Food Forum 2010
Food Forum
Saturday, May 1st, 2010
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Pioneer Center
501 NE Washington St
White Salmon, WA
Gorge Grown’s Food Forum is an opportunity for Gorge residents, farmers, and decision-makers to come together and learn more about the state of our region’s food system and what needs to happen in order for Gorge farmers to succeed and for Gorge communities to eat well. Our vision: 20% of what local residents eat will come from local sources by 2020. Just 20% by 2020. What would that look like? How can we get there? It is a bold vision, one that will be supported by energy, ideas, and commitment from YOU.
(scroll down for a full event schedule)
Come to Food Forum to:
LEARN about our local food system - through a plenary and panel of local farmers and experts.
DEVELOP your food skills - through hands-on workshops in seed saving, composting, and more!
PARTICIPATE in the creation of Gorge Grown's 20x2020 plan. What role can you play?
This event is FREE!
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and will guarantee you a free boxed lunch for the event. Pre-register by emailing info@gorgegrown.com or picking up a ticket at Waucoma Books, Klindts Books, Collage of the Gorge, or the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce.
Lunch provided by Solstice Wood Fire Cafe with support from WSU Horizons.
EVENT SCHEDULE
10:15-11:30 am: Choose one workshop or one discussion group to attend.
11:45 -1:30 pm: Lunch and Luncheon panel: In the Gorge, how can farmers succeed and communities eat well, now and into the future?
1:45 -3:00 pm: Afternoon workshops and Strategic planning with the GGFN Board of Directors. Choose one workshop or sit in with the Board to plan our local food future.
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Morning Workshops: practical, tangible actions that help to build a regional food system
1. Beekeeping: how to get started keeping bees - John Ihle / Bernie Krager
2. Food preservation: drying, freezing and storage – Denise Endow
3. Menu for the Future: introduction to a 6 week discussion group around food systems – Judith Alexander
4. Backyard Poultry: raising your own chickens, turkeys, etc. – Debbie McDonald
5. Worm Composting: learn how to let the annelids do the work – Deanne Converse
Morning Breakout discussions: issues that are key challenges in building a regional food system and will need to be addressed as part of the strategic planning for the future.
1. Farm to School in the Gorge — The multiple challenges of bringing more locally grown food into the schools will be explored
2. Small Farms/New farmers — How do we increase the number of small farms and assist new farmers to get into the field?
3. Consumer/Producer relationships — How can each side work together to build the success of 20% by 2020?
4. Supply and Distribution for year round local food — Unique challenges of increasing the amount of year-round, locally grown food, and getting it to all areas of the Gorge.
5. Education and awareness — Educating all residents to understand how food impacts one’s health, the environment and the economy
Afternoon workshops:
1. Winter gardening—how to grow in the off-season – John Ihle
2. Composting—hands on demonstration of composting basics - Wayne Ciullo
3. Community gardens—sharing of a success story in Port Townsend, WA and ideas for increasing community gardens in the Gorge – Judith Alexander
4. Food Preservation—water bath and pressure canning – Debbie McDonald
5. Fruit Trees— managing for pests and production – Steve Castagnoli
6. Seed saving—how to save seeds, store etc. – Maya Trook / Aera Atkins
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Strategic planning/brainstorming with GGFN’s Board of Directors
Based on the morning breakout discussions, this interactive session will discuss ideas and strategic planning direction to build towards 20% by 2020. Everyone’s input is welcome and necessary as we continue to build the infrastructure towards a regional food system and prioritize potential projects.
