Lincoln, Neb. —The third annual Nebraska Regional Food Systems Summit will take place via Zoom Feb. 8-11. The annual summit is intended for anyone interested in access to local food and building resilience in the Nebraska food system, and is hosted by over 10 organizations led by Nebraska Extension
All Nebraskans, no matter their role, need to know what is going on and coordinate with others from across the food systems, said Vanessa Wielenga, assistant extension educator for food access. Nebraska Extension’s Regional Foods Initiative works to connect people and organizations working in the Nebraska food system, and the annual summit is a key part of building those connections. Register here
In the past, the summit has attracted farmers, ranchers, food processors, grocery distributors, health professionals, educators and more. Wielenga hopes those who attend gain a more holistic understanding of growing and sourcing local foods in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative Summit will be held via Zoom. Participants have the option to sign up for each session individually. Participation is free.
Sessions will host featured speakers to share more about equity in the food system, feeding the future, and agricultural practices through climate resiliency. Featured speakers are as follows:
Rob Larew – Food System Equity
Larew was elected National Farmers Union’s 15th president during the organizations 118th anniversary convention in 2020. He previously served as NFU’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, and prior to his employment with NFU, served over 22 years in Congress and USDA. Larew was raised on a dairy farm in Greenville, West Virginia, graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science in dairy science and completed graduate work in agronomy at Pennsylvania State University.
Sommer Silbilly-Brown – Feeding the Future with Farm to School
Silbilly-Brown is an advocate for food equity and justice. Her passion led her to founding the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition, Inc., a place-based organization that works toward security, sovereignty and sustainability for all. She has worked with farmers, chefs, teachers, and local and state agencies, multiple national universities and testified in front of Congress. She is also the creator Food Learn, a program that exposes youth in the U.S. Virgin Islands to food system conversations.
Jess Halliday – Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices
Halliday is a consultant, researcher and journalist specializing in food policy. As an associate of the RUAF Global Partnership, she works with a number of cities, non-government organizations and universities around the world on policies and programs for sustainable, resilient urban and city region food systems. She holds a doctorate in food policy from City University of London. She is now based near the city of Montpellier in southern France.
Panel speakers on various topics are as follows:
Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices
- Delberta Frazier – Teacher, A’shita the’wathe! (Let’s Go Outside!) Program, Omaha Nation Public Schools
- Carrie Horazeck – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Jeff Jirovec – Found and Operator of Growth with the Flow Aquaponis
- Alex McKiernan – Co-Founder and Financial Manager of Robinette Farms
- Brenda Murphy – Program Coordinator of A’shita the’wathe! (Let’s Go Outside!) Program, Omaha Nation Public Schools
Food System Equity
- Andrea Basche – Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Senator Tony Vargas – Nebraska Legislature District 7
Feeding the Future with Farm to School
- Mary Carman – Food Service Director, Gering Public Schools
- Senator Tom Brandt – Nebraska Legislature District 32
Food Access
- Nancy Williams – Co-Founder and President/CEO of No More Empty Pots
- Cecilia Saavedra – Garden Coordinator at Latino Center of the Midlands and Whispering Roots
To learn more about the upcoming summit, visit foodsystems.unl.edu/2021-summit. Those interested in seeking updates should sign up here.