This year’s Gathering is all about “Cultivating Connections.” Coming out of the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, the desire to reconnect in-person runs deep. With global events intensifying fissures in our society, supply chains, and the climate, more than ever, we need approaches, models, programs, and innovation spanning the private and public sectors that bring people together to strengthen the environmental, social, and economic fabric of our food system. This is our first opportunity in two years, and since the launch of the new Farm to Plate Network structure, to truly be in the presence of one another as a full Network and to strengthen and forge new connections in the process that are vital to realizing the vision and goals of Vermont’s 10-year food system plan.
In addition to breakout sessions that embody the theme and span topic areas of food security, supporting beginning and young farmers, financing regenerative farming systems, supporting the future of Vermont dairy, understanding the state of migrant farmworkers, and lessons learned about disaster preparedness and food resilience, this year’s Gathering will engage participants in group activities that cultivate connections within the Farm to Plate Network, as well as between individuals and organizations working to strengthen Vermont’s food system.
