The Foodshed Network and Conservation Commission announce “Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Land”, the second panel of the Greenwich Food System Forum. The webinar is free and will be held virtually through Zoom, on Wednesday, May 4 starting at 7:00pm. The panel of farmers, food entrepreneurs and advocates will explore the rich agriculture in the state of Connecticut and will provide context for both the challenges and successes they endure.
Agriculture is a $4 billion industry in Connecticut providing more than 20,000 jobs and substantial social benefits and ecosystem services. Although the industry is robust, Connecticut is a dense state with high land value making it particularly difficult for young farmers who want to grow food and their business. The discussion will bring to light the difficulties small growers and producers face, as well as what works and the ways in which we can support and advocate for a regionalized, regenerative, equitable and just food economy and culture.
“Farmland is at the heart of Connecticut’s food system. The future of Connecticut agriculture depends on securing land tenure opportunities and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices for producers at all scales of agriculture across the state. These opportunities will require more connections and engagement, strengthened state and local policies and programming, and more coordination among service providers and lawmakers. In addition, it will be critical that the state and service provider prioritize the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in future agricultural policies, as many of these producers have not had the same opportunities to equitable farmland opportunities as their white counterparts,” stated Chelsea Gazillo, American Farmland Trust’s New England Policy Manager and Director of Working Lands Alliance.
The discussion will also touch on policies that impact thriving working lands and how strong alliances and networks foster structural change within the food system. This is an excellent opportunity to engage farmers and food entrepreneurs and better understand these critical issues. “New farmers running small farms almost always have low infrastructure and high labor needs with very little support from local/federal government providing food in a culture of cheap food.” Jeff Casel, Owner of Calf & Clover Creamery
Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Land will be moderated by Chelsea Gazillo, American Farmland Trust “New England Policy Manager” and Director of the Working Lands Alliance in Connecticut. The panel will feature speakers Jeff Casel Owner of Calf & Clover Creamery; Xochitl Garcia, New Haven Community Urban Farmer and member of the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance; Farmer Shawn Joseph Owner of Park City Harvest in Bridgeport; and Barry Labendz, Owner of Kent Falls Brewing Company and Founding Member of the Northeast Grainshed Alliance.
For more information email ali@thefoodshednetwork.org, or visit: https://thefoodshednetwork.org/greenwich-foodsystem-forum. Sign up for updates through The Foodshed Thymes: https://thefoodshednetwork.org/join-the-foodshed-thymes
