Back to the Root Gathering

1210 6th Avenue,Tacoma WA 98405

17 March, 2023

Description

Back to the Root is a PNW regional conference led by and for African and Black-identified farmers, ranchers, urban growers & gardeners, food producers, entrepreneurs, educators, and advocates. We use this annual gathering to network, dig into our history, discuss experiences, learn about opportunities, and build strategies. This historic gathering is a Black-centered event, and we welcome all POC community members to join us! BFSC has dedicated funds to ensure that BTTR is accessible to the entire community. Please fill out the following form so we can ensure that any needs you have can be met to the best of our ability. Free hotel rooms, meals, and mileage/transit ticket reimbursement are available to all participants but are available on a first-come/first-serve basis. Each scholarship may be granted for up to $300 toward reimbursable expenses. This application closes Wednesday, March 1st. All participants will be required to show proof of Negative PCR within 24 hours of the event starting, or be willing to take a rapid test (provided at the venue) when they arrive for check-in. March 17th we will kick off our event with a networking happy hour, a vendor expo, a community dinner, and our Keynote Listening Panel featuring, Roylene Comes at Night and Nicole Johnson. The evening will conclude with games, music, and dancing. March 18th will kick off with breakfast, and a whole group conversation around regional strategic planning. Over the course of the day, there will be three breakout sessions with topics ranging from Rejuvenation Through Breathing to Bringing BIPOC Farms to Schools, and folks will be able to self-select which sessions they'd like to participate in. The evening will conclude with a community dinner featuring games, music, and dancing. March 19th participants will venture out on a working farm tour at Horse Neck Farm of Living Well Kent, with catered onsite farm lunch. If you have work gloves & boots, please bring them for the farm tour. Come prepared for the weather, rain or shine! Once participants return from the farm tours there will be another vendor expo and happy hour. The evening will conclude with a community dinner featuring games, music, and dancing. March 20th will be an optional final wrap-up morning with breakfast, and a whole group visioning session looking for tangible next steps coming out of the gathering, the event will conclude with a farewell lunch.