Self-Reliance and Interdependence in the Garden: A Panel Discussion

243 Haywood Street,Asheville NC 28801

03 August, 2022

Description

This panel discussion will focus on building resilient and autonomous local food systems. A group of experts will share different perspectives on how to grow and share life-affirming, regionally appropriate foods. Our world is changing and growing food can offer a tangible way to address our uncertain future. Creating a brighter food future is not a singular effort done by individual gardeners but a community effort that is made stronger when we work together. Come learn about local organizations that are bringing people together in the garden, researching the best crops and seeds for our region, and making food growing accessible to more people. We hope you join us for an evening of learning and connection with other gardeners. This event is free but there is limited space so sign-up now to get a spot. Please be considerate and only sign up if you intend to attend the event. If something should change please let us know and we can offer the spot to another guest! We look forward to seeing you! For any further inquiries please reach out to [email protected] Meet our Panelists:Chloe Moore (she/he) is a Black and Boricua landless farmer and educator who has been working in small-scale agriculture for 11 years. She currently serves Southside Community Farm as farm manager, where she grows and distributes fresh produce in Asheville's historically Black Southside neighborhood. Chloe also works for Shiloh Community Garden and is a co-creator of Liberation Tools which distributes free, hand-forged tools to farmers of color. He strives to connect BIPOC to land and food in ways that feel empowering, restorative, and delightful. Chloe loves to read, sing, make herbal medicines, and wander through the woods with his dog. Laura Ruby (she/her) studied permaculture in 2001 in Australia, and has been running and co-leading permaculture design courses nationally and internationally since 2009. She truly believes that teaching and growing together is a key piece in creating stronger, more resilient communities. Growing food with others not only provides physical food, but also creates and deepens relationships, provides nutritionally stronger food and provides a platform for communication that address larger community needs and wants. Through education, work at public elementary schools, church group tours, garden tours and classes, community gardens, and more, she brings insight into creative ways we can build resilience and regenerative landscapes in our communities. Sunil Patel (he/him) helped found Patchwork Alliance based on his farm, Patchwork Urban Farms. An experienced farmer of 15 years, he has learned more and more over the course of his growing career about the flaws in our food system. He founded Patchwork Alliance in an endeavor to utilize a cooperative business model to increase food security and build trusting relationships throughout Western North Carolina, where he has lived since moving from Pittsburgh in 2013. Sunil lives in West Asheville with his dog, Sweety, and in his downtime he enjoys hiking, skiing, and cooking. Chris Smith (he/him) is a farmer, seed saver and writer. He is executive director of the Utopian Seed Project, a crop-trialing non-profit working to celebrate food and farming. His book, The Whole Okra, won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2020 and he is the co-host of The Okra Pod Cast. More info at blueandyellomakes.com and utopianseed.org