American Farmland Trust Welcome Reception

10950 Hutchesons Ferry Road,Chattahoochee Hills GA 30268

03 March, 2023

Description

Join Steve Nygren and key agriculture leaders and stakeholders to welcome the Southeast Regional Director, Dr. Courtney Owens. Hear about the national and regional programmatic priorities across the Southeast and the long term strategies for Georgia along with groundbreaking research from American Farmland Trust that indicates the equivalent of 7,200 farms will be lost to development in Georgia by 2040. Join this conversation about the urgency of the threats and opportunities to take action. Lite bites, beer and wine. GUEST SPEAKERS Courtney Owens Ph.D., Southeast Regional Director Mallory O'Steen, Georgia Program Manager Billy Van Pelt II​, Director of Special Program Development & Senior Advisor ABOUT DR. COURTNEY OWENS Dr. Owens primary responsibilities as Southeast Regional Director is to lead programs to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices and keep farmers on the land in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Courtney’s experience in farming dates to the beginning of his career in 2006 when he served with the United States Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, where he trained over 100 farmers in sustainable agriculture and environmental practices. During his 15-year career, Owens has led, implemented, evaluated, and reported on community-based rural development education programs. Before joining AFT, Courtney worked in various leadership roles with Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension where he was responsible for supporting nine programs including 4-H youth development, family well-being, nutrition, community health, and small farm development that were delivered by 70+ faculty and staff. Owens also previously served at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative Extension and helped lead programs to assist farmers with adopting computer technology and overcoming barriers to broadband internet access as well as strengthening farm business management. Courtney is a native of North Carolina, and attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and received his Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Science and professional service in agricultural education. Courtney also received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in agricultural education and communication with a specialization in Extension education. https://farmland.org/staff/courtney-owens/ ABOUT AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST American Farmland Trust (AFT) launched the conservation agriculture movement and has been bringing agriculture and the environment together since 1980. AFT is the only national agricultural organization that approaches its work in this comprehensive, holistic manner. We recognize the connection between the land, forward-looking farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. We also recognize the power of combining on-the-ground projects with objective research and effective advocacy. No Farms, No Food is their rallying cry - without farmland and ranchland, we can't win the global fight against climate change. Our food, our water, our environment, our survival—it all depends on American agricultural land. https://farmland.org/