Annual Meeting

NESAWG's 2009 Annual Meeting

November 13-14, 2009

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, NY

For food system advocates, policymakers, planners, researchers, Extension and other educators, farmer groups, food businesses, farm support organizations, consumer groups, students.

Learn more at http://www.ittakesaregion.org/

What is a regional food system and why do we want one?

Recently, "food systems" have gotten a lot of attention - especially "local food systems." This conference takes on the region - our Northeast region. By taking a regional approach, we can grow our thinking and our work to develop a truly sustainable and resilient food system. We can get beyond the jargon, myths and fuzzy concepts – embracing but moving beyond direct and local marketing. We can make room at the table for all stakeholders. This conference will take on some hard issues. We'll come away with a coherent strategy and concrete plans toward our shared vision. We'll be able to communicate effectively with all the right audiences to get them engaged.

Come prepared to roll up your sleeves. Through in-depth working sessions, homework, provocative debates and exercises, we'll tackle questions such as:

Why regional? What does a regional food system look like? What do we want? What will it take to get there? Who needs to be at the table? What are our realistic milestones? What do we need to know, measure and monitor?

We'll draw upon the exciting efforts already underway in our region and nationally, including alternative supply chain networks, research projects, infrastructure initiatives and policy advocacy. We'll address scale, size, and geography to reach beyond political boundaries.

Conference Partners

This conference is hosted by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) in collaboration with partners and co-sponsors (to date):

Just Food

Northeast Regional Lead Team of the National Good Food Network

Northeast Sustainable Traders

Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development

Red Tomato

Tufts University Agriculture, Food and Environment Program

University of New Hampshire Office of Sustainability

NY Sustainable Agriculture Working Group