The Local and Regional Foods Resources & Research webinar series, a monthly webinar series highlighting local and regional foods research projects, resources, partnerships, and programs.
Register for the Local and Regional Foods Resources & Research Webinar Series
Upcoming Webinars
The Promise of Urban Agriculture: Courses for Grower and Planners
When: Thursday, January 16, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Topic: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms Program and Rooted has developed the Promise of Urban Agriculture courses to provide critical information for building or supporting successful commercial urban farms. The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses represent an innovative and holistic approach to support robust urban farming businesses and communities by addressing city planners, policymakers, and farmers alike. The courses, now available on the Cornell Small Farms Program website, educate participants through unique video content and materials about topics including, Accessing Urban Land for Farming, Urban Farm Planning and Management, and Sources of Urban Farm Income.
Past Webinars
Key Findings from the Consumer Food Insights Series
When: Thursday, December 19, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Topic: The Consumer Food Insights (CFI) series highlights changing food purchasing patterns since the pandemic. Highlighting findings from the third nationwide Consumer Food Insights survey, Dr. Jairus Rossi (University of Kentucky), Dr. Dawn Thilmany (Colorado State University), Mackenzie Gill (Colorado State University), and Jayna Mallon (Colorado State University) will discuss the drivers of local and regional consumer purchases in 2023 with a particular focus on regional opportunities. The webinar will also highlight key takeaways for food businesses, opportunities, and strategies, drawn from the survey findings presented. The Consumer Food Insights survey is part of the Local and Regional Food Systems Response to Covid project, a cooperative agreement between USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Colorado State University, and the University of Kentucky.
The Local and Regional Food Systems Resilience Playbook
When: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Topic: In the wake of the devastation from recent hurricanes, this webinar gathers food systems leaders to explore strategies for supporting recovery and resilience of local and regional food systems in the face of natural and man-made disruptions. Panelists will highlight the interconnected efforts required to build resilient food systems, including lessons from past, current, and future initiatives. This webinar builds on the frameworks of the USDA's Local and Regional Food Systems Resilience Playbook, which uses real-world examples to demonstrate how resilience is an ongoing, adaptive process shaped by community strengths and vulnerabilities. The discussion-based panel will explore how resilience requires engagement with diverse partners and maintaining inclusive networks before, during, and after a crisis. Join us to hear more about how the work of local and regional food systems is the work of resilience through their flexibility, diversity, and ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Regional Food Business Center Program Highlights
When: Thursday, October 17, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Topic: An update on the Regional Food Business Center Program and will include representatives from different centers sharing about their region-specific initiatives and activities. This webinar will also share information on the centers’ impacts over the first year of the program and highlight how stakeholders can get involved with their local center.