The Small Farms Conference is around the corner! This free virtual event will feature 10 dates that highlight a specific "Track" or small farm topic. To view the full schedule and register for this event visit: https://www.purdue.edu/dffs/smallfarms/sfc-2022/
Keynote speakers:
Malik Kenyatta Yakini is co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates a seven-acre urban farm and is spearheading the opening of the Detroit Food Commons, the new building that will house the Detroit People's Food Co-op, a cooperatively grocery store in Detroit’s North End. Yakini views the work of DBCFSN as part of the larger movement for building power, self-determination, and justice. He is adamantly opposed to the system of white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy. He has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Blacks communities in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. He is a founding member of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance.
Genesis McKiernan-Allen and Liz Brownlee are the founders of the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition, an organization that is building connection and collaboration among farmers across Indiana. They are themselves farmers who, along with their husbands Eli and Nate, have operated 2 successful farms (Full Hand Farm and Nightfall Farm) since 2012 and 2013. Liz and Genesis will share insights about how creating community among diverse farmers is critical to supporting more successful farms in our state, and will outline the ways in which farmers, food councils and farming organizations are coming together to help Indiana’s food system mature and thrive. They will share what’s planned (so far!) for the next few years and seek input from conference attendees to help further shape the future of food and farming in Indiana.