Since 1818, the “Farmers' Almanac” has provided uncannily accurate weather predictions that inform farmers’ planting, harvesting, and day-to-day living. In 2018, Slow Food New York City - inspired by the “Farmers’ Almanac” - is sponsoring the 8th Annual Food Almanac, a singular opportunity for food-active individuals to be informed and to consider food and farming policy challenges, opportunities, and action in the New Year.
With challenges of establishing the next generation of farmers, growing urban agriculture, conservation, climate change, and food chain fairness and equity exacerbated by an administration and Congressional majorities hell-bent on undoing food and farming progress, the Slow Food principles of Good, Clean, and Fair Food for All are at serious risk.
With 2018 being the year of a new federal Farm Bill and a new agriculture budget, the time is right for us to know and engage. Our Almanac Panel will help us get there; standing and acting for the food chain in which we believe and for which we have fought.
During the event you'll hear from our expert panelists, while enjoying local beer, wine, and tasty seasonal snacks!
Panel includes:
Barry Benepe Visionary architect and city planner, who, in 1976, founded New York City's Greenmarket, the largest network of farmers markets in the United States and the vanguard of the movement.
Michelle Hughes Director of Investments & Partnerships, National Young Farmers Coalition, representing, mobilizing, and engaging young farmers in support of policies and practices that will sustain young, independent, landed, and prosperous farmers of every gender, race, and sexual orientation.
Reana Kovalcik Associate Director, Communications and Development, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of grassroots organizations advocating for federal policy that supports sustainable agriculture, ample and affordable food, and the rights of farmers.
Samantha Levy Policy Manager, American Farmland Trust - New York, dedicated to preserving rural farmland, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, establishing regional institutional markets for regional produce, and supporting both established and beginning farmers.
Anastasia Cole Plakias Co-Founder and Vice President, Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm, operating the world's largest rooftop soil farms, growing over 50,000 lbs. of organic produce each year, providing urban farming education and consulting, and promoting healthy and strong local communities.
Karen Washington Co-founder and Farmer, Rise & Root Farm (in the black dirt region of Orange County) and community gardening practitioner, educator, and activist and a stalwart of Just Food, La Familia Verde Community Garden Coalition, New York City Community Garden Coalition, and Black Urban Gardeners.
Moderator:
Peter Hoffman Iconic chef of the trailblazing New York restaurant, Savoy, that for decades led the way to the paradigm of approachable food prepared with meticulously curated ingredients and social, cultural, and environmental responsibility. Peter is a member of the Slow Food New York City Advisory Committee.
We hope you'll join us for this fun, informative, and unique evening!
Interested in supporting Slow Food NYC's ongoing work? Support good, clean, fair food for New Yorkers today: http://www.nycharities.org/give/donate.aspx?cc=2740
Donations benefit Urban Harvest, the Slow Food NYC program of good food education for New York City children at 11 schools around the City and on a tuition-free, educational, urban farm in East New York, Brooklyn.