After a long day of learning, my SC ladies and I sat down for a reeeaallly yummy dinner with new friends and farmers from PA, NJ and Vermont. I met a woman my age who grew up in the town next to mine in NJ, spoke with a woman raising lambs in PA, and several small farmers in VT-these ladies were so fun to hang out with. Especially Diane Imrie who, as well as working on starting her own farm, co-authored a beautiful cookbook, "Cooking Close to Home". The recipies are created around what veggies are fresh and in season (no cheating)! It was such a pleasure meeting Diane!
We all shared success stories, discussed difficulties, explained our businesses to one another and definitely shared lots of laughter. After dinner, our Keynote Speaker, Karen Washington, shared her story of finding a passion for growing, for fresh food and for creating change in her community. She is the president and cofounder of the New York City Community Garden Coalition and the Black Urban Growers (BUGs), I love it! The mission of these organizations, as she says, is "the preservation, creation, and empwerment of community gardens through education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing/" . Karen travels to other cities as a Just Food Trainer and teaches about the role of food and agriculture in social justice issues. I could keep listing her accomplishments, but you get the jist! She is a powerful speaker with a great sense of humor, and is an inspiration as to how one person can influence change. If I flew up just to hear this great woman speak, it would have been worth it!
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