----------forwarded message----------
From: Stephanie WEisenbach <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001
Subject: An event such as this...
Hello, and thank you for being in this circle. This has been sent to many
people and will (hopefully) be forwarded to many more so allow me to
introduce myself and all the aspects of this process.
I am Stephanie Weisenbach, and I employ my efforts at New City Market. I
coordinate the dynamics of the produce cooler, and I have began networking
alot to circles regarding an event such as this.
It will take place on May 5, 2001 at the Aldersgate Methodist church in
Urbandale. The space available is a large gymnasium with a max capacity of
900 people, 5 classrooms with capacities from 15 to 40, a separate room for
110, and a large kitchen. I have contacted circles of people to become
initiated to form an event supporiting progressive agriculture/consumer
awareness looking toward the vision of nurturing our environment and the
soil at our roots. I have decided a method of email for spreading the word
to folks. I will inform you of the process this is going through and where
the current communication lies with those parties involved.
The day's events: The morning will consist of an 8 am registration/
introduction. There will be a request of RSVP leading up until the day. No
cost to get in, yet people can pre-register and pre-pay for the lunch
provided.(Cost of meal still undecided.) Intro displays can be set up in the
gymnasium. I've considered doing an introductory slide show- ANYONE with
ideas on this? The first round of sessions can take place in each of the
rooms.
There are a few people lined up so far to fill these spaces of facilitation.
*Laura Karlan, from West Bend, IA, will be coming to speak about
Permiculture. She received a certification in Oregon for Permiculture she
will be presenting a slide show and discussing how the concepts of
Permiculture are applied in different situations of organic growth. She will
be discussing cob, an alternative building material made from clay, straw,
and sand. Very interactively focused, people will go through group
activities of applying concepts to expand creativity with the resources
around us. Enjoyable to growers, market consumer; well rounded.
*Jim Raife, co-owner of New City Markets and certified nutritionist, will be
discussing the connection of soil in the earth to the human digestive
system. He will share aspects in the growth of natural foods business. Plans
will be discussed about the future connections to local organic growers.
*Amy Best, from Ames, is the chairperson of the outreach committee for INCA,
Iowa Network for Comminity Agriculture. She has learned alot about the food
safety through various means, effects of agriculture on the enviroment, and
more. She is in Mexico doing a study on the agricultural dynamics. She is
soon going to work with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. She
is doing an interactive presentation.
*Teva Dawson, community gardens coordinator at the Botanical Center, will do
a workshop introducing gardening. She will speak about community gardens
here in Des Moines.
NOTE: There are more spots open for sessions to be facilitated in the
morning sector from 9-12:30. Many sessions are going to happen more than
once depending on how many potential ones arise, so people can go to all the
ones they want to with RSVP's. Lunch will be served with an intro from the
preparers. There is potential interest from the Vegetarian Community of
Iowa, an organization here that enjoys doing luncheons.
This will be discussed at their meeting next Thursday night.
Larry Cleverly, a local farmer and organizer will discuss local food
circuits and Niman Ranch meats that will be outside on the grill. I've also
heard word that Ostrich meat will be served by a farmer around
Indianola.(Lack of name)
NOTE: I think the size of the meal will require volunteers for helping out
with preparation that morning and even the evening before. Set up, clean up
volunteers needed.
The lunch will be buffet style. Organic food will be ordered through New
City Market and whatever local produce there is around. There is a potential
keynote speaker that is almost definite to come and will confirm it next
week.
**Sheila Knoploh-Odole, coming from Washington, D.C. Sheila works with the
Center for Food Safety and the IInternational Center for Technology
Assessment. A native to northern Iowa, she will come to speak about some
current food safety concerns and the action taken in the nation's capital.
*Another speaker that could potentially interact with the large group, or
with smaller numbers, is Maury Wills. He is the organic representative for
Iowa in the USDA. He has agreed to come and speak about the new organic
standards and their impact on the current situation.
The afternoon has so many different options available: More workshops,
particularly an in depth permiculture group. Discussion groups with Maury
and Sheila, facilitated growers sharing methods group... Also, the gymnasium
could fill with tables from farming organizations, ways for people to get
involved, a stage with live Iowa bluegrass- ideas, ideas? Any theater groups
wanting to express these issues dramatically/symbolically?
I am searching out there and finding leads. Much more potential input is out
there. Iowa Network for Community Agriculture will be discussing options for
this event at the board meeting next Thursday. Who's ready to take some
action here? Publicity ideas? If you'd like to attend, just wait until the
next email update or look for flyers at New City Market.
Please email me regarding ideas or call at (515)277-7402. I am looking for a
few more topics to be covered. By no means does this vision belong just to
me. Whoever wants to expand upon this, please feel free and get in contact
with me. Thanks.
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