Bring Food Home Conference in Peterborough

Do you see some familiar faces in the crowd at the Bring Food Home Conference?

Farms at Work was the regional partner for the province-wide Bring Food Home Conference, held in Peterborough from Oct 27-29, 2011. Along with partner Sustain Ontario and others across the province, FAW was involved in many aspects of the conference planning. Most important, however, was ensuring that farmers and agriculture and food organizations in the Kawarthas had every opportunity to attend and to fully participate in the proceedings. 

The Conference attracted more than 500 attendees, and included a farmer training day, more than 50 workshops and a trade show. The Bring Food Home Conference is held every 18 months to 2 years, in a different location each time. Some of the conference’s informative workshops included: Local Food in the Broader Public Sector; Profitable Winter Vegetable Production; Grazing – From the Ground Up; Farming in the City – An Introduction to Urban Agriculture; The Role of Co-ops in Ontario’s Food Sector; and Food as a Public Good – Local Organizations, Local Processing.

The turnout from within the region was impressive. Mayor Daryl Bennett and Deputy Warden Barry Rand, as well as FAW Director Pat Learmonth, were all afforded an opportunity to speak. Many compliments were received regarding the impressive level of awareness of our elected officials on issues surrounding food and farming in the area.