Keynotes & sessions
keynotes
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Keynote address by Christina Justice, Secretary of Natural Resources for Cherokee Nation on their past, present and future relationship to seed, and the work of the Cherokee Nation Seed Bank which provides historically and culturally significant seeds to tribal citizens across the country, as well as the Historic Preservation office.
Christina Justice, Cherokee Nation
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM
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As we become caretakers of the seeds that provide us with food to nourish our physical bodies and move closer to developing a food sovereignty, let us "go back and fetch" the seed saving wisdom of the original inhabitants of Turtle Island. The "seed commons" of today can build on the millennia of passed down knowledge and wisdom of caring for and adapting seeds to our bioregion.
Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm, Chris Smith of Utopian Seed Project, Megan Allen of Care of the Earth Community Farm, Moderated by Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network and Eleanor Lopez of Native American Indian Association of TN
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7:00 PM
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A moderated panel discussion about the history and foundational values of cooperatives and collective organizing. Panelists will draw from both their professional and personal experiences working in grassroots organizing and the formation of cooperatives in the Southeast and beyond.
Terence Courtney of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Vanessa Paz of Nashville Foodscapes, Olivia Cleveland, Farmer Organizer; Moderated by Rosemarie Rieger of Southeast Center for Cooperative Development
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM
SESSIONS
Cooperative and Collaborative Models
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Hear from food & farming cooperatives on the challenges and obstacles to starting a cooperatively -owned and -managed business in Tennessee, as well as potential paths forward. Moderated by Jackson Rolett of the Collaborative Farming Podcast who will also be recording the session to be featured as a future podcast episode.
Jameson Parker, Moonlight Collective, R’yana Michele, Water Bear Cooperative Land Project, William Crenshaw, Nashville Food Coop, Lexy Close, Appalachian Producers Coop; moderated by Jackson Rolette, The Collaborative Farming Podcast
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Ejidos were formed from the call of "Tierra Y Libertad'' (Land and Liberty) by the revolutionary rural army in 1910, followed by a newly formed social forward government in the 1930's that pushed for their inception. Ejidos consist of an area for communal land use where the holdings are collectively managed with government oversight and community members farm designated parcels with usufruct rights and land tenure.
In this session we will learn how Ejidos have evolved, the historical context that allowed them to form, the teachings that come from this way of land access and governance, and how NAFTA and globalization have challenged their existence
Vanessa Paz, Nashville Foodscapes
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The Ohio Valley Grain Exchange (OVGE) is an emerging alliance of farmers, manufacturers and processors, end users, research and extension specialists, and other members of the grain value chain in the Ohio River Valley. The OVGE seeks to build a broad coalition of members throughout the Ohio River Basin, which extends from Pittsburg to Chattanooga, covering most of Tennessee and Kentucky.
This initiative aims to: foster relationships and knowledge sharing across sectors and parts of the value chain; develop critical grain infrastructure; support research to advance local grain production, sustainability and utilization; and enhance demand for local products through marketing and branding throughout the Ohio Valley region and nationally. Building upon previous regional grain gatherings, OVGE will host annual grain events starting in 2024, facilitate development of community mills and other infrastructure and support development of an integrated marketing strategy to convey the unique Ohio Valley grain story.
Lauren Brzozowski of University of Kentucky, Sarah Halcomb of Walnut Grove Farm, Kelsey Keener of Sequatchie Cove Farm
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The Rooted East Collective addresses food apartheid in Knoxville, TN within the 37915 area code—a predominately Black and low-income community. The collaborative collective confronts the limitations imposed by decades of food apartheid by making fresh produce, necessity-related transportation, and food education available to all interested residents through the innovative model. The collective is designed to target the current inequities caused by food apartheid by addressing mental and physical wellness, access to fresh produce, food and nutrition education, and community health awareness.
During the panel discussion we will highlight our collaborative efforts with other grassroots organizations to sustain the East Knoxville community through the Kwanzaa principle: "Ujima" which is collective work and responsibility
Femeika Elliott, Laila Malik, Thomas Ruggles, Kalil White of Rooted East
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In March 2023, after over a year of relationship-building and engagement with community gardens and institutional partners, the Nashville Community Garden Coalition elected a Steering Committee to lead the coalition's efforts. In this presentation, members of the Steering Committee will share about the coalition's evolving mission, vision, and values, our approach to food justice, and how we're wrestling with topics ranging from democratic decision-making to organizational structure and beyond in our work to mobilize the potential that community gardens offer for food production, land access, and grassroots organizing for systemic change.
Adria Osborne and Arianna Nimmocks of The Nashville Food Project, Cecelie Elise of Society of Saint Andrew
Building a seed commons
*This is a two day track - view more info here
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This moderated conversation will include a conceptual framework for a seed commons, guidance of Indigenous culture, examples of seed hubs, current USDA seed initiatives, TVA seed projects, and resources. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Chris Smith of Utopian Seed Project, Megan Allen of Care of the Earth Community Farm, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm; Moderated by Eleanor Lopez of Native American Indian Association of TN and Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network
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This moderated conversation will include a conceptual framework for a seed commons, guidance of Indigenous culture, examples of seed hubs, current USDA seed initiatives, TVA seed projects, and resources. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Amyrose Foll of Virginia Free Farm, Chris Smith of Utopian Seed Project, Megan Allen of Care of the Earth Community Farm, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm; Moderated by Eleanor Lopez of Native American Indian Association of TN and Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network
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This moderated conversation will include theory and practice of seed keepers, TVA seed projects, seed saving techniques and tools, resources for seed farmers and more. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Feather Smith of Cherokee Nation, Chris Smith of Utopian Seed Project, Megan Allen of Care of the Earth Community Farm, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm; Moderated by Eleanor Lopez of Native American Indian Association of TN and Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network
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This moderated conversation will explore how to continue the work of developing the Cumberland River Seed Commons, relationships with TVA, USDA, Tribal nations, seed hubs, concept document, committee formation, Everyone is welcome to participate.
Feather Smith of Cherokee Nation, Chris Smith of Utopian Seed Project, Megan Allen of Care of the Earth Community Farm, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm; Moderated by Eleanor Lopez of Native American Indian Association of TN and Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network
LAND & Water MANAGEMENT
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This presentation will cover the 4 ecosystem processes (water, mineral, energy flow, & community dynamics) and teach participants the language of ecosystem health through 15 metrics that can be observed and recorded every year during monitoring to ensure land is regenerating. The methodology is called Environmental Outcome Verification (EOV) and as a master field professional with the Savory Institute Asher is qualified to lead and train. The presentation has detailed images of both sides of the spectrum for each metric and then folds in a soil health analysis so attendees see how the actions in the field are related to soil health.
Asher Wright, Caney Fork Farms
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In the session participants will learn water conservation and micro irrigation strategies applicable in row crop and market garden settings. Proper water management is critical to successful food production. This session will include hands-on opportunities with micro irrigation system components to increase participant familiarity with this simple technology.
Tea Jay, Vuck Farms
Farm BUSINESS
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A written business plan is a critical risk management tool for business owners to utilize in making informed decisions, and such a plan is often required to secure financing or grant funding. University of Tennessee Extension Specialist Rachel Painter will provide resources and prepare participants to develop an agricultural business plan.
Rachel Painter, UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture
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Learn about resources and opportunities for small farmers to receive financial assistance, whether that be through cost shares, grants, or access to capital.
Trevor Hunt of Natural Resources Conservation Services, Will Freeman of USDA Rural Development
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In this session, producers will gain a foundation on how to properly and profitability set prices for their farm products. Instead of guessing and basing prices solely on what the market shows, producers will gain an understanding of how prices are determined so that they can price their products with confidence.
Eryn Bell, UT Center of Farm Management
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Accepting and doubling SNAP at farmers' markets has great potential to increase food-insecure people's access to fresh produce AND to increase profits for market vendors. But it's complicated. Sit in on a fishbowl discussion with market reps, a grower, our Regional Representative for the SNAP soft- and hardware, and a food systems expert; learn what the complications are (or aren't!); and help determine how to maximize this program's potential in Tennessee!
Heather Hoch and Yolanda Manning, Nashville Farmers Market, Lisa Roach, Market Link, Ericka Raml, Fair Food Network, Nikkole Turner, TSU Cooperative Extension
Farm to school
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Join JVTF’s Director of Pathways and Experiences, T. Marie King, for an enlightening presentation as she delves into the transformative power of work-based learning in the fields of agriculture, culinary arts, and food service. In this session, she will showcase the innovative approach of Jones Valley Teaching Farm (JVTF) in Birmingham, Alabama, and how they are revolutionizing education, empowering students, and creating economic mobility and food agency for young adults.
Discover how JVTF’s Apprenticeship Model is shaping the future of education by providing Birmingham City High School students and graduates with paid opportunities to explore careers in agriculture, culinary arts, and food service. We will explore the curriculum, learning experiences, hands-on training that JVTF offers, emphasizing the importance of connecting classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the power of work-based learning. Join this engaging and inspiring presentation that will leave you motivated to support and embrace innovative models like JVTF’s Apprenticeship Program.
T. Marie King of Jones Valley Teaching Farm
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Join JVTF's Director of Educational Programs and Partnerships, Dr. Petra N. Leonard, as she shares how JVTF uses food as a foundation so young people can lead, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community. In this session, she will share how, in partnership with Birmingham City Schools, the mission and vision of JVTF is brought to life by engaging students in Pre-K - 12th grade in food- based education rooted in academic standards.
Participants will learn how Good School Food is implemented through cross-curricular lessons and projects that use food as the foundation for learning. Participants will also learn about after-school opportunities in Farm Club where students become stewards of their school’s Teaching Farm and in Culinary Club which exposes students on using kitchen utensils and appliances to create delicious meals that can be replicated at home using produce from their Teaching Farms.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage and hear how food is used as a foundation to inspire young people to lead, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community.
Dr. Petra N. Leonard of Jones Valley Teaching Farm
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Tennessee Schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the state are participating in Farm to School activities through food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. Learn how you can bring the farm to school through your community engagement efforts, expand your market into schools and advocate for a healthier food system that is accessible to all in Tennessee.
Lynsey Paul, TN Department of Education, Samantha Gotye and Caroline Ideus, NW TN Local Food Network
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A roundtable discussion with the purpose of sharing experiences, assets, barriers, partnerships and funding opportunities related to farm to school initiatives with participants, while cultivating an environment of openness, creativity and asset building.
Joel Tippens, City Farms Grower Coalition, Alex Scott, Vinebranch Fellowship, T.Marie King, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, Cari Chestnut, TN Public School Farmer-Educator; Moderated by Samantha Gotye, NW TN Local Food Network
Session Details
Food & Farm Policy
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How do local, state, and federal policies affect people's ability to get the nutrition they need? Sit in on a panel discussion with experts on Nashville, Tennessee, and US policy to learn who has what powers, and what's in the works this legislative season.
Tammy Deiter, Second Harvest Food Bank, Signe Anderson and Crys Riles, TN Justice Center
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In this workshop, we'll discuss the way advocacy and organizing can shift power into the hands of farmers and land stewards, alleviate and dismantle oppressive legislation, and empower farming communities to collaborate together. We will cover topics of strategic advocacy vehicles, popular education, and visioning collectively.
Olivia Cleveland, Southeast Farmer Organizer and Nathaniel Bankhead, Wild Violet Permaculture
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Part information gathering and part skillshare, this participatory session will introduce the Tennessee Food & Farming Alliance, discuss how they navigated the TN legislature to pass the new Farmers Market Food Unit Bill, and facilitate an information-gathering session that encourages Summit attendees to share what changes they want to see in our state--we want to hear everything from high-level issues to the most minute policies that need amending. Bring your voices, your thoughts, and your advocacy muscles!
Rebecah Boynton of TN Food and Farming Alliance
Sessions Details
Food waste
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Metro Nashville Waste Services is currently in the process of implementing a food scraps pickup program to 750 households. Roughly a quarter of Nashville's waste steam is organic material that could be composted. This presentation will cover building the application and selection process, rolling out the pilot, and how it relates to Nashville's Zero Waste Master Plan.
Jenn Harrman, Allie Omens, Simone Chhut of Metro Nashville Waste Services
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A 30 minute ice-breaker and day-charger centering playful collaboration practices.
Anne Veal, Brooklyn Heights Community Garden
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Participants will use earth knowledge to tell new stories of restoration and possibility. This is a songwriting + storytelling workshop to translate stories of the land and land resistance into music.
R’Yana Michele, Water Bear Cooperative Land Project
Interactive
Demos
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Learn more about the Bradley County Cannery and how to make delicious apple pie filling! The Bradley County Cannery is truly a unique place. As the only county owned and operated cannery left in the state of Tennessee, the cannery serves as a vital resource for county residents to limit food waste and food costs. This session will discuss the County Cannery, how it operates, and how it has been a proven resource for Bradley County residents to preserve local produce. Furthermore, Kevin will conduct an apple pie filling canning demonstration to showcase how to safely preserve food for year round deliciousness!
Kevin Treadway, UT Extension
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The Allora program for home cooking is based on the concept of batch cooking a basic ingredient or recipe and then incorporating it into 3 different meals. This provides the framework for healthy eating a week at a time. In this demo we will work with a batch of chick peas and a batch of Ratatouille.
Ratatouille is the perfect dish to showcase the beautiful late season produce of TN. Eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes as well as lots of local herbs combine to create a delicious meal which is fabulous for batch cooking. Ratatouille can be served as a main dish or side dish or rolled into a tortilla. In addition, it freezes like a charm.
The chickpeas will be used to create a main dish of Pasta Salad with plenty of leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week. We will also make hummus to use as an appetizer/side/spread. Extra chickpeas get added to a green salad or frozen.
In each case, one cooking session can provide a multitude of meals for the week as well as building a stock of food for the freezer. This approach efficient, cost effective and most importantly HEALTHY!
Cooking demo by Loraine Lippolis, Allora Home Cooking
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Program
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Presenters
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TENNESSEE LOCAL FOOD SUMMIT