Atlanta offers a unique food system, including excellent community gardens, nearby farms, food banks, and even the headquarters of Coca-Cola, ready for exploration by conference attendees.

Delicious Southern food traditions will also be featured throughout the conference. As always, we strive to source as much of the conference's food directly from local farmers, ranchers, and processors. This year's event will be held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in the heart of Atlanta's downtown, accessible by public transit. Their famous "10 layer bed" offers our attendee the benefit of resting in the lap of luxury after a full day of stimulating activities.

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This Year's Theme

A central theme of this year's conference is the role of race and class in the food system. Racism is central to the problems of the food system and needs to be addressed in the programming and policy we design to build community food systems. (For a more complete statement of the relationships between race, class and the food system we refer you to work of Rachel Slocum on the Outreach and Diversity Committee webpage.)

The CFSC has recently embarked on its own internal change process to understand and dismantle racism in its own work. The conference theme is derived from the Coalition's desire to educate the membership on why this is important.

The following events at the conference reflect this theme:

• The conference plenary, focusing on grassroots leadership and federal farm policy
• A conference track, Race, Power and Justice in the Food System, consisting of five workshops;
• A civil rights short course by M. Farook Sait, Esq., Special Assistant to the Director, USDA Office of Civil Rights
• A civil rights tour designed by the Atlanta planning committee.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6

Note field trips and short courses are not included in the conference registration fees and must be purchased separately.

Field Trips
All field trips leave from the Westin Peachtree Hotel. Full day field trips include a light breakfast, snacks and lunch. Half day field trips do not include lunch.

9 am - 4:30 pm

Douglasville Farm Tour
Explore some of most innovative and sustainable farms outside of Atlanta on this day-long trip. You'll stop at Gaia Gardens, a 5 acre certified organic community farm. Next stop is Glover Family Farm, located 25 miles from downtown Atlanta on property that has been in the family since 1823. They market to local farmers markets, including WIC markets and on-farm. In the afternoon, you'll visit Hodge Common Sense Beef's pastured livestock operation, where the cows are not fed antibiotics, hormones, or animal by-products.

Civil Rights and Carter Center Tour
Visit some of the most important sites that gave birth to the civil rights movement in the country. First stop is the Jimmy Carter Center, located in a wooded, 35 acre park just five minutes from downtown Atlanta, it includes formal gardens, a cherry orchard, and waterfalls tucked between two small lakes. Next stop is Auburn Avenue, which was the main artery through one neighborhood that came to symbolize prosperity for African Americans. You'll stop at Auburn Avenue Research Library, which has a wealth of primary resources that represent the life of a civil and human rights activist. There will be plenty of time to check out famous sites associated with Martin Luther King, including his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Freedom Center, and his tomb. Other stops will include the APEX Museum and key Southern Christian Leadership Conference sites.

Anti-Hunger Tour
This field trip will take you to the most important and innovative anti-hunger initiatives in Atlanta. First stop is Project Open Hand, which has been providing meals to men, women and children living with HIV/Aids with meals since its inception in 1988. The next stop will be the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which provides food and other donated products to over 750 nonprofit organizations serving 38 North Georgia counties. After lunch, the trip continues with a stop at the Georgia Hunger Coalition, which has an organic garden, a farmers market, and thrift store. Almost around the corner you will visit the Atlanta Tool Bank. It loans out tools and books on repairs and building and coordinates the use of donated materials for optimum use. The last stop will be Hosea Feed The Hungry, which provides meals on holidays and numerous services to the area's homeless and poor.

9 am - 4:30 pm & 9 am - 12:30 pm

Community Garden Tour (Full Day and Half Day)
The community garden tour will visit a wide range of community gardens including gardens in public housing communities, a city park, a social services agency, and two formerly vacant lots. These gardens were selected to provide the most time in the garden with the least traveling. Local gardeners will be on hand to tell their garden's story. An abbreviated half day trip is also available.

Short Courses

Networks to Coalitions: Strengthening our Work Together
Westin Hotel 9-5 pm
This course is for staff and leaders working on a program, issue, or project that involves cooperation with other organizations. Come with partners from your group and:
· Learn typical models for cooperation
· Discuss working with new kinds of partners
· Learn best practices for addressing common tensions (money, decision making, trust, etc.)
· Strengthen your ability to help your group deal with confusion and conflicts
· Share experiences, solve problems, and increase the strategic impact of cooperation
We'll use our new publication: Networks to Coalitions-A Toolkit for Activists.
Course leader: Barbara Rusmore, Institute for Conservation Leadership

Is Your Organization Protecting the Civil Rights of the People You Work With?
Westin Hotel, 2-6 pm
Programs that receive federal funding have ethical and legal responsibilities to uphold the civil rights of all people. But even in well-intentioned organizations, all too often this does not happen, sometimes because of a lack of knowledge of the maze of requirements. Learn about what your organization is required to do, how to recognize and avoid common (and often hidden) patterns of discrimination, and how to ensure that your program honors the civil rights of those you work with. The course leader guarantees that it will not be boring!
Course leader: Farook Sait, Office of Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Building Effective Policy Campaigns: Skills for Making Your Voice Heard
Westin Hotel, 2 - 6 pm
Grassroots strategies for community food security require resources and often need to remove barriers to thrive. Good policy can help sustain good work at the community level, but only if effective policy campaigns succeed to change the rules or provide new resources. Learn the basics of a good policy campaign, including developing priorities to deliver good policy, working with legislators and their staff, using media to your advantage and bringing powerful, diverse and local voices to your causes.
Course leaders: Thomas Forster, Community Food Security Coalition; Kathy Ozer, National Family Farm Coalition; Mark Winne, CFSC, and other guests.

Off-site short Courses
Transportation is provided to these meetings. Please be at the registration desk at the Westin one hour before the start time of the meeting. Latecomers are not guaranteed transportation.

Certifiably Organic!
Gaia Gardens, 9-5 pm
Be at registration at the Westin by 8 am to ensure transportation to the meeting site
Location: Gaia Gardens: Transportation leaves from the Westin Hotel at 8:00 am Georgia Organics and Gaia Gardens present an all-day workshop and field tour for growers interested in becoming certified organic. Experienced educators and farmers will offer a step-by-step overview of the certification and inspection process, including a review of organic principles, the National Organic Program rules, recordkeeping, labeling and choosing a certifying agent that is right for you. All attendees will receive a certification notebook and lunch. Transportation for CSFC attendees from the conference hotel is also included.
Course leaders: Relinda Walker, Georgia Organics; Daniel Parson, Gaia Gardens; Terry Hollifield, Georgia Crop Improvement Association

Seed Savers Program & Heirloom Plants: Conservation Of Genetic Material Related To Food Security
DeKalb Environmental Education Center, 1:30-5:30 pm
Be at registration at the Westin by 12:30 pm to ensure transportation to the meeting site.
This event is a hybrid of a tour and a short course. It will include a tour of the DeKalb Environmental Education Center. Speakers will discuss the GA Seeds savers Program, and how memory banking plays a critical role in retaining the knowledge needed for the proper cultivation of these heirloom plant varieties. They will also discuss the role of the conservation of genetic material related to food security, as well as the role of legumes for nutrition and as an important part of a whole agricultural system. Course leaders: Brad Morris, ARS; Charlie Monroe, UGA Cooperative Extension

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FRIDAY- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7-9

Plenary: Real Change in the Farm Bill
Friday October 7, 9 am - 11 am

Next year's Farm Bill offers an historic opportunity to make real change in the nation's food and farm policy. This roundtable will bring together leading experts in federal policy with grassroots activists to discuss the changes and leadership needed to improve the food system for rural and urban communities. It will begin with an introduction to federal food and farm policy and what's up for grabs in this upcoming Farm Bill. The plenary continues with a description of the CFSC's vision for change and draft federal policy blueprint. In the second half of the roundtable, we will hear from youth, sustainable agriculture, and urban food justice activists about what policies are needed to really change the food system for their communities. Finally, a seasoned Congressional staffer will provide a counterpoint about what he expects to be politically feasible in the current Congress. There will be plenty of time for questions by the audience, who will also have the opportunity during two subsequent workshop sessions to discuss the Coalition's upcoming Policy Blueprint.
Moderator : Thomas Forster, CFSC; Molly Anderson, Independent Researcher; Keecha Harris, Harris and Associates and CFSC Board; Brandon Nahsonhoya , Natwani Coalition; Savi Horne, Landloss Prevention Project; Ian Marvey, Added Value; Derek Miller, Office of Sen. Harkin (invited)

Keynote Address
Saturday October 8, 9 am - 10:30 am

Michael Thurmond
Michael L. Thurmond is the first African American elected Georgia State Labor Commissioner in 1998. As commissioner, he oversees some four thousand employees while serving 90,000 families. Mr. Thurmond was also elected to the Georgia Assembly and headed up Georgia's Welfare to Work Program. He is a noted historian, having authored Freedom: An African American History of Georgia. Mr. Thurmond was born on a farm in Georgia, and will speak to issues of poverty and family farming in Georgia.

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Receptions

Opening Reception
Thursday October 6, 6 pm - 10 pm
Come meet CFSC staff and Board members. Light refreshments provided.

Southern Dinner & Silent Auction
Friday October 7, 7 - 10 pm
This dinner will be hosted at one of the oldest historical sites in Atlanta (Atlanta Freight Depot). During the 1800's and 1900's this building served as the main Freight Depot for the well traveled Georgia Railroad. You'll enjoy great Southern cooking featuring Georgia grown food, as well as music and Southern hospitality. A silent auction and talk by Elizabeth Omalani are also on tap. Ms. Omalani is a leading advocate for the homeless in Atlanta, and is is the daughter of Dr. Hosea Williams, an executive staff member of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A Taste of the South
Saturday October 8, 7 pm - midnight
At this not-to-be-missed culinary extravaganza, you will have the opportunity to feast on some of the finest southern cuisine, including fresh water shrimp from Ft. Valley State University, low-country boil from South Georgia, Memphis style barbecue ribs from Tennessee, different mixed salad greens from Alabama, fish from Mississippi, collard greens and black eye peas from Alabama and fine beverages from Georgia. This event will take place at the Fulton County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H camp, nestled on 35 acres within the city of Atlanta. After dining, you will experience a series of stories that will be portrayed in the form of a play and personal experience. Dancing and games and activities for the whole family will follow.

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Workshops

Health Track:

Healthy Food, Healthy Hospitals, and Healthy Communities
Friday, 2:15pm
This session will highlight farm to hospital efforts nationwide, and explain why these efforts are important. It will describe the Health Care Without Harm campaign to encourage more hospitals to adopt similar practices, and explore tools and resources people can use to make similar changes in their own hospitals or health care facilities.
Speakers Marie Kulick, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Moira Beery, Center for Food and Justice; Mark Vallianatos, Urban and Environmental Policy Institute; Leslie Mikkelsen, Prevention Institute

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Local Food System Track:

Building Local Food Systems through Schoolyard CSA Gardens
Saturday, 11:00am
The Schoolyard CSA Garden Initiative establishes public schoolyard gardens in Fairbanks, Alaska that function as dynamic experiential learning sites during the school year and as youth-run CSA programs during the summer months. Join us to gain the tools to begin and maintain a similar successful program, focusing on potential for expansion.
Speaker: Megan Phillips, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center

Building Local Wealth by Building Food Value Networks
Friday, 11:15am
Since people eat three meals a day, food generates a great deal of economic activity-yet builds little wealth for inner-city or rural residents. This workshop will help you use powerful economic tools in building stronger local food systems, using new findings from Minnesota, New York, Iowa, California, and Hawaii.
Speakers: Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center; Hank Herrera, Center for Popular Research, Education, and Policy

The Organic Valley Story: National Vision, Regional Identity, Local Action
Saturday, 11:00am
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, the nation's largest organic farmer cooperative has enabled over 700 farm families to remain on the land. By developing regional farmer pools to serve local markets, they have maintained their local farmer identity. Learn about how Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative has built a formidable presence in the marketplace by staying true to its mission and creating a meaningful connection with consumers.
Speakers: Sara Tedeschi, Greg Welsh, Harry Lewis Organic Valley

Reconnecting to Place: Imagination and Naming in Urban Food Systems
Sunday, 10:30am
A creative and meaningful dimension of local food systems is the reconnection to place and to the natural world. This workshop will explore how we can foster this lively, heritage-filled, and community-creating spirit in food security work. Such dimensions support intergenerational communication, build rich networks of local food stakeholders, and draw in the broadest possible constituency.
Speakers: Janice Sikes Rogers and Will Rogers, Intergenerational Dialogue; Sally Wylde, Oakhurst Community Garden; Peggy F. Barlett, Emory University.

Building The Local Food System Through Commercial Kitchens
Friday, 2:15pm
Almost every community has some form of a commercial kitchen as part of their local food system. But many of these kitchens only experience limited use and may only serve one purpose. "Building The Local Food System Through Commercial Kitchens" will focus on expanding commercial kitchen usage by reviewing ACEnet's involvement in a community gleaning project and through exploring national trends and real world examples, all in an interactive format.
Speakers: Larry Fisher, Appalachian Center for Economic Networks

PowerMap It! Thinking Globally and Building Locally
Friday, 2:15pm
Food insecurity does not happen in a vacuum -- environmental, governmental, local, and global economic needs all influence our ability to create change. Collaboration with cross-issue entities supports and sustains food system work. This session will engage attendees in an interactive experience of for navigating collaborative possibilities in a multi-ethnic, mixed-class community. Join Community Harvest in a practice of "power mapping" your community's collaborative possibilities!
Speakers: Ariele Foster, Regina Dyson, Community Harvest

Local Food in the Southern Appalachians
Saturday, 2:30pm
Workshop participants will learn how to start and develop a grass-roots local food campaign on a budget. Find out how the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) started and developed their highly successful campaign, the most important tools, and how and why you can develop or expand your own campaign.
Speakers: Charlie Jackson, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

The How-To's of Developing Farmer Managed Cooperatives
Sunday, 10:30am
This workshop will include some of the basic strategies for success of cooperative development, case studies of cooperatives, and where to go for resources and TA on developing cooperatives
Speakers: Kristen Markley, CFSC; Anthony Flaccavento, Appalachian Sustainable Development; Ben Burkett, Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Kate Smith, Keystone Development Center

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Policy Track:

Policy Advocacy 101
Friday, 2:15pm
Come learn the basics of federal and local policy, how it affects community food security issues, and how you can play an influential role. You will learn the basics of the legislative process and how a piece of legislation translates into meaningful programs for you. This session will also provide how-to skills on educating your legislators about important nutrition issues and how you can know the best time and method to do so. You as a constituent have a powerful role to play. Come see how you can be involved!
Moderator: Thomas Forster, CFSC

Farm Bill Listening Session: Part One
Friday, 11:15am
With the next US Farm Bill expected in 2007, members of the Community Food Security Coalition and other nutrition and agriculture partners are shaping their priorities. Part one of the listening session will gather your policy ideas, interests and concerns related to upcoming opportunities in the Farm Bill.
Moderator: Policy committee and staff of CFSC

Farm Bill Listening Session: Part Two
Saturday, 2:30pm
With the converging interests of community food, anti-hunger, nutrition, conservation and sustainable agriculture groups in the upcoming Farm Bill, this second listening session will gather input for policy priorities that build towards a blueprint for Healthy Foods for Healthy Communities in the next Farm Bill.
Moderator: CFSC policy staff

Regional Organizing Initiatives for Community Food Security Coalition Building Lessons
Saturday, 2:30pm
In 2004 four new regional organizing initiatives were selected in the the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Northwest. Representatives of these initiatives and the California Food and Justice Coalition will share their experiences in multi-stakeholder coalitions to bring common cause to work on building greater food security through strengthening community food systems.
Moderator: Heather Fenney, CFSC

Regional Organizing for Federal Policy Change: Rising Urban Rural Coalitions
Friday, 2:15pm
United by interests in healthy communities through good nutrition, improving low income food access and market opportunities for small and medium family farmers, new policy tools are being shaped to address these cross-cutting interests. Case studies from the regional organizing initiatives will be presented followed by discussion in the context of the Farm Bill.
Moderator: Fern Gale Estrow, Society for Nutrition Education

Food and Farm Policy Reforms for the 2007 Farm Bill: What Should Be Proposed?
Saturday, 11:00am
Food security, sustainable agriculture, family farm, and environmental organizations across the country are assessing current farm and food policy and developing policy reform proposals in anticipation of the 2007 Farm Bill. This workshop will report on efforts by one cross-sector collaborative and invite discussion of other efforts to advance policy blueprints that would improve access to healthy foods, support agricultural entrepreneurship and market development, expand and reform stewardship incentives, and improve the viability of small- and mid-sized farms.
Speakers: Allen Hance, Northeast-Midwest Institute; Ann Wright, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Scott Faber, Environmental Defense; Jimmy Daukas, American Farmland Trust; Ellen Vollinger, FRAC

Urban Planning Strategies to Improve Local Food Systems: An Overview of Three Locales
Sunday, 8:30am
This session will overview several types of land-use policies used to improve local food systems, and will discuss three particular locales. Presenters will summarize the organizing effort, research conducted, planning process and political lessons learned. Topics include fast food and community garden zoning, and developing wholesale farmers' market, and agricultural land preservation.
Speakers: Raquel Bournhonesque, CFSC; Kami Pothukuchi, Wayne State University; Ted Spitzer, President, President, Market Ventures, Inc.

How to Build and Win A Campaign
Friday, 11:15am
Presenters will share how statewide policy change has relied heavily on a strategy that combined grassroots advocacy with timely research, coalition building, and legislative advocacy. In three separate campaigns, Hartford Food System and its partners have learned through mistakes, strokes of luck and wise maneuvering how to build inexpensive campaigns in the food and agriculture community with a higher likelihood of success.
Speakers: Jiff Martin & Jerry Jones, Hartford Food System

Building Family Farmer and Farmworker Voices Aginst the WTO
Saturday, 2:30pm
This workshop will address food security in the context of food sovereignty and the next WTO meeting scheduled for December 2005 in Hong Kong. The legislative fight in the U.S. on the CAFTA agreement will help set the stage for this discussion about the WTO. The session will address concerns of farmers, farmworkers, and a representative from the European Farmers Coordination -- who are waging similar campaigns to change current farm policy.
Speakers: Dena Hoff, farmer; Carlos Marentes, Border Agricultural Workers; Paul Nicholson, farmer from the Basque region of Spain; Kathy Ozer, National Family Farm Coalition

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Food Access Track:

Creating Food Capacity in Baltimore City
Sunday, 8:30am
This workshop will examine coalition-building in Baltimore City from both an organizational and grassroots movement perspective. Each speaker will describe innovative programs in which they are involved, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face while developing a Baltimore Food System Coalition. The interactive discussion between speakers and participants will focus on soliciting best practices and feedback as the coalition moves forward.
Speakers: Janna Howley, Baltimore Food System Coalition; Brian Carr, "Food, Family & Fun" Project at the Franciscan Youth Center; Gretchen Heilman, Vice President, The Village: A Natural Foods Cooperative; Luke Seipp-Williams, Youth Educator, Greater Homewood Community Corporation; Kate Joyce, Project Coordinator, The Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network

Empowering Change Through Skills Building & Teamwork
Sunday, 10:30am
The Happy Kitchen in Austin and the national education resource FamilyCook Productions present innovative approaches to empower community members tomake positive changes in their food behaviors. By employing culinary skills building and fundamental nutrition/food understanding, participants' experience success in making healthful behavior changes and are empowered to teach others throughout their community.
Speakers: Sarah Duzinski Vergara, Sustainable Food Center; Lynn Fredericks, Family Cook Productions

Developing Healthy Food Retail in Urban Neighborhoods
Saturday, 11:00am
Do low-income people pay more for food? How can we work with grocery and corner store owners to increase access to affordable, nutritious, and local food? How can grocery stores in low-income communities incorporate community food security values while maintaining affordability? This workshop will answer these questions and more.
Speakers: John Cook, Boston Medical Center; Dana Harvey, West Oakland Food Project Collaborative; Kami Pothukuchi, Wayne State University; James Johnson Piett, The Food Trust

Los Angeles, Louisville, Fresno Oh My! Profiles of Three Community Food Assessment Projects Providing a Basis for Action
Sunday, 10:30am
Community Food Assessments (CFA) are a useful tool for examining a community's food assets and needs. This session will highlight three types of CFAs, in various stages, all taking place in communities of color. This session hopes to inspire participants to think about how CFAs are an effective organizing and educational tool.
Speakers: Cassia Herron, Community Farm Alliance; Steve Diaz, Los Angeles Community Action Network; Neelam Sharma, Community Services Unlimited, Inc, Ron Strochlic, California Institute for Rural Studies

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Race, Justice and Power Track:

Change and Continuity: 1500 Years of Hopi Farming
Friday, 11:15am
The Hopi have continuously occupied their ancestral lands in northeastern Arizona for over 1200 years and are stewards of the oldest farming traditions in North America. This session will explore the history of Hopi farming, the challenges which the Hopi people currently face, and present efforts to preserve and restore their agrarian culture.
Speakers: Andrew Lewis, Natwani Coalition; Louella Nahsonhoya, Natwani Education Program Manager; Brandon Nahsonhoya, Natwani Youth Coordinator; Eric Polingyouma, Hopi Traditional Farmer

Working with Diversity
Friday, 2:15pm
What are some of the barriers-in policy, in attitude, and in program structures-that limit diversity in the community food security movement? How can we identify and address these barriers as individuals, as organizations, and as a larger food system? This session invites the full participation of attendees to share their insights, voice their concerns and propose action strategies to incorporate meaningful and diverse participation in community food systems.
Speaker: Rasha Abdulhadi, CSA Learning Center

Addressing Culture, Race and Class in Community Food Systems Work
Saturday, 2:30pm
This session will be led by an intergenerational group of community food systems leaders who are actively engaged in social justice issues in the context of their work. The presenters will candidly share the obstacles and achievements they have made in addressing these issues and the role culture, race and class plays in the context of their work and the communities they serve.
Speakers: Erika Allen, Growing Power, Inc.; Akiko Minami, Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems; Hank Herrera, The Center for Popular Research, Education and Policy; Ian Marvey, Added Value; Anna Viertel, Growing Power

Stories from Communities of Color About their Food Systems
Saturday, 11:00am
This session will be an opportunity to dialogue with leaders in communities of color about their approaches to secure food systems in their communities. Participants will learn of food issues in communities of color and how creative approaches are blossoming all over the country.
Speakers: Shirley Sherrod, Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Marion Simon, Kentucky State University; Ben Burkett, Mississippi Association of Cooperatives; Margaret Compos, Algonativo Farm; Lydia Villanueva, C.A.S.A. del Llano; Louella Nahsonhoya, Nat'wani Tu'sawyaqam Coalition; Morse Brown, Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems

Afrikan Centred Community Food Security Development
Sunday 8:30am
Through this workshop, participants will have the opportunity learn about the innovative collaborative experiences of CFS curriculum development and urban agriculture programs in the Afrikan American & Canadian communities; and Toronto's Forum on Race and Food Security: An Anti-Racism Agenda. Presenter will explore how these programs tie in with broader educational and community development goals.
Speakers: Malik Yakini, Nsoroma Institute; Anan Lololi, Afri-Can FoodBasket

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Farm to Cafeteria Track:

Factories, Farm workers, and College Food
Saturday 2:30pm
Explore how campus food procurement can be a catalyst for building and strengthening local food systems, what strategies are effective in changing campus food procurement, and what ties - and tensions - there are between distinct but related movements. Speakers will represent fair trade and anti-sweatshop movements, farm worker advocacy, and those working to change the food environment on college campuses.
Speakers: Kristen Markley, CFSC; Crissie McMullen, Grow Montana; Isaac Grody-Patinkin, United Students for Fair Trade; Allie Robbins, United Students Against Sweatshops

Remaking Campus Food Service
Friday, 11:15am
Participants in this session will learn about, discuss and share their experiences with efforts by non-profits, universities and food service companies to incorporate more local and sustainable foods in campus cafeterias.
Speakers: Scott Exo, The Food Alliance; Sam Currie, Bon Appétit Management Company; Melina Shannon-Dipietro, Yale Sustainable Food Project

Rethinking School Lunch
Friday, 2:15pm
Based on Rethinking School Lunch, the Web guide published by the Center for Ecoliteracy, this workshop explores an innovative vision: school lunch as part of an integrated curriculum using local food systems as the context for learning, while restoring the connections of farms to communities, meals to culture, health to environment, and learning to meaningful experience.
Speakers: Zenobia Barlow and Janet Brown, Center for Eco-Literacy

Home Grown and Healthy: NY Farms Feeding NY Children!
Saturday, 11:00am
In the context of the Empire State and its Big Apple, this session provides insights into "ramping up" Farm-to-School programs as powerful vehicles for food system change and improved health. Learn about a model Farm-to-School assessment, creative distribution mechanisms, emerging value-added ventures, innovative curricula, and the NYC SchoolFood Plus Initiative.
Speakers: William Doherty, New York City Department of Education; Kathleen Adamick, Food Change; Jennifer L. Wilkins, Cornell University; Karen Wadsworth, Food Change

Grassroots Organizing with Institutions: Farm to School
Sunday, 8:30am
Attendees will understand the importance of building a farm to school committee and the components of that committee; how to build relationships with food service directors; how to bring farmers and food service together in a meaningful way; learn what the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project has done to help farmers transition from tobacco into the farm to school market; and how to combine economic development with social justice issues
Speakers: Emily Jackson, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Deb Webb, Community Farm Alliance

Get Smart, Eat Local: Seeding and Growing a Farm to School Program in NH
Sunday, 10:30am
The NH Farm to School (NH FTS) Program is designed to connect NH farms and schools. In this workshop, you will explore the challenges and opportunities of the NH FTS model, the varied ways that schools are integrating the program, the role education plays in the program, and tools you can use to begin or enhance your own farm to school project.
Speakers: Nathan Duclos, NH Farm to School Program, University of New Hampshire

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  No Track:

Community Gardens: Improving Access and Food Quality for Low Income Populations
Friday, 11:15am
Community gardening is an effective strategy for improving access and food quality for low income populations. There will be presentation of a range of community garden models and participants will engage in a participatory assets mapping exercise to explore how community gardens can be better integrated into community food systems.
Speakers: Betsy Johnson, American Community Gardening Association

Mapping Your Community Food Project: Using a Logic Model
Saturday, 11:00am & 2:30pm
Using a logic model to map your programs from start to finish will demonstrate how program design and implementation will produce positive outcomes for your community. In this workshop, participants will draft their own logic models, which may serve as the foundation for planning their proposed community food project and evaluation. Programs interested in applying for future CFP grant funds are encouraged to attend.
Speakers: Jeanette Abi-Nader, CFSC; Michelle Kobayashi & Kerry Lupher of National Research Center, Inc.

Community Food Animators Project: Using a Community Development Approach
Saturday, 2:30pm
Food programs in cities are often viewed in a narrow way, with outcomes focused on hunger alleviation. Hear how the Community Food Animators Project fostered partnerships of community organizations to develop food projects in diverse, under-served communities in 6 Toronto neighborhoods. The presentation will highlight strategies to encourage community organizations and municipal decision-makers to initiate and sustain food security projects.
Speakers: Jennifer Reynolds, FoodShare Toronto & Anan Lololi, Afri-Can FoodBasket

Applying the Ethics of Eating
Sunday, 8:30am
This workshop will demonstrate how to apply the ethics of eating to specific issues related to farm structure, treatment of animals, environmental impacts, and local food security. This session is for those wishing to work with faith communities as they build or expand community food security initiatives, and for faith-based practitioners who wish to further explore the ethical connections to their community food security work.
Speakers: Robert Gronski, National Catholic Rural Life Conference; Andrew Kang Bartlett, Presbyterian Church USA

In Language We Understand: Peer to Peer Training and Grass Roots Skill Building
Sunday, 8:30am
Over the past three years, the Rural Coalition and fifteen partner organizations have been involved in developing a truly grass-roots financial training curriculum for small and minority farmers. The program relies on a unique process of collaboration and peer-to-peer training. Join us for a discussion about the great potential in grass-roots skill development.
Speakers: Father Randy Eldridge, Homeworkers Organized for More Employment; Dorothy Barker, Operation Spring Plant; Katherine Minthorn Good Luck, Intertribal Agriculture Council; Chukou Thao, Small Farm Resources and Training Center; Hezekiah Gibson, United Farmers USA

Building Linkages Between Food Banks and Community Food Security
Friday, 2:15pm
An interactive discussion on organizing strategies to transform food banking in the U.S. Leading food bankers will describe the impact on their work of "Building the Bridge: Linking Food Banking and Community Food Security" (2005). What are the next steps - the policy changes, funding, advocacy, and local action to build a movement?
Speakers: Andy Fisher, CFSC; Bill Ayres, WHY; Sharon Thornberry, Oregon Food Bank

The BLAST Cadre: Local Food Systems, National Networking
Sunday, 8:30am
From creating high school clubs and implementing buy local campaigns to restoring cultural heritage, hear about the food systems work of young people around the country. Learn from The Food Project's BLAST Cadre model and realize the potential for asset sharing and networking on the national level.
Speakers: Mike Azzara, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey; Dru Montri, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; Monica Pless & Anim Steel, The Food Project; Roberto Nutlouis, Black Mesa Water Coalition

Community Food Projects: Program Planning Toward Funding Success
Sunday, 10:30am
This session reviews Community Food Projects (CFP), covering objectives, eligibility, funding, and the application and selection process, and tips for successful project planning and proposal preparation. Presenters then describe proposed outcome-based approaches to develop, review, select, and manage CFP projects, wherein proposals articulate steps to achieve defined and measurable outcomes. Strategies to incorporate outcome-based planning and proposal preparation will be addressed.
Speakers: Hugh Joseph, Tufts University; Elizabeth Tuckermanty, USDA CSREES

Nourishing Change: Multimedia Approaches to Outreach
Saturday, 11:00am
This panel will highlight how agribusiness and fast food use the media to shape public understanding about food security, and will showcase food security advocates who themselves are harnessing the power of film, music, and other media to educate and galvanize people to action. Meet individuals using media for social change, get a taste of film and music with a sustainable message, and discuss creative ways to use media in your own efforts.
Speakers: Wil J. Bullock, The Food Project; Johanna Divine, Flagstaff Foodlink; Shira Golding, MediaRights; Anna Lappe, Small Planet Institute

Community Food Security 101
Friday, 11:15am
An interactive introduction to community food security (CFS). Through group discussion, participatory exercises, and sharing examples, we’ll explore questions like: What is community food security? What does it look like? What can I do to promote it in my community?
Speakers: Kai Siedenburg, CFSC; Erika Allen, Growing Power; BLAST Youth Cadre member

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Atlanta Track:

Tools for Change: The Community Food Game
Friday, 11:15am
Learn a creative approach to tackling the misperception of food-insecurity in this country: this interactive exercise developed by the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Hunger 101 program includes role-play, discussion and breakout session. Demonstrates a great tool to engage community around the issue of insecurity. All participants receive curriculum materials.
Speakers: Lindy Wood, Atlanta Community Food Bank

Community Gardening Beyond the Seed
Saturday, 11:00am
Gardening is a means of advancing economic and educational opportunities in inner city communities. Beyond the Seed activities have made it possible for low income gardeners to benefit from city markets, production and sales of value added foods and nutritional education training.
Speakers: Bobby Wilson, Univ of GA Cooperative Extension; Louise Watley, Village at Carver; Mary Kemp, Tobie Grant Manor; Jerri Bergeron, Darnell Center, Martha Glenn, Ashview Community

The Use of Digital Pictures to Communicate Amongst Diverse Ethnic Urban Populations
Saturday, 2:30am
The selection and use of popular vegetables and fruits preferred by different ethnic groups tend to be the same. The names, however, change not only from one country to another but even in different regions of the same country. Recent advances in digital technology and lower cost have made it possible to such such images to communicate and conduct educational programs with different ethnic clients irregardless of their level of education.
Speakers: Marco Fonseca, GA Master Gardening Program Coordinator

Worm Castings - The Ultimate Amendment
Sunday, 8:30am
Even the Egyptians knew the benefits of worms in the Nile Delta and worshiped the as Gods. Using worm castings the right way can improve both the vegetative growth and the fruiting of plants. Organic gardening is made easier since its attributes beat the other amendments. A worm composter will be used to illustrate how castings are made and studies from the University of Georgia and Ohio State will be shown.
Speaker: Dr. Phil Edwards

Community Food Security: The Role of Minority Farmers in Establishing Regional Marketing/Food Systems
Friday, 2:15pm
What role does regional marketing systems play in community food security? Come join staff of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives as they discuss community food security, the role of regional marketing systems and the role of minority farmers in establishing regional marketing/food systems. The Federation is dedicated to community food security via building sustainable, local and regional food systems that are grounded in the cooperative principles and ensure access to affordable and nutritious food for all communities. One of the Federation primary goals is to build sustainable rural communities through land based economic development that is controlled at the local level.

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LOGISTICS

Hotel information and price
The Westin Peachtree Plaza is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Rates are $99 single or double. Call 1-800-937-8461. or visit the hotel website to make your reservations. The deadline for this special rate is September 5. Mention the Community Food Security Coalition conference when making your reservation.

Scholarships/work trades
We are no longer accepting applications for scholarships and work trades.

Exhibit space
Exhibit space is available. Full table rates are $100 for non-profits, $250 universities, $500 government agencies and for-profit business. Shared spaces are available. Call our office for more details, or register on the registration form.

Refunds
No refunds after September 23. No exceptions. All other refunds will incur a $25 processing fee. Any changes to your registration may also be subject to a $25 processing fee.

Youth/Young Adult Teams Wanted!
CFSC is partnering with The Food Project (TFP) to create a significant and meaningful youth presence at the 2005 Annual Conference. This collaboration is part of TFP's BLAST (Building Local Agricultural Systems Today) Initiative. BLAST's mission is to develop a network of young leaders who will build and advocate for sustainable, community-based food systems.

Youth/young adult teams (14-24) are invited to apply to participate in the conference. If selected, your team would join others from around the country for a Pre-Conference Training & Networking Day and for special workshops during the proceedings that will help youth and young adults share resources, build community, and learn skills to help them during the conference and in their work. Selected teams will also be eligible to apply for scholarships. For more information and applications, please contact Anim Steel at The Food Project: 617-442-1322 x17 or email blast@thefoodproject.org.

Low cost accommodations
Atlanta International Hostel, 223 Ponce de Leon Ave, about one mile from the hotel
Dorm rooms $20.95 Private rooms $40-$55. Family owned. http://www.hostel-atlanta.com/mainhostel.htm. 404-875-9449

For roommate arrangements, use our conference roommate bulletin board. Click "New Thread" to post a message. (You do not need to login or register to use the board.)

Getting there
We recommend using Casto Travel for low cost airfares. 831-426-2350. The Westin Hotel is conveniently located next to MARTA trains, with cheap and easy access to the airport. www.itsmarta.com

For carpooling arrangements, use our conference carpool bulletin board. Click "New Thread" to post a message. (You do not need to login or register to use the board.)

What's included
With your conference registration fees, the following is included: access to all sessions Friday-Sunday, three evening receptions/dinners, lunch on Saturday, and snacks. Short courses and field trips on Thursday are extra.

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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Thursday 10/6	9:00am - 5:00pm	Full Day Short Courses
	2:00pm - 6:00pm	Half Day Short Courses
	9:00am - 4:30pm	Full Day Field Trips
	9:00am - 12:30pm	Half Day Field Trips
	6:00pm - 10:00pm	Reception
Friday 10/7	9:00am - 11:00am	Welcome, Opening Plenary
	11:15am - 12:45pm	Breakout Session I
	12:45pm - 2:15pm	Lunch On Your Own
	4:15pm - 5:45pm	Committee Meetings/Networking Time
	7:00pm - 10:00pm	Dinner and Silent Auction at the Freight Depot
Saturday 10/8	9:00am - 10:30am	Keynote with Michael Thurmond
	11:00am - 12:30pm	Breakout Session III
	12:30pm - 2:30pm	Annual Luncheon and town hall meeting
	2:30pm - 4:00pm	Breakout Session IV
	4:30pm - 6:00pm	Committee Meetings and Structured Networking Time
	7:00pm - 12:00am	Taste of Georgia
Sunday 10/9	8:30am - 10:00am	Breakout Session V
	10:30am - 12:00pm	Breakout Session VI
	12:15pm - 12:30pm	Closing Ceremony

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