Summit Schedule
7:30am Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
9:00am Welcome to the Local Food Summit!
9:30am Transition to Tracks
9:45am Block 1: Speaker Presentations
11:15am Block 2: Facilitated Round-Table Discussion
12:30pm LUNCH!
1:45pm Block 3: Collective Visioning
3:00pm Presentations of Visions and Call to Action
4:00pm End of the Summit - thank you for joining us!
4:30pm PARTY AT CULTIVATE!
307 N River St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
(Bring your Summit program to get $1 off your drink!)
Tracks
Youth Track
The Local Food Summit offers opportunities for teens and kids to participate. This year, the summit will be hosting Ypsi High art students who are completing a mural focused on local food and agriculture in Ypsi as a part of the African American mural project. The students will utilize their experience at the Summit as part of their research for creating the mural. We look forward to the perspective and voice that these young folks will bring to our discussions of the food system. Elementary school students will participate in workshops that introduce them to the local food movement, as well as increasing their awareness of where food comes from.
Food Justice
Food justice is often a term that gets lip service, but what is it really? This track will explore the definition of food justice, learn from experts folks working toward a more just food system and envision the way we can achieve equity within our food system here in Washtenaw County.
Current Environmental Issues: Water
This track focuses on the relationship of water and agriculture, water infrastructure, both urban and rural, and citizen engagement in water decision making.
Block 1:
Come learn about our natural and man made water systems. How they operate, issues they are facing, and what you can do about it.
Block 2:
Take a closer look at the issues affecting out water systems. The local efforts to improve it, and what you can do to get involved.
Block 3:
Attendees will begin transforming their new understanding of our water systems into concrete steps for change. Participants will work in small groups to create detailed action plans for addressing specific threats to our water systems.
Farmworker and Labor Justice
Justice for farmworkers and laborers in the food system is an often ignored but ever constant battle. This track focuses on the state of farm worker justice in Michigan especially southeast Michigan. We will explore the intersection of race, class, privlage, policy, and a sustainable-equitable-economocally vaiable food system labor force.
Market Development
In this track, we will look at both the food industrial model as it works today, as well as learn about the cutting edge initiatives that are changing the way we distribute local food and flowers to wholesale markets. We invite track participants to help us illustrate our local food system and then strategize ways to increase the breadth of local food purchasing in our community. Included in the track will be a discussion on race and how that plays a part in market development for new and emerging farmers.
Block 1:
First, we'll take a look at the conventional food system - why is it so successful? What does it NOT do that local food does well? Then we'll hear from experts in the field about imerging creative solutions that increase local food purchasing.
Block 2:
Then, we'll create a map of our local food system so as to idenitfy possible areas we can create impact.
Block 3:
Lastly, we'll spend time building a collective vision for our local food system as it relates to markets and market development for local farmers.
Farm to Institution
Our area has an innovative hospital with a farm on it’s property, and we have a growing interest in school gardens. Locally grown fresh food is an ingredient to help improve the wellness of our community. Connecting children to growing their own food and understanding where it comes from is a proven recipe for improving eating habits. This track will uncover the mystery of how our institutional food system works now and help attendees find the answers needed to change the system for a successful future
Block 1:
Introduction of Farm to Institutution from a social justice and systems perspective. History of the issue, why it’s important, who does it effect, which systems it affects it etc. A panel representing important stakeholder groups will speak and answer questions.
Block 2:
After generations of segregation, divestment and structural poverty, banks and the wealthy suburbs took advantage of the 2008 mortgage crisis to impose of Emergency Financial Managers on many urban communities throughout Michigan, creating a situation in which more than 50% of Michigan’s Afrikan American population was under some form of financial dictatorship. Artist, Farmer, Organizer, and water warrior Antonio Rafael will discuss the recent challenges in Detroit, the way his community is not only resisting, but taking back public lands, stolen by banks. In light of the challenges, Antonio and Alex Ball will speak on their struggles to take control of land to start their farms.
Block 3:
Break outs report their ideas and thoughts to group, major thoughts put together into one message. Group picks representatives for final presentation to summit and decides on format for presentation. Set up accountability if group chooses.
Racism and Access to Land and Capital
This track will explore how racism persists in farming communities and limits access to land and capital. Historically, Washtenaw county had a diversity of farmers including African American, Asian American, Caribbean, Latino and Indigenous people although presently the farming community is viewed as predominantly white. Let's look at where these farms run by POC are thriving and why/ how racism has limited access to POC. Let's envision a future where access exists for all people and prioritizes diverse relationships to farming and working the land.
Block 1:
Have you always wanted to know the REAL history of the U.S. food system that you did not learn in school or in your particular community? Do you want to become more aware of how racism has operated historically in the food system and how this impacts our current efforts around building local, resilient food systems? Block 1 of the Racism in Land and Capital track will walk us through a People’s History of the U.S. food system from its inception to our current moment. We will also discuss our interactions, experiences and thoughts on racism in general and how may affect our food system advocacy and organizing.
Block 2: Urban Realities, Stories of Struggle for Land
After generations of segregation, divestment and structural poverty, banks and the wealthy suburbs took advantage of the 2008 mortgage crisis to impose of Emergency Financial Managers on many urban communities throughout Michigan, creating a situation in which more than 50% of Michigan’s Afrikan American population was under some form of financial dictatorship. Artist, Farmer, Organizer, and water warrior Antonio Rafael will discuss the recent challenges in Detroit, the way his community is not only resisting, but taking back public lands, stolen by banks. In light of the challenges, Antonio and Alex Ball will speak on their struggles to take control of land to start their farms. Farmer Alex Ball will also discuss the the process of starting Romulus, Michigan's first urban farm, and the struggles of acquiring land and farming in an artificially inflated property market.
Block 3:
During this workshop, attendees will begin transforming their new understanding of how racism impacts farmers of color into concrete steps for change. Participants will work in small groups to create detailed action plans for addressing specific challenges faced by farmers of color and to become an active ally.
Tracks
Youth Track
The Local Food Summit offers opportunities for teens and kids to participate. This year, the summit will be hosting Ypsi High art students who are completing a mural focused on local food and agriculture in Ypsi as a part of the African American mural project. The students will utilize their experience at the Summit as part of their research for creating the mural. We look forward to the perspective and voice that these young folks will bring to our discussions of the food system. Elementary school students will participate in workshops that introduce them to the local food movement, as well as increasing their awareness of where food comes from.
Food Justice
Food justice is often a term that gets lip service, but what is it really? This track will explore the definition of food justice, learn from experts folks working toward a more just food system and envision the way we can achieve equity within our food system here in Washtenaw County.
Current Environmental Issues: Water
This track focuses on the relationship of water and agriculture, water infrastructure, both urban and rural, and citizen engagement in water decision making.
Block 1:
Come learn about our natural and man made water systems. How they operate, issues they are facing, and what you can do about it.
Block 2:
Take a closer look at the issues affecting out water systems. The local efforts to improve it, and what you can do to get involved.
Block 3:
Attendees will begin transforming their new understanding of our water systems into concrete steps for change. Participants will work in small groups to create detailed action plans for addressing specific threats to our water systems.
Farmworker and Labor Justice
Justice for farmworkers and laborers in the food system is an often ignored but ever constant battle. This track focuses on the state of farm worker justice in Michigan especially southeast Michigan. We will explore the intersection of race, class, privlage, policy, and a sustainable-equitable-economocally vaiable food system labor force.
Market Development
In this track, we will look at both the food industrial model as it works today, as well as learn about the cutting edge initiatives that are changing the way we distribute local food and flowers to wholesale markets. We invite track participants to help us illustrate our local food system and then strategize ways to increase the breadth of local food purchasing in our community. Included in the track will be a discussion on race and how that plays a part in market development for new and emerging farmers.
Block 1:
First, we'll take a look at the conventional food system - why is it so successful? What does it NOT do that local food does well? Then we'll hear from experts in the field about imerging creative solutions that increase local food purchasing.
Block 2:
Then, we'll create a map of our local food system so as to idenitfy possible areas we can create impact.
Block 3:
Lastly, we'll spend time building a collective vision for our local food system as it relates to markets and market development for local farmers.
Farm to Institution
Our area has an innovative hospital with a farm on it’s property, and we have a growing interest in school gardens. Locally grown fresh food is an ingredient to help improve the wellness of our community. Connecting children to growing their own food and understanding where it comes from is a proven recipe for improving eating habits. This track will uncover the mystery of how our institutional food system works now and help attendees find the answers needed to change the system for a successful future
Block 1:
Introduction of Farm to Institutution from a social justice and systems perspective. History of the issue, why it’s important, who does it effect, which systems it affects it etc. A panel representing important stakeholder groups will speak and answer questions.
Block 2:
After generations of segregation, divestment and structural poverty, banks and the wealthy suburbs took advantage of the 2008 mortgage crisis to impose of Emergency Financial Managers on many urban communities throughout Michigan, creating a situation in which more than 50% of Michigan’s Afrikan American population was under some form of financial dictatorship. Artist, Farmer, Organizer, and water warrior Antonio Rafael will discuss the recent challenges in Detroit, the way his community is not only resisting, but taking back public lands, stolen by banks. In light of the challenges, Antonio and Alex Ball will speak on their struggles to take control of land to start their farms.
Block 3:
Break outs report their ideas and thoughts to group, major thoughts put together into one message. Group picks representatives for final presentation to summit and decides on format for presentation. Set up accountability if group chooses.
Racism and Access to Land and Capital
This track will explore how racism persists in farming communities and limits access to land and capital. Historically, Washtenaw county had a diversity of farmers including African American, Asian American, Caribbean, Latino and Indigenous people although presently the farming community is viewed as predominantly white. Let's look at where these farms run by POC are thriving and why/ how racism has limited access to POC. Let's envision a future where access exists for all people and prioritizes diverse relationships to farming and working the land.
Block 1:
Have you always wanted to know the REAL history of the U.S. food system that you did not learn in school or in your particular community? Do you want to become more aware of how racism has operated historically in the food system and how this impacts our current efforts around building local, resilient food systems? Block 1 of the Racism in Land and Capital track will walk us through a People’s History of the U.S. food system from its inception to our current moment. We will also discuss our interactions, experiences and thoughts on racism in general and how may affect our food system advocacy and organizing.
Block 2: Urban Realities, Stories of Struggle for Land
After generations of segregation, divestment and structural poverty, banks and the wealthy suburbs took advantage of the 2008 mortgage crisis to impose of Emergency Financial Managers on many urban communities throughout Michigan, creating a situation in which more than 50% of Michigan’s Afrikan American population was under some form of financial dictatorship. Artist, Farmer, Organizer, and water warrior Antonio Rafael will discuss the recent challenges in Detroit, the way his community is not only resisting, but taking back public lands, stolen by banks. In light of the challenges, Antonio and Alex Ball will speak on their struggles to take control of land to start their farms. Farmer Alex Ball will also discuss the the process of starting Romulus, Michigan's first urban farm, and the struggles of acquiring land and farming in an artificially inflated property market.
Block 3:
During this workshop, attendees will begin transforming their new understanding of how racism impacts farmers of color into concrete steps for change. Participants will work in small groups to create detailed action plans for addressing specific challenges faced by farmers of color and to become an active ally.
