February 11, 2023
Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting
Join us for the 18th Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting, a gathering that brings together our city’s farming and food dreamers and doers to share knowledge and perspectives, start conversations, dream about what a healthy food system could look like, and then venture out to make it happen.
Plexpod Wesport Commons, 300 E. 39th St, KCMO
Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:00 am – 1:00 pm (followed by optional lunch)
FREE childcare is available. See registration page to sign up.
EVENT SCHEDULE
8:00 am- DOORS OPEN. Check in and chat over coffee and the famous potluck pie breakfast.
9:00 am- WELCOME, announcements, and presentation of the John Kaiahua Mentorship Award.
9:20 am- 2023 FARM BILL OVERVIEW presented by Hamsa Ganapathi and Hannah Quigley of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
Right now, Congress is writing a new farm bill. How does the biggest piece of federal agriculture policy impact you and how can you affect it? This interactive workshop will explore the history of the farm bill, highlight the relevance for the greater Kansas City region, and provide an overview of what to expect this year. You will walk away with tangible next steps for using your power to take action for a socially-just farm policy.
10:40 am- BREAK with leftover pie and breakfast treats!
10:50 am – 12:00 pm- HOW I BUILT THIS EXPO SESSIONS. Four areas of interactive discussion- an engaging way to share, learn and make connections.
- Building a Collaborative Foodshed (Plexpod Annex)
- Building Healthy Soil and Climate Resilience (Plexpod 1st floor rooms – and on Westport Commons Farm as weather permits)
- Building Physical and Mental Wellbeing (Plexpod 1st floor rooms)
- Building Tools and Equipment for Resilient Farms (Lower Level of the Plexpod Garage)
12:00 pm- LINDA & LUKE BLACK ELK, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS.
Linda and Luke Black Elk are food sovereignty activists and teachers of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation, and foraging. Linda is the Food Sovereignty Coordinator at United Tribes Technical College where she teaches ethnobotany and traditional skills. Luke is one of the founding board members of the Tatanka Wakpala Model Sustainable Community, which is a Native non-profit on the Cheyenne River Nation.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
The health of our community is at the forefront of our work, and we recognize the ongoing risk of transmission of Covid 19, influenza, and other illnesses. We encourage masking in crowded areas and will have KN95 masks available at check-in. And as always, if you’re feeling under the weather or have tested postive for any illness, please remain at home. We want everyone to be safe and stay healthy.
Location:
Plexpod Westport Commons, 300 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO 64111
Time:
8:00 am - 1:00 pm