Where
Central Virginia Community College, Merritt Hall
3506 Wards Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Driving Directions
Southbound on US Route 29
Take the US 29S/Danville exit and turn right at the end of the exit ramp. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Harvard Street at the stoplight.
Eastbound on US Route 460
Take the 29N/Lynchburg exit and get into the left lane at the end of the off ramp. Continue on until you pass Wal-Mart on the left-hand side of the highway, then turn left at the next stoplight. You will then be on Harvard Street.
West bound on US Route 460
Take the 29N/Lynchburg exit. Get in the left lane and turn left at the third stoplight. You will then be on Harvard Street.
Northbound on US Route 29
After you pass the Lynchburg Airport you will pass under an overpass. This overpass is the city limits of Lynchburg. Get into the left lane and continue on until you pass Wal-Mart on the left-hand side of the highway, then turn left at the next stop light. You will then be on Harvard Street.
After you are on Harvard Street
CVCC is near the top of the hill on the right-hand side of Harvard Street and should be visible soon after you make the turn. To avoid a parking ticket, please park in Lot 2 at the top of the hill or in Lot 1 just downhill from the college buildings.
Contact
Allison Spain
Virginia Food System Council
allisonspain@virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org
401-374-0019
Cultivate, Catalyze, and Connect: A Gathering of Food System Councils & Networks
The Virginia Food System Council (VFSC), in cooperation with Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, are hosting a networking and training meeting for Virginia’s food councils and other food work groups to help build a more connected and cohesive food system effort in VA and the region.
AGENDA
8:30 – 9:00 am Registration
9:00 – 9:15 am Welcome and Introductions
9:15 – 9:30 am State of the Virginia Food System
Eric Bendfelt, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Learn about the state of the food systems in Virginia, from farm production to food access.
9:30 – 10:55 am Food and Farm Policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Mark Winne, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Spencer Neale, Virginia Farm Bureau
Leslie Van Horn, Federation of Virginia Food Banks
Hear from a panel of food and farm professionals in Virginia about the climate of the state around food and farm policy and what efforts are being made at a state level to address food insecurity and agricultural issues.
10:55 – 11:15 am Break
11:15 am – 12:00 pm From the Ground Up: Discussion of Local Food and Farm Efforts
Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension
In small group, learn about other food and farm efforts happening across the state and discuss the role of a statewide food systems network
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 pm From the Ground Up Debrief
Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension
During this plenary, small groups will share what they learned about local food and farm efforts across the state and their discussion on a statewide food systems network.
2:00 – 3:15 pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Basics of a Food Policy Council
Mark Winne, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Developing an effective food policy council depends on a shared vision, mission and leadership, sound governance, active membership, and consensus building. Learn how to address these elements in your food policy council and how these elements vary across food policy councils.
Communication and Advocacy
Anne Palmer, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Food policy is complex and explaining food policy to the public or elected officials is no easy task. Learn about the role of communication in developing an advocacy strategy, and sharing your work with the community, within your coalition and with public officials.
Equity in the Food System
Karen Banks, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Access to resources has a significant impact on food security and on local food production. Learn about the various dimensions of inequity in the food system and how equity differs across geography (urban and rural areas) and socioeconomic status.
3:15 – 3:30 pm Break
3:30 – 4:45 pm Where Do We Go From Here?
Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Join in a plenary discussion about how to provide support for food and farm efforts in Virginia, what these efforts can accomplish together, and the role that the Virginia Food Systems Councils can play in supporting these efforts.
4:45 – 5:30 pm Open Networking
Tickets are $20 and include lunch at the event.
