2023 Conference Reflections

My Summit Wasn’t the Same as Yours

Brenda Butka, Board President

My Summit wasn’t the same as yours, and, yes, I have regrets. Mainly, I regret that I could not meet every one of you, with a long chat over some of that terrific High Garden tea, because every single conversation–at lunch, in the hallway, or admiring Caney Fork’s cute pigs–uncovered something (and someone) surprising, fascinating, and totally unexpected. Bits that stick in memory include Jim Embry’s spontaneous dance right behind the registration table, our guests from EARTH University drawing their home countries (Guatemala, Liberia, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria) onto the map, Rusty recounting Cumberland’s historic football score, and tasting Soirée-Leone’s kimchi.

And I wish I could have attended every session. The Seed Commons meetings and the sessions built around cooperatives were new areas of emphasis for the Summit, and highlight vital parts of a successful local food economy. We’re looking forward to seeing those webs of connection develop in the years to come.

As always, I love seeing Jeff–would like to have been able to read his mind when I saw him stooping near some big compost piles, looking intently at the soil, and rubbing it between his fingers. And connecting with some of our other agricultural celebrities–Commissioner Hatcher and Assistant Commissioner Holt–opens even more opportunities for the kind of cross-talk that is our mission.

We celebrated my friend Phila Hach and the Hach awards, including the new award for “growing goodness” in honor of Tana Comer–this was an extra-special evening, which reminded us, gloriously, of the many ways food–growing, cooking, eating–can connect us.

And I haven’t even mentioned Natalie Ashker Seevers, who organized the Summit, and the many volunteers, who epitomize our mission of connection and care.

This Summit seemed so open, so dedicated to looking at the big questions, and so turned towards working together that I’m re-energized for the coming year. So, really, no regrets.

Looking forward to next year!