Receptions, Plenaries and Keynotes

From Commodity to Community: Pathways To The Possible

Sunday October 11, 9:00-11:00 am

Morning Plenary

Community food security advocates have often been involved in re-configuring their community’s food system or in creating alternative business ventures. Can these efforts collectively re-shape on a large scale the nature of the industrial food system, of which Iowa is at the heart? How far can we get with our current strategy of creating market and policy openings for community-based food systems without running into roadblocks? Can the greening of corporate practices dramatically shift the nature of the food system, or is it too a niche strategy? This plenary will examine these questions, as well as the changing context for policy reform.

Moderator:

Cathleen Kneen, Food Secure Canada

Presenters:

Hal Hamilton, Sustainable Food Lab
Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center
Eduardo Sanchez, Blue Cross of TX

Food Sovereignty Prize and Keynote Speaker

Sunday, October 11, 12:45 – 2:30 PM

Lunchtime Keynote by a representative from Vía Campesina

During lunch on Sunday, CFSC will present an award for the 1st annual Food Sovereignty Prize to La Vía Campesina. A representative from the organization will receive the prize and then give a keynote lecture.

The Food Sovereignty Prize, sponsored by the Community Food Security Coalition and other organizations, is being awarded to the international movement La Vía Campesina because the organization has significantly promoted food sovereignty by raising public awareness and working in communities throughout the world. Additionally, Honorable Mentions have been awarded to Community Alliance for Global Justice (United States), International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Kenya), and the Toronto Food Policy Council (Canada).

Read more about the 1st Annual Food Sovereignty Prize at the CFSC website.

Iowa Garden of Eatin’ Opening Celebration

Sunday, October 11, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Western Gateway Park, 13th and Locust street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Evening Reception

The Pappajohn Sculpture Garden is located in the thirteen-acre Western Gateway Park. The park is located from 10th to 15th Streets between Grand Avenue and Locust Street at the west entrance into the city’s downtown district; the specific site is located on the six acres between 13th and 15th Streets.

Sunday night we open our doors to the public to celebrate good food and a growing movement with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms prepared by local chefs of fine cuisine restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour in the sculpture garden featuring local beers and wines, as well as fresh, seasonal appetizers from some of Des Moines finest restaurants.

Then we will move into the Dining area for a freshly prepared meal with locally sourced ingredients, and a keynote address. Dinner will feature several themes designed to highlight the local harvest.

Tickets for this event can be purchased for $40. Admission is included with full conference registration. Tickets will also be available at the door. Purchase a ticket

From Commodity to Communities of Practice: The Story of Building Resilient Networks for Food System Change

Monday October 12, 2009 9:00-10:30 am

Morning Plenary

Across Iowa, working groups using a communities of practice framework have been created to catalyze change and address food systems challenges at the local and regional level. This plenary will describe some of the successes of these communities, as well as engage participants in identifying ways communities of practice could be developed, managed, and funded elsewhere. The last 20-30 minutes will be dedicated to small group discussion.

Presenter and Moderator:

Rich Pirog, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Value Chain Partnerships

Presenters:

Arion Thiboumery, Iowa State University
Sue Honkamp, food consultant
Gary Huber, Practical Farmers of Iowa

How [What] Will the World Eat? US Impact on Global Food Security

Monday, October 12, 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm

Evening Reception and Keynote by World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Hans R. Herren

With more than 7,000 plants available for food, 60 percent of the global diet is derived from corn, wheat and rice. Farm organizations and food industries often claim that advances in biotechnology of these crops are required to meet growing demands on the food supply – but at what cost? Join 1995 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Hans Herren as he explores an agricultural agenda that establishes global food security, environmental sustainability and social justice. Dr. Herren is the co-author of “Agriculture at a Crossroads” developed by the International Assessment of Agriculture Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development. An esteemed panel will respond to Dr. Herren on how the United States can positively impact global food security followed by dialog with the audience. This reception is sponsored by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Food and Society Policy Fellows Program.

A Fair Share for Labor in the Food System

Tuesday October 13, 2009, 8:30-10:00 am

Morning Plenary

Plentiful and inexpensive labor is an essential component of both the industrial and sustainable food systems, on and off-farm. Immigrants make up much of this cheap labor force. This plenary will explore how US agricultural policies have driven recent immigration from Mexico and Central America. It will include discussions of strategies activists are undertaking to make sure that labor gets its fair share.