Harvest Revolution: Empowering Small Food Systems
Hey there, everyone! We recently hosted the Harvest Revolution event, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. This gathering was all about celebrating and supporting small, local farming in our community, and it left us feeling incredibly inspired and optimistic about the future of our food system.
The event featured a lineup of incredible keynote speakers who shared their wisdom with people who share a deep passion for sustainable agriculture and local food, insights on why small farms matter, and how we can all play a part in their success.
Food System Components:
Casey Slater from the Ogden Food Council talked to us about the different elements of our food systems from food production, processing, marketing, all the way to resource and waste recovery. Casey then discussed food insecurity, noting the key drivers in maintaining food security.
From the Ground Up:
How do we as a community elevate small farms with soil biology? Sylvester Bradford with Permascape gave us the rundown on all things dirt. From the components of healthy soil, how biology's role plays a tremendous part in creating soil, how we can elevate our small farms, and how we can get more involved.
Small Farms, Large Impact:
Urban Prairie Agriculture’s very own Anne Dunaway talked about small farms, their infrastructure, and how vital they are to our ecosystems, community, and economy. Although smallholder farmers produce one-third of the world’s food supply, we can take necessary steps to challenging food security and creating a sustainable food system by embracing innovation and technology.
Healthy Food Culture:
Diana Sciandra from Greenwood Charter School taught us all about growing food culture through living it in the classroom. She told us stories of students, how Greenwood Charter is empowering children through different areas of holistic education, and discussed the Blue Zone Challenge.
Finding Local Foods:
Closing up our presenters was Sher Rowley, the market manager, from Ogden's Farmers Market. She showed us the where and how of buying local. Sher also informed us of local food programs and the different food purchasing options in our local community.
The event wasn't just about listening to these incredible speakers; it was also a chance to connect with local farmers, enjoy delicious food, and learn about the efforts being made in our own community.
As the Harvest Revolution event came to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and excitement about the future of small farming in our community. It's about so much more than just the food; it's about building a sustainable, resilient, and connected community and ecosystem.
So, let's roll up our sleeves and get out there, supporting our local farmers, and be part of the Harvest Revolution. It's a delicious, eco-friendly, and community-building way to make a difference.
Here is a link to review the slideshow that was presented during the event!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1i8bMANrnIkJorxsig8bX13GTnOF-dDIJ2GyN8fJTEsk/edit?usp=sharing