Don’t miss these items in local food and agriculture news from around our region:
April 20 — Thundermist Community Garden Opening Day
Celebrate Earth Day with garden cleanup and potato and pea planting! There will be health snacks, free seeds, and more. This event is open to everyone! (weather permitting) Join us 10am to 2pm at 186 Providence St, West Warwick.
April 25 — The Biggest Little Farm
newportFILM is having a cocktail reception and screening of the film The Biggest Little Farm at the Casino Theatre in Newport! Wine and light bites will be served starting at 6pm and the film will start at 7:15. After the film, there will also be a panel discussion with local farmers — moderated by a representative from Aquidneck Community Table.
The Biggest Little Farm chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature’s conflicts, the Chester’s unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination.
Featuring breathtaking cinematography, captivating animals, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call, The Biggest Little Farm provides us all a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet.
Watch the trailer and get your tickets!
May 20 — The Farm Bill for RI Citizens, A Brown Bag Lunch
Have you ever wondered about exactly what is in the Farm Bill, its origins and history, and the battles that will determine the direction of food policy in the coming years? Then join The Rhode Island Food Policy Council at Social Enterprise Greenhouse (10 Davol Square, Providence), 12-1pm, for a discussion of the new book The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide!. Authors Daniel Imhoff and Christina Badaracco translate this nearly 1,000-page document into an easy-to-read 200 pages. Come learn about how farm subsidies, SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), and conservation programs are changing.
Nov 8-10 — It Takes A Region Conference: Call for Proposals!
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG)is looking for sessions that tackle systemic issues with engaging activities and presentations that prioritize the leadership and voices of those most impacted by the issue discussed. Priority will be given to sessions presented by traditionally underrepresented groups that directly address some aspect of inequity in the food system. You will be asked to indicate this representation in the form.
Here are the tracks:
- Racial and Immigrant Justice in the Food System- Stories, presentations, and trainings related to racial injustice and immigration in the food system
- Farm and Food Policy Advocacy- Hear from policy advocates from all corners of the food system
- Urban and Rural Sustainable Agriculture- Urban growers and gardeners, rural farmers, and ag researchers and educators are all presenting under this track.
- Farm to Fork Supply Chains- Production, distribution, processing, preparation – everything that brings food from seed to plate.
- Youth Leaders (13-18)- Teenagers from around the Northeast sharing stories, skills, and community. Sessions closed to only Youth are indicated in session description.