Statewide ‘Local Foods’ Conference Coming to C.R.
By David DeWitte, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jan. 23–California farmer-filmmaker Lisa Brenneis and organic dairyman Francis Thicke of Fairfield will be the keynote speakers Feb. 2 when the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture brings its Annual Local Foods Conference to Cedar Rapids for the first time.
The group’s annual conferences typically bring together about 200 Iowans who are passionate about producing or consuming local foods, according to grower Sean Skeehan of the Blue Gate Farm in Columbia, a spokesman for the network.
Skeehan says the local foods movement has continued to grow as more Iowans learn about the health and environmental benefits of growing or buying their food locally, and networks for improving access to locally grown foods expand and get better.
Skeehan said a special feature of the Cedar Rapids conference will be a screening of the independent film “King Corn” on Friday night and a panel discussion about its themes. The event at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the African American Museum Celebration Hall, 55 12th Ave. SW, will benefit the Local Foods Connection and Community Gardens initiative in the Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood of Cedar Rapids.
Local Foods Connection provides community-supported agriculture shares and education to families in need in the Iowa City area. Donations collected at the screening will help expand the service to the Cedar Rapids area.
Saturday will begin with a screening of “Eat at Bill’s: Life in the Monterey Market” at 9 a.m. at the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE. The film by southern California farmer-filmmaker Lisa Brenneis discusses the impact Bill Fujimoto and his Monterey Market in Berkeley, Calif., have had on small farms and producers in the surrounding area.
Brenneis will be joined by organic dairy operator Francis Thicke of Radiance Dairy, Fairfield, for a discussion of the requirements for a healthy, fair and accessible food system.
After the group’s annual All-Iowa Potluck from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, the conference will break up for nine different afternoon workshops from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Workshop topics include micro dairy operations, insurance, best practices for market gardeners, and the resources and providing access to locally grown food to all.
Attendees who register by Jan. 28 can pay either $25 for both days or pay for a single day if they do not plan to attend both days. The singleday cost is $10 for Friday and $15 for Saturday. Those attending Saturday should also bring a potluck dish.
The conference will begin with a local growers roundtable and forum from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the museum.
A full list of conference events and registration information is available online at: www.growinca.org/ 2008Conference.htm
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