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Posted - Aug 02 2007 : 12:56:26 PM
What: Women, Food, and Farming: A Roundtable Discussion
When: August 13, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Where: Scarritt Bennett campus
Why: Women have a unique and important position in the food and agriculture system: they own almost half the nation’s agricultural land and a disproportionately high percentage of the nation’s small, alternative-crop farms; they receive the majority of food and nutrition program payments; and they are the primary shoppers and food preparers for their households. Join three local and national experts on women, food, and farming as they spark discussion about women’s unique role in the food system, women’s role in promoting community food security, and barriers to and opportunities for women interested in farming. This discussion is aimed at women in agriculture and women with an interest in food and agriculture. Women interested in learning more about becoming farmers are particularly encouraged to attend.
Who:
Denise O’Brien has been an organic farmer and farm activist for over 30 years. She is the founder of Women, Food, and Agriculture Network, served as President of the National Family Farm Coalition from 1993-1995, and was the 2006 Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. Denise is a national expert on women in agriculture has served as a delegate to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Committee on Agriculture in Rome, Italy. In 1997 she addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on behalf of farmers. She farms in Atlantic, IA.
Tana Comer created Eaton’s Creek Organics from the ground up, and is now its resident farmer, beekeeper and master gardener. Eaton’s Creek Organics (ECO) is a community based operation located in Davidson County, Tennessee on a 12 acre city farm. ECO sells CERTIFIED organic vegetables, herbs and flowers at the Franklin Farmers’ Market, local health food stores, restaurants and shareholders of our Winter Harvest subscription. Tana is currently the President of the Franklin Farmers’ Market Association and is Secretary of the Tennessee Organic Growers Association.
Cassi Johnson is the Program Coordinator of the Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee, an organization that works to bring people together to create and sustain a secure and healthy food system for Middle Tennessee, from production to consumption. Previously she served as Development and Outreach Director for Women, Food, and Agriculture Network (WFAN) in Iowa. Through her work with WFAN she developed a beginning farmers’ program for women, engaged women in dialogue about the 2007 Farm Bill, and assisted with efforts to empower women landowners become involved with conservation efforts.
Cassi Johnson
Program Coordinator, Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee
Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies
1207 18th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37212
615-322-5638
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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