Workshop Description: Join us for an interactive workshop where we'll dive deep into the world of food systems! Learn about how our food is grown, processed, transported, and consumed. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities facing our current food system, including issues like food access, sustainability, and environmental impact. Through engaging discussions and creative activities, you'll have the chance to envision an ideal future for our food system and brainstorm ways to make a difference.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bio: Noah Bloedorn is a food systems professional specializing in urban and regional planning with a focus on community development. His work involves building collaborative networks, fostering grassroots engagement, and creating programs to support sustainable and equitable food systems. He has led key initiatives like the Dane County Food Collective and currently manages a project to create a Food Action Plan for Dane County.
Workshop Description: Unlock the secrets of holistic nutrition and join our empowering workshop on understanding food labels, racial and social justice through food. Delve into the impact of processed food, and "approved" ingredients on your on your mental and physical well-being, learn why dieting and restricting food is harmful and discover strategies for fostering equitable access to healthier choices. Don't miss this opportunity to make informed decisions about what goes into your body and shape a future of vitality and well-being. Your journey to a healthier, more empowered life starts here.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Keena Atkinson, the visionary founder and CEO of R'oujie Wellness, is a versatile wellness professional specializing as a nutritionist, wellness coach, dance fitness instructor, and a 500hr trauma Informed social justice yoga instructor with an Ayurveda perspective. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UW Madison, Keena has journeyed from homelessness to homeowner. She was a 15 year old teen mom, who gave birth while in the foster care system. As a domestic violence survivor Keena raises her two sons intentionally.
Keena is the creator and host of the R'oujie Wellness RetreatTM, she also created and hosts a the Monthly R'oujie Wellness Book Club, Action Academy for Entreprenoirs™, Money Meet Monday™ which is a wealth building mentorship community for Black single mothers in business and also leads a powerful 12 week life transformation program for women who have experienced domestic violence. As a multifamily property owner, Keena provides safe and quality housing to over a dozen people here in Dane county. Keena partners with numerous organizations and businesses to bring lasting generational improvements to the wellbeing of people in the community so that they can enjoy a high quality liberated life, free of or reducing participants chances of preventable illness and diagnosis.
A writer, movement instructor, advocate, nutritionist and poet, Keena hosts podcasts including "R'oujie Ruminations and Revelations" and "Good Bad Breakthru," found on all streaming platforms. Her YouTube channel @keenasfa offers a playlist of over 80 free on-demand yoga classes that she has taught and more. Keena's holistic approach passionately emphasizes parenting, emotional well-being, personal development, women’s menstrual and hormonal health and nutrition. Keena’s passions for positive psychology, social, emotional and brain health, development, literacy and liberation from the inside, out. Please find her on all social media at keenasfa or on her website at http://www.roujiewellness.com
Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will be exploring ways we as community members can directly address food insecurity through involvement in community gardens. Students will discuss the factors behind food insecurity, explore the ways that community gardens can create more equitable access to fresh, nutritious food, and complete a hands-on outdoor gardening activity (weather permitting).
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Movement, Verbal Presentation / Lecture
This workshop is offered: PM, Sessions 3 & 4
Speaker Bio: The Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens is a nonprofit organization that uses community gardens to grow fresh, culturally relevant food for Dane County food pantries. This talk will be led by two of the garden leaders, Matt Lechmaier and Kaila Topping, who both have backgrounds in ecology and sustainable growing.
Workshop Description: What is the Healthy School Meals for All (HSM4A) movement and how it can improve your school lunch? Come share your school lunch experiences, learn about the HSM4A Wisconsin movement, and help create a school lunch program that works for everyone.
Participants can expect: Small group work, Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: PM, Sessions 3 & 4
Speaker Bio: Allison Pfaff Harris's love of local food began as a kid eating handfuls of red raspberries in her grandparents’ garden. As Farm to School Director at REAP Food Group, Allison works to advocate for and support every person involved in growing food to bring to the school cafeteria table. Knowing that Farm to School works best in partnership with strong school nutrition programs, REAP Food Group assists in research and advocates for local, state, and federal policies that benefit students and school nutrition programs as a whole, including Healthy School Meals for All Wisconsin, a movement to bring no-cost school meals to all K-12 Wisconsin students.