Workshops
Saturday April 24
8:00 - 9:00 / Registration
8:30 - 9:00 / Warm-Up Exercises
Conference attendees will be led through a gentle movement practice that will include Tai Chi and Qigong principles
9:00 - 10:00 / Welcome and "What is Food Justice" Plenary
10:15 - 11:30 / Workshop Session 1 (1:15 minutes)
Introduction to the Farm Bill and other federal food policy
Storm Hall 142
Jill Richardson
A primer on the federal legislation known as the Farm Bill that affects all our diets by subsidizing corn, soy and other commodity products thus making unhealthy ingredients like High Fructose Corn Syrup or soybean oil cheaper than real foods like fruits and vegetables. This will also cover school lunch, an issue that is currently in Congress right now. Learn how the Farm Bill and other federal food policy directly affects our diets, our environment, and our health.
Growing Families: Food justice and pregnancy, babies and children
Storm Hall 145
Sarah Davis
Growing Families are central to the future of food justice as a movement and as a reality. Not only are pregnant women, babies and children particularly vulnerable to the damaging physical and nutritional affects of food from the industrial food system, they are also some of the most vulnerable targets of shameful advertising, predatory products and corporations, and lack of economic and social access to quality food and the time it takes to provide it. At the same time, bringing food justice to growing families is possible and rewarding! We'll look at all these issues, with special attention to the feeding of babies- breastfeeding and infant formula. Identifying San Diego's Food History
Little Theater
Barry Logan, Annie Dru, Alicia Finley
Over ten-thousand years ago, Native Americans (including the San Dieguito, La Jollan and then the Kumeyaay) cultivated a sustainable relationship with this region that we now call San Diego. Theirs was a relationship that took just enough from the natural environment around them - from seafood to small game and from California Oak Tree acorns to Agave. During this workshop, we will investigate further our native food history along with Kumeyaay food traditions while also learning how some of these ancient practices can be and are currently integrated into our 21st century lives. We will also have a hands-on demonstration of how to harvest, prepare and serve a Yucca plant as a nutritious and delicious root vegetable and/or ground flour. Childhood Obesity and the Food Environment
Organized by Anita Boen
Arts & Letters 103
Kat Alexander
Today's children will be the first generation with a lower life expectancy than their parents. How can we reverse this trend? We will discuss findings from a recent nutrition intervention with Latino youth, view a short film on food access in South Los Angeles and learn about the promising work being done at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City.Lose your Lawn
Organized by Julia Dashe
Arts & Letters 102
Karen Contreras
Learn how to convert your lawn into a productive garden space.Race and Class Deconstruction
Organized by Lace
Storm Hall 149
Lacie Watkins-Bush
Do race and class disparities influence food choices and policy? How? Does it even matter? Taking a look at what makes for the dynamics between affluent and poor; demographics and migration; systemic issues and personal choices—and how we can reach arcoss zip codes, culture for a shared food future. This is interactive; come with your ideas!Defining Sustainability: Shifting Our Perceptions
Storm Hall 143
Cara Cadwallader, Yael Zaidman
Sustainability is about making the most of what we have and shifting our perceptions about the things we use, where they come from and where they go to once we are done with them. A truly sustainable society views waste as unethical and ugly. Thus, learning how to view our consumer-based way of life in terms of "zero waste" requires a new way for perceiving our world. Join us for this experiential workshop in which we will honor and celebrate biodiversity and restorative science, while we also re-pattern our thinking about everyday products by learning how we can turn our refuse into reusable and utilitarian goods.
Basics of Urban Homesteading
Arts & Letters 101
Malaki Obado, Carolyn Chase, Bill Tall, Leslie Goldman
Some say we will return to a bright green future with numbers of us growing food in our backyards supplanted by community gardens, and food grown by local organic farmers who we know and support. We will celebrate those who are growing some of their own food at home, growing food not lawns, being backyard farmers, and look at living in intentional community that is earth based. We will show the film "Homegrown Revolution" a 15 minute film about the Dervais community in Pasadena who are paving the way to "a Path to Freedom" through being sustainable right where they live.Grassroots Organizations: Who They Are, What They're Doing and How to Get Organized
Storm Hall 144
Curley Jordan, Corrine Rodriguez, Danielle Cisneros, Mel Lions, the Environmental Health Coalition & Foundations for Change
This round table discussion will include the voices of active members of local organizations, such as the People's Produce Project and
Roots San Diego Sustainable Food Project, who will share information about their respective organizations as well as address why grassroots organizing is so vital to today's shifting society. The conversation will then be open to the entire group for investigating other organizational needs within San Diego and for providing resources on how to get organized, find funding, and more.
11:30 - 12:00 / Networking Break
12:00 - 1:00 / Lunch and Music
1:00 - 1:45 / Workshop Session 2 (45 minutes)
Unraveling NAFTA: Exploring the Trade Agreement and its Consequences on our Food System
Arts & Letters 103
Marco Piscil
It's been 16 years since NAFTA was formally accepted; Where has it gotten us? The United States enjoys cheap food and labor costs, while the lives of many migrant workers and Mexican citizens are in jeopardy as they struggle to survive. Because San Diego is on the border of the US and Mexico, NAFTA has a profound effect on our community. We'll take a closer look at the reality of the legislation, and the repercussions on our resources, specifically in the agriculture and the food industries.
Food Not Bombs: a story of liberating discarded food
Storm Hall 143
Ken Eby, Andres
An overview of what Food Not Bombs does and what they believe including a do-it-yourself guide to creating autonomous groups that can work non-hierarchically and effectively challenge the status quo with little to no resources. Topics also include c onsensus organizing, background info of food waste and restricted access to healthy food and how the state/police enforce and perpetuate these problems.
Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting: low-cost, simple solutions to creating a local water supply
Storm Hall 149
Brook Sarson
Brook Sarson, owner of H2OME, San Diego's first rainwater and greywater installation company, will lead you through local water issues, highlighting how you can be part of the solution by harvesting rainwater in your soil and in tanks and by reusing your laundry and shower water in your landscape.
Traditional methods of food production vs. corporate agriculture
Organized by Malaki
Storm Hall 142
Charles Robinson, Malaki Obado
Lessons from traditional agriculture in relation to what is missing in corporate agriculture.
Real Careers in Real Food: how to create jobs and start a business in our food system
Little Theater
Jim Mumford, Karen Contreras, Lucila De Alejandro
Learn about how people from different backgrounds found gaps in the food system and addressed those gaps by starting their own business. Ask questions of these entrepreneurs and learn about potentials that still exist for the person that wants to start their own business to have a job in the local food system.
Hunger in San Diego
Arts & Letters 101
Casey Field, Liz Landa
Learn about Hunger in America 2010, a national hunger study conducted every 4 years and for the first time includes San Diego County statistics. This study is an overview and snapshot of hunger issues in San Diego. Topics include: An overview of Feeding America San Diego, Food Bank 101 and Food Access (where do we get our food?), Distribution of food and FASD programs, Non-profit partner agencies, Fresh Rescue, Agency Capacity, Community Food Distributions. Special programs such as: Farm2Kids, BackPack and Soup4Supper will be covered. How to get involved: Donate, Volunteer and Advocate.
Speaking Truth to Power & Each Other: Moving toward a Just Language & Logic
Storm Hall 145
Robert Tambuzi, Nyenyekevu Diane Moss
It is well known that conditions create consciousness and inspire a corresponding conduct and commitment. The current "logic and language" comes from the ruling class/race. 1. How do we change it? 2. Can it be changed? 3. Do we want to change it?
Container Gardening: The Secrets Behind a Green Thumb
Storm Hall 144
Yael Zaidman, Leslie Goldman
Gain confidence you can grow a bit of your own food. Turn your thumb to green through learning you can repot a beet in a pot, keep the beet, and eat the beet greens. Orher foods, herbs, and edible flowers you can grow in a pot.
A Sustainable Campus Food System: Stories for Change
Arts & Letters 102
Paul Melchior (SDSU Dining Services), Jared A Muscat (UCSD Student Sustainability Collective Co-Chair), Holly Hellerstedt, guest speaker from UCSD
Changing the culture of a campus to incorporate healthy, sustainable and local food choices can be a challenge. Three presenters, a senior administrator and two very involved students, share their stories for change about how they brought food reform to their campuses and strategies you can use to change food culture on your campus. They offer diverse perspectives on bringing a farmer's market to campus, starting a campus farm, gaining University support, and changing policies at the highest levels.
2:00 - 3:45 / Keynote: Raj Patel
3:45 - 4:00 / Closing Session
4:00 - 5:00 / Music: Skavolutionary Orchestra (MySpace)
Sunday April 25
8:00 - 9:00 / Registration
8:30 - 9:00 / Warm-Up Exercises
Conference attendees will be led through a gentle movement practice that will include Tai Chi and Qigong principles
9:00 - 10:00 / Maintaining Momentum
10:15 - 11:00 / Workshop 3 (45 Minutes)
Seed Sovereignty: How We Can Fight Corporate Ownership and Protect Our Food Diversity
Arts & Letters Courtyard
Bob Ou, Sourn Ou, Ian Miller
Learn about the importance of genetic ownership as we discuss traditional methods of seed saving and how seed saving is not just a method of saving money but also a practice of preserving culture.
Food, Sprituality and Ethics: History of Food / Sharing of Individual Traditions
Storm Hall 143
Lacie Watkins-Bush
Food is a large part of how spirituality is expressed. Join us for a discussion of different ways food is incorporated into formal practice, expressed outwardly in how we go about our individual lives. We will also discuss the possibility of creating/inhabiting a shared language of food that is inclusive and challenging.
Purchasing Power: The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses and Getting Back From Them
Storm Hall 142
Bill Tall
Have you ever wonder what happens to your money once you spend it at the store? Join us and learn about the benefits of spending your dollars at a local Mom and Pop store, how it affects your local economy and how you, as a consumer, have the power to actually decide what a store offers to you. The workshop will focus on the success story of "City Farmers Nursery" in City Heights, San Diego CA and its ability to constantly evolve with the local needs.Why Are Farm Apprenticeships Illegal?
Arts & Letters 102
Paul Gowder (farm worker justice lawyer), Emily, Max and Ryan (apprentices at a local farm)
Farm apprenticeship is an important program in maintaining a local sustainable food system, by providing the needed labor and training the next generation of farmers. It is a win-win situation for the farm and the apprentice. However, according to the laws, it is illegal to have unpaid apprentices and the farms don't have the finances to pay (minimum wage, workers liability insurance, social security, etc.). Learn from a current apprentices why this type of program is so important and from a lawyer on what the issues are and what can be done.The Face of Agriculture in San Diego (double-session)
Little Theater
Coleen Lassegard, Laurie Dietter, Claudia Naughton
Meet agricultural workers in San Diego and experience their stories told in their own words through the camera lens. Featured is a multimedia presentation and beautiful photo-graphical harvest: Artists in the Fields. All photographs were taken by the agricultural workers themselves in northern San Diego County. We are brought face-to-face with the hardworking men who grow and harvest our food and also capture a rare glimpse into their struggle for dignity. Sponsored by the Szekely Family Foundation.
Farmers Markets: Food Justice and Access
Arts & Letters 103
Mai Nguyen, Dianne Moss
Fresh, locally-grown, and justly grown food should be accessible to everyone and not remain a niche market reachable and affordable to a select few. Participate in a discussion about how San Diego farmers' markets are and can be sites for strengthening food security, food justice, and communities
What's Growing on Campus
Arts & Letters 101
Tamara Myers, Morse High School Garden Coordinator; Kristin Kvernland, Crawford High School Garden Coordinator; Michelle Raymond, Crawford Garden Advisor
Join us for a preview of the farm to school movement here in San Diego. Highlighting various school garden programs this workshop will delve into the importance of exposing youth to gardening and healthy eating as well as discuss some of the barriers to bringing local, chemical free food into the San Diego public school system.
Urban Farming and Aquaponics: Raising Tilapia and Produce in Water
Storm Hall 145
Sherilin Heise
Learn how to become a sustainable Urban Farmer and raise your own edible fish! Topics will include basic introduction to raising fish and vegetables with info on getting started with aquaponics and hydroponics. Health benefits of tilapia and why farm raised tilapia that you grow at home are healthy to eat and better than store-bought---they are hormone-free! You can control the quality of what the fish eat. The end result is a better tasting fish and a healthier fish for you. Get the scientific facts at the workshop. A demonstration will show backyard fish farm of 50 gallons. Simple, affordable, all organic, sustainability gardening. We will also discuss growing edible water plants and garden vegetables, such as lettuce. Class taught by one of San Diego's most prominent tilapia raising experts.Be One with the World Beat
Makeda Dread Cheatom
Spend time with Makeda, founder of the World Beat Center in Baboa Park, midwife of the Raggae movement in San Diego, radio and television hostess and originator of the Prophet Restaurant, one of San Diego's most acclaimed vegetarian eating places of the 1970s. Hear about how she founded the ethno-botany garden in Balboa Park and her new passion, vertical gardening in small spaces.
11:15 - 12:00 Workshop Session 4 (45 Minutes)
Service in Style: Restaurants that Feature Locally Grown Food Add to San Diego's Unique Verve
Arts & Letters 103
Jay Porter, Owner of the Linkery; Andrew Schiff, Co-Founder of Spread; Elena Rivellino, General Manager of Sea Rocket Bistro
More and more restaurants are tuning in to the rhythm of San Diego's year-round growing season, and carving the way for a new cultural vibe in our city. Some are going beyond food service and delving into community-making. Learn what owners and chefs of some of San Diego's hippest restaurants say about their visions of success.
A Beginner's Guide to Backyard Chickens
Arts & Letters 101
Shelly Stewart
Have you ever thought about adding animals to your garden oasis? Love the idea of fresh eggs or unlimited "compost"? If so, then this workshop is for you! Join us as we embark upon all things chicken including the pros and cons of chicken ownership, general terminology, basic anatomy, food/shelter requirements and estimated maintenance costs. We will also address some of the challenges to raising chickens including local predators and city regulations. This light hearted workshop is packed with information to help you decide with confidence if you are ready to start your own city flock.
Composting 101
Scripps Cottage Patio
Salvador Tinajero
Come to this hands on workshop and learn how to compost your kitchen scraps and yard waste into fertilizer for your plants.
Food, Sprituality and Ethics: Working on Developing a Shared Vision of Food and Food Justice
Storm Hall 143
Lacie Watkins-Bush
Food is a large part of how spirituality is expressed. Join us for a discussion of different ways food is incorporated into formal practice, expressed outwardly in how we go about our individual lives. We will also discuss the possibility of creating/inhabiting a shared language of food that is inclusive and challenging.
Our Right to Know: A Workshop on the Current Status of Efforts to Require Labeling of Genetically-Engineered Food & What You Can Do to Help
Storm Hall 144
Nancy Cassady
Nationwide efforts are underway to create a labeling system (much like USDA's and QAI's "organic" symbol and the Fair Trade symbol) whereby food that has been scientifically and genetically manipulated would be clearly marked on its packaging. The movement demands accountability and responsibility in the food production industries, and demystifies the cryptic and deceptive product labels that consumers presently face.
The Face of Agriculture in San Diego (double-session)
Little Theater
Coleen Lassegard, Laurie Dietter, Claudia Naughton
Meet agricultural workers in San Diego and experience their stories told in their own words through the camera lens. Featured is a multimedia presentation and beautiful photo-graphical harvest: Artists in the Fields. All photographs were taken by the agricultural workers themselves in northern San Diego County. We are brought face-to-face with the hardworking men who grow and harvest our food and also capture a rare glimpse into their struggle for dignity. Sponsored by the Szekely Family Foundation.
"1 in 10" in 2010: Find Out How You Can Be the Change in Our San Diego Local Food System!
Arts & Letters 201
Parke Troutman, Annie Lorrie Anderson-Lazo, Malaki Obado, Kathleen Ferrier, Amy Lint, Judy Jacoby, Kristen Kvernland
"1 in 10 in 2010" is a local food policy advocacy group that emerged in 2008 to bring together social equity, sustainability and development, as well as public health efforts to improve the San Diego food system. Come find out how you can get involved in promoting community farms and gardens; farmers' markets; sustainable agriculture, composting, greywater and water policy; beekeeping, city chickens, and more. This session will include an update on 1 in 10 policy work this year, and an open discussion of what we can do to create and implement healthy food policy for our region!
Permaculture 101
Arts & Letters 102
Julia Dashe
Sheet mulching? Keyhole gardens? Herb spirals? Wondering what the heck this whole systems design system is and how you can participate in the growing movement toward PERMA-nent agrii-CULTURE? In this workshop, we will explore the key principles animating our gardens and food forests so that we can create edible ecosystems that mimic nature in all of it's abundance. Lettuce grow food everywhere!
Introduction to the Food Safety Modernization Act #s-510
Storm Hall 145
Leslie Goldman
The (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act was being discussed behind closed doors in Washington around Apiil 10 and has been pending passage for months. This 20-minute briefing will help you understand how the international Codex Alimentarius Commission has influenced this bill. This bill may have already passed by the time of our conference. Hear the positive side of the FDA now coming to our local farmers' markets. A brief intro to the FDA. What can we do not to educate ourselves and others about real Food Safety based on supporting local organic farmers? Why do we have a pressing need to coalese all our local food groups so we can create the movement President Obama has asked to see before he will take action.
12:00 - 1:00 / Lunch
Puppet Insurgency performing The Vegetable Monologues1:00 - 2:15 / Workshop Session 5 (1:15 minutes)
Exploring Your CSA Basket; Fun Seasonal Cooking with Chef Jenn
Storm Hall 143
Jenn Felmley
This demonstration cooking class will give you fun tips and tricks you need to make amazing seasonal, local, and fresh meals. Starting with a CSA box from Suzie's Farm, this class will cover skills like cutting, presentation, and various other culinary techniques. Come join us and enjoy.
Beekeeping for the Intrepid
Storm Hall 144
Karon Klipple, Paul Maschka
Did you know that every third bite of food is because of a honeybee's pollinating prowess? Have you been thinking about doing some backyard beekeeping? Come hear an introduction to honey bees and low-cost, backyard beekeeping.The Future of Water in Southwest US
Arts & Letters 101
Bruce Reznik, Executive Director, San Diego Coastkeeper, Elizabeth Ramos of the Water Conservation Garden
Four years ago, the New York Times reported that a greatly reduced Colorado River would wreak chaos in the seven, southwestern states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. This year, Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, claimed, "We've just completed the hottest decade around the world, and the oceans have reached their hottest records ever." Global warming coupled with our region's desert empire means that we are in for a wild, but dry ride here in San Diego County in the very near future. Come hear a moderated panel discussion about: the elimination of reduced Agricultural water rates in San Diego County in the year 2013; the pros and cons about the proposed future of water in San Diego - desalination; and what you can do to conserve water in your everyday life now.
Creating Community Gardens: Get Involved in Starting, Advocating, and Building a Garden in Your Neighborhood
Storm Hall 142
Amy Lint, Bilal Muya, Beth Mercurio, Noeuth Ith, Rich MacGurn
The interest in community gardens for San Diego is now flourishing! Everyone seems to want them, but what is the process for establishing a garden and whose responsibility is it? Learn about some of the challenges faced and success stories by existing community gardens and how you can get involved to start a garden where you live.
San Diego Growers: Creating a Local Food Distribution Network
Little Theater
Jonathan Reinbold, Lucila De Alejandro
The San Diego Growers' is an initiative for and by SD farmers to Increase the long- -term viability of agriculture through the establishment of a Regional Food Hub that will increase the ease of buying and selling local foods in order to foster increased access to, consumption, affordability and distribution of fresh, healthy and locally grown foods at multiple San Diego institutions such as k-12 schools, senior meal centers, foster group homes, childcare, worksites and probation facilities.Lawn to veggie garden conversion 101
Arts & Letters 103
Misha
From Desert to Dessert: An introduction to turning your lawn or small light-filled space into an oasis of food, beauty, and a bounty of life. There will be examples discussed with plenty of time for questions.
Food Justice and Public Health
Arts & Letters 102
JuliAnna Arnett, Rhonda Freeman MPH, Kathy Jude
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been awarded $16 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote physical activity and healthy eating. HHSA will collaborate with numerous community partners to increase levels of physical activity, improve the accessibility of nutritious foods and reduce obesity and other chronic diseases. This workshop will highlight strategies that drive changes in policy, systems, and environments, which will in turn influence changes in risk behaviors and, over the longer term, improve health.Food preservation as cultural preservation
Storm Hall 145
Bob Ou, Autumn Nguyen
Buying local, seasonal produce doesn't mean you can't enjoy that food year round. People around the world find ways to make food last longer without using industrialized, chemically-based means. Learn various ways to preserve fruits, roots, and veggies. BRING A SMALL JAR if you'd like to participate or bring home cultures. Please sterilize jars beforehand.2:30pm - 3:45pm / Keynote: Barry Logan
3:45pm - 4:00pm / Closing Session
4:00pm - 5:00pm / Music: Satan Dance Party (MySpace)
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