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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250925T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250925T140000
DTSTAMP:20250911T162000Z
CREATED:20250414T182818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T162000Z
UID:10000682-1758805200-1758808800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round | Feeding the Climate Transition: Where SAFSF Members Are Leading
DESCRIPTION:Can’t make it to New York City for Climate Week? Join our September Gather Round to explore how climate change connects with food and agriculture systems beyond carbon emissions.   As climate change accelerates\, these systems face unprecedented pressure\, disrupting ecosystems\, food security\, and public health. It’s critical to anticipate and address these hurdles to build a future where people and the planet can thrive together. \n\n\n\nThe Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month.  \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are automatically enrolled in Gather Round meetings\, and will see the calendar invitations. If you do not\, email membership@safsf.org to receive access. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-september/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T120000
DTSTAMP:20250922T190041Z
CREATED:20250828T191351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T190041Z
UID:10000707-1757588400-1757592000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:September Small Funders Learning Community Call
DESCRIPTION:This is a space for SAFSF members who identify as small funders to explore collective insights and discuss how our unique strengths can drive meaningful change. During this call\, we will hear from Amy Mattias\, Executive Director of Future Roots (SAFSF Member based in Idaho and formerly Sun Valley Institute for Resilience)\, who will share some lessons and celebrations of starting and implementing a revolving loan fund. The addition of a revolving loan fund can be a creative model for small funders to extend the impact of their grantmaking through different forms of capital tools. \n\n\n\nDiscussion topics will include:  \n\n\n\n\nHow to start a revolving loan fund\n\n\n\nChallenges encountered along the way and what to look out for\n\n\n\nHow it’s going now\, highlights and positive impacts\n\n\n\n\nWhether you have been part of this Learning Community for a while or are new to the conversation\, your perspective is valuable and very welcome. We’re looking forward to seeing you and discussing how this community can support small funders at this moment.  \n\n\n\nThis is a SAFSF member-only group. If you identify as a small funder within the SAFSF membership and are interested in joining\, please register below.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/september-small-funders-learning-community-call/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250909T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250909T123000
DTSTAMP:20251022T190410Z
CREATED:20250723T221733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251022T190410Z
UID:10000699-1757415600-1757421000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Funding Communications and Journalism for Movement Building in Food Systems
DESCRIPTION:The stories we tell—and who tells them—shape public perception\, policy\, and action in our food systems. While corporations spend billions to control narratives\, progressive voices advocating for sustainability\, equity\, and health are often underfunded and overshadowed. The result: misinformation\, polarization\, and an urgent need for systemic narrative change.This session\, first presented at the 2025 SAFSF Forum\, will explore the critical yet often overlooked role of communications and journalism play in food systems\, including: \n\n\n\n\nHow storytelling and independent journalism shape public opinion\, policy\, and movements.\n\n\n\nThe impact of corporate influence\, media consolidation\, and public distrust in traditional media.\n\n\n\nStrategies for funders to support authentic\, impactful storytelling that drives change.\n\n\n\n\nFeaturing insights from journalists\, funders\, and movement leaders\, this discussion will examine challenges facing progressive communicators and explore funding strategies to strengthen independent journalism\, amplify grassroots voices\, and build coalitions for narrative change.This webinar is open to all funders. Registrants will receive notes and key takeaways following the call. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary Notes & Key Takeaways\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAna Bradley\, Executive Director\, Sentient Media (Moderator)\n\n\n\nAna Bradley is the Executive Director of Sentient\, the only non-profit\, nonpartisan news outlet solely focused on reporting on the effects of industrial agriculture on the environment\, public health\, animals\, rural communities and climate change. She has led Sentient since January 2020.Prior to Sentient\, she led an agency in London\, where she worked with global clients and corporations for over a decade to help build dedicated digital communities. She championed women in tech and community building in creative industries. Ana is an experienced leader\, digital content strategist and producer with over ten years of experience designing\, producing\, and distributing large-scale digital media campaigns. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdam Hymans\, Managing Director\, Resource Media\n\n\n\nAdam is an award-winning communications leader at Resource Media\, bringing two decades of experience shaping culture\, shifting policy and strengthening organizations for lasting impact.Resource Media—a national 501(c)(3) creative change agency—delivers strategic communications\, creative campaigns and capacity building designed to both drive change and build durable narrative power within fellow nonprofits\, foundations\, governments and movement networks.Adam heads the food systems practice at RM and leads national and community-based initiatives at the intersection of climate\, healthcare and civic engagement. His approach is grounded in ancestral wisdom\, cutting-edge research\, and the collective imagination of clients and community partners. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeshani Jani\, Director of Communications\, HEAL Food Alliance\n\n\n\nNeshani is the Communications Director at HEAL Food Alliance\, leading media and communications strategy to amplify HEAL’s vision. She develops framing\, narrative\, messaging\, and branding that elevate HEAL’s members and their impact. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit communications and strategic development—both locally and globally—she blends storytelling and strategy to grow power and shift narratives. Based in Oakland\, CA\, on Ohlone land\, Neshani lives\, works\, and builds community with purpose. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEsperanza Pallana\, Executive Director\, Wildseeds Fund\n\n\n\nEsperanza Pallana is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management\, specializing in philanthropy\, communications\, and policy advocacy. As Executive Director of Wildseeds Fund\, she provides strategic leadership to expand grantmaking capacity\, strengthen community-led decision-making\, and advance movement-led philanthropy. \n\n\n\nEsperanza has pioneered innovative community investment strategies such as community-controlled capital processes\, liberatory frameworks for impact investing\, reparative fee programs\, and collaborative fundraising. In a previous role\, Esperanza leveraged over $79.6 million to direct measurable impact in equitable food systems. She has served on nonprofit and government boards\, where she successfully navigated startup growth\, scale-up phases\, legacy transitions\, and strategic overhauls. Esperanza has also consulted on equity initiatives\, organizational development\, and civic engagement for foundations\, policy organizations\, and cultural institutions. She is a creative and dedicated driver of movement-led investments and strategic partnerships to advance community self-determination\, economic empowerment\, and leadership development. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosh Wise\, Managing Director and Publisher\, Public News Service\n\n\n\nJosh Wise is the Managing Director and Publisher at Public News Service. Josh got his start working for social impact when his mom gave him baseball card money for helping with a fundraising mailing when he was 6. He still has an affinity for putting labels on envelopes. Since then Josh has held leadership positions in the nonprofit and social impact sectors for over a decade. Josh has a BA from Macalester College and Masters in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University\, and a Special Engineer’s license from the state of Minnesota which means he can operate low-pressure commercial boilers. It’s a long story. He lives in St. Paul\, MN with his family of 5 and several animals.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/funding-communications-and-journalism-for-movement-building-in-food-systems/
CATEGORIES:SAFSF Forum,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250903T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250903T113000
DTSTAMP:20251001T164450Z
CREATED:20250724T210031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T164450Z
UID:10000703-1756893600-1756899000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:From Charity to Justice: Advocating for Food as a Human Right
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is hosted by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and sponsored by Global Alliance for the Future of Food. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur food system should exist to nourish people\, promote health and well-being\, and sustain the planet. Yet today\, it prioritizes producing fuel and livestock feed\, contributes to chronic health disparities—especially in communities of color—drives climate change\, and entrenches food insecurity. This system fails to deliver on its most essential purpose: ensuring equitable access to healthy\, sustainable food for all through dignified means. Approximately 47 million people experienced food insecurity in 2023. It’s time for a radical shift that stops framing the industrial food system as a model for charity and food as a commodity\, and declares food as a human right.  \n\n\n\nRealizing the right to food will require coordinated reform across many sectors\, including food systems\, agriculture\, public health\, labor\, and the environment. This webinar will feature members and partners of the National Right to Food Community of Practice\, a coalition of more than 200 advocates and food systems leaders organizing with communities and creating building blocks for a broad-based social movement. Speakers will discuss their ongoing work challenging dominant narratives\, organizing across regionally diverse coalitions\, leveraging policy and advocacy for structural change\, and engaging with global allies. \n\n\n\nThis webinar is open to all funders. Registrants will receive notes and key takeaways following the call. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nResources:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary Notes & Key Takeaways\n\n\n\nA Holistic Approach to Right to Food in the U.S.\n\n\n\nThe Right to Food in the United States\n\n\n\nWhat do we mean by the right to food?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlison Cohen\, Co-Founder\, National Right to Food CoP\n\n\n\n\nAlison has worked as an organizer and advocate alongside grassroots-led organizations and social movements in rural and urban communities for nearly 30 years in the struggle to build people- and ecologically-centered food and farming systems in the United States and throughout the world. Alison believes that grassroots-led social movements are the most effective means for dismantling inequitable systems and erecting new socially just ones. She is a co-founder of the National Right to Food CoP. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNoel Didla\, Co-Chair\, Mississippi Food Policy Council\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nNoel Didla is an immigrant from Guntur\, South India\, making Jackson\, Mississippi home. Noel currently serves as the co-chair of the MS Food Policy Council and co-leads strategy\, resource generation\, design\, community engagement and research for the MS Food Systems Fellowship. As someone hailing from the Global South living in the Deep South\, Noel is committed to human rights\, racial equity\, economic equity and environmental justice centered transformative change as informed by the truths and legacies of peoples and places. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLuke Elzinga\, Policy and Advocacy Manager\, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nLuke Elzinga is the policy and advocacy manager at the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network\, which last year assisted over 75\,000 people facing food insecurity in Greater Des Moines. Luke is the current board chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition and a co-chair of the Iowa Food System Coalition’s Local Food Policy Network priority team. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and Master of Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmy Jo Hutchison\, Co-Founder\, Voices of Hunger West Virginia\, and West Virginia Campaign Director\, MomsRising\n\n\n\n\nAmy Jo is an organizer for economic justice who campaigns against poverty and hunger in West Virginia where she is a lifelong resident. Her lived experience is centered around poverty and raising her two children alone. In February 2020\, Amy Jo spoke to the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding the poverty level. Her testimony went viral and spurred her to found a grassroots movement called Rattle the Windows\, where poor and marginalized folks are the experts and the leaders who come together to work toward economic justice and equity in their local communities\, in West VA and throughout the nation. She is a co-founder and member of Voices of Hunger WV and serves as the WV Campaign Director for MomsRising. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnna Lappé\, Executive Director\, Global Alliance for the Future of Food\n\n\n\n\nNamed one of TIME’s “eco” Who’s-Who\, Anna is the founder or co-founder of three national organizations\, including Real Food Media\, a communications strategy non-profit\, and the Small Planet Fund\, which supports democratic social movements worldwide. In 2016\, she launched the Food Sovereignty Fund of the Panta Rhea Foundation. In this role\, Anna worked closely with philanthropic partners around the world\, including the Global Alliance of the Future of Food\, the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, and the Agroecology Fund. She is an active board member of the Rainforest Action Network and serves on the Steering Committees of the Food and Farm Communications Fund and the Castanea Fellowship. A recipient of the James Beard Leadership Award\, Anna is the co-author or author of three books on food\, farming\, and sustainability and the contributing author to\, or featured in\, nineteen more. Anna’s work has been translated internationally and featured in The Washington Post\, The New York Times\, Gourmet\, and Oprah Magazine\, among many other outlets. A frequent public speaker\, her popular TEDx talks and Food MythBuster videos have been viewed nearly 2 million times. \n\n\n\nAnna is based in the San Francisco Bay Area where she lives with her husband and daughters. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJane Schmitz\, Director\, From Now On Fund\n\n\n\n\nJane\, Director of the From Now On Fund\, taught public health at Occidental College from 2011-2019. She is active locally within her own community and nationally to promote nutrition security for children and families. Jane serves on the Board of Center for Science in the Public Interest. She has a doctoral degree in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMoses Viveros\, Executive Director of Food Access Organizations\, YMCA of Seattle\n\n\n\n\nMoses Viveros (they/them/theirs) is a community advocate that has connections to different Food Access work and movements in their hometown of Chicago\, Minneapolis\, and now Seattle where they currently live. Moses has worn many hats which include supporting these works and movements as a researcher\, board member\, staff member\, and as an organizer. In their current role as Executive Director of Food Access at the YMCA of Greater Seattle\, Moses oversees a suite of Food Access programs that support the needs of communities across the entirety of King County. Previously\, Moses worked with the City of Minneapolis to support the development of an equitable and sustainable food system in the Twin Cities region. Moses also currently supports different community-led projects which include organizing with Beet Street Zine and supporting food redistribution efforts through the Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition (CFSC).
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/from-charity-to-justice-advocating-for-food-as-a-human-right/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/food-access.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T120000
DTSTAMP:20250312T170350Z
CREATED:20250131T172818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250312T170350Z
UID:10000660-1756378800-1756382400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Maximize Your Membership Q3
DESCRIPTION:Maximize Your Membership is an orientation webinar for SAFSF members\, new and veteran! If you are new staff at a new or long-time SAFSF member organization\, have not engaged in SAFSF programming or member benefits yet yourself\, want a refresher on all that is available to you as a SAFSF member organization\, or just want to connect\, join us! \n\n\n\nThis quarterly membership call features our newest SAFSF members  – help us welcome them into this community. Join Clare Fox\, Executive Director\, and Holly Hanes\, Senior Membership Associate\, for a deep dive into all things SAFSF\, including: \n\n\n\n\nCelebrating & sharing your membership internally and externally;\n\n\n\nMember Perks – including the annual Forum\, exclusive offerings\, and Learning Communities; \n\n\n\nHow to access your SAFSF benefits; \n\n\n\nSAFSF Professional and Leadership Development Pathways; \n\n\n\nTools and resources available to you; \n\n\n\nEvent Preview \n\n\n\n\nThis energizing conversation will excite you for the quarter ahead and expose you to one (or many!) benefits of membership that you were not utilizing to help in maximizing your SAFSF experience. Meet other members\, learn the SAFSF processes\, and get engaged! This event is a free\, SAFSF member only event. Interested in SAFSF membership? Email us. (membership@safsf.org) \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo register for this program\, you must be logged in and a member of SAFSF. \nPlease log in or register for an account.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/maximize-your-membership-q3/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T130000
DTSTAMP:20250821T161051Z
CREATED:20250724T161148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250821T161051Z
UID:10000700-1756296000-1756299600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:August Health Funders Learning Community Call
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our next Health Funders Learning Community call on Wednesday\, August 27\, at 12:00 – 1:00 pm PT. This call is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow SAFSF members funding at the intersection of health\, agriculture\, and food systems\, and engage in a meaningful discussion around specific challenges in funding health solutions. \n\n\n\nDuring the call\, we will explore:  \n\n\n\n\nThe issues you and your organization are most deeply engaged with right now\n\n\n\nHow your organization is advancing food justice and food equity while navigating today’s political climate\n\n\n\nHow your organization is responding to SNAP cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and identifying opportunities for collaborative\, responsive funding\n\n\n\n\nThis is a SAFSF member-only call. If you are interested in exploring membership\, please contact our membership team. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo register for this learning community\, you must be logged in and a member of SAFSF. \nPlease log in or register for an account.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/august-health-funders-learning-community-call/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/food-recovery.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250821T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250821T140000
DTSTAMP:20250819T194256Z
CREATED:20250414T182549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T194256Z
UID:10000681-1755781200-1755784800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round: Movement Aligned Funding in the Wake of Federal Cuts
DESCRIPTION:The Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held on the third Thursday of every month at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month.  \n\n\n\nThe August 2025 Gather Round session will explore what it means to be movement-aligned funders in a time of rising authoritarianism\, shrinking federal support\, and shifting philanthropic priorities. This member-only space will highlight the role of different types of funders – including intermediaries\, CDFIs\, investors\, and foundations – in sustaining and scaling community-rooted solutions in quickly changing conditions. \n\n\n\nThis month’s session invites members to reflect on ways we can shift funding praxis to model solidarity\, accountability\, and partnership with the communities most impacted by the evisceration of federal funding opportunities. What does it mean to be “movement aligned” as a funder? What is the role of philanthropy in movements for change? What are food and agriculture movement groups calling for now? Come share what you are hearing and reflecting on with your peers. This is a space to connect\, listen\, and learn from one another—all SAFSF members are welcome! \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are automatically enrolled in Gather Round meetings\, and will see the calendar invitations. If you do not\, email membership@safsf.org to receive access.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJessy Beckett Parr\, CCOF Foundation\nA member of the Executive Team at CCOF\, Jessy Beckett Parr excels at bringing teams together to create positive change. At CCOF her team works to fund and advocate for a world where organic is the norm. The CCOF Foundation has re-granted over 10 Million dollars to farmers\, students\, and organizations. Jessy holds a Master of Science degree in Community Development from the University of California\, Davis\, a certificate in ecological horticulture from the University of California\, Santa Cruz\, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College. Prior to joining CCOF in 2013\, she spent five years producing a global documentary on agriculture\, Symphony of the Soil. \n\n\n\nOutside of the office\, she enjoys sharing time and food with her family and community on their peri-urban homestead. \n\n\n\n\nEmily Parker\, Butterfly Equity Foundation\nEmily Parker is the Executive Director of the Butterfly Equity Foundation. Ms. Parker is responsible for the overall administration of the Foundation\, including identifying and vetting potential grantee partners\, proposal evaluation\, fundraising\, and impact strategy and analysis. \n\n\n\nShe has over 10 years of non-profit experience\, with a focus on fundraising\, budget planning\, grantmaking\, and operations. Prior to joining the Foundation\, Ms. Parker was the Director of Development for Food Forward\, helping to scale its Southern California hunger relief and food recovery efforts through growing annual funds raised by over 400% during her tenure. Previously Ms. Parker worked in grants management and operations at Fundamental Inc.\, a Los Angeles-based philanthropic advising firm. \n\n\n\nMs. Parker serves as the Vice President of the board of directors of Safe Place for Youth and was formerly on the board of The Road Theatre. Emily is a Co-Founder of the LA Food Funders\, member of the LA County Food Equity Roundtable\, and serves on the Sustainable Ag and Food System Funders membership committee. Ms. Parker graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. \n\n\n\n\nIan Simoy\, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation\nIan Simoy is the proud grandson of Filipino immigrants whose legacy as farmers and educators continues to shape his commitment to the care of land and people. As Program Officer at The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation\, Ian stewards the Foundation’s health portfolio of grants in Hawai‘i focused on improving health care\, strengthening local food systems\, and supporting community leadership. Ian began his career as a high school history teacher and coach in Hawaiʻi before moving into nonprofit leadership\, where he led teacher recruitment and development at a large charter school network. At KIPP Foundation\, he worked to expand college and career pathways for youth across the country\, including developing programs and pilots that supported young people to serve as teachers and leaders in their home communities. Ian earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Vanderbilt and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard\, and lives in Mānoa Valley on the island of O ‘ahu with his Australian cattle dog\, Largo. \n\n\n\n\nOlivia Watkins\, Black Farmer Fund\nOlivia Watkins (she/her) serves as Co-Founder and President at Black Farmer Fund. Oliviais a social entrepreneur and impact investor. For the past seven years\, she has financed\,developed\, and operated environmental and social projects across the US. She also servesas a board member for Soul Fire Farm Institute. \n\n\n\nPrior to founding Black Farmer Fund in 2017\, Olivia worked in several production roles atSoul Fire Farm Institute and Kahumana Organic Farms\, leveraging her environmentalbiology background to manage and grow environmentally regenerative and sociallyimpactful business operations. \n\n\n\nOlivia has an MBA from North Carolina State University in Financial Management\, and a BAfrom Barnard College\, Columbia University in Environmental Biology. She was alsorecognized on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact list and The Grist 50.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-august/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250806T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250806T133000
DTSTAMP:20250820T161154Z
CREATED:20250707T205520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T161154Z
UID:10000697-1754481600-1754487000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Rising Heat\, Rising Risks: Protecting Farmworkers in a Changing Climate
DESCRIPTION:Heat stress for outdoor workers lies at the intersection of climate change\, labor rights\, agriculture\, and public health. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S.\, and farmworkers are especially vulnerable\, being 35 times more likely to die from heat-related exposure than other workers. As temperatures globally rise\, the number of unsafe working days for farmworkers due to heat is projected to double by the middle of the century. Without autonomy over their schedules or a federal OSHA standard regulating heat stress hazards in the workplace\, farmworkers are often forced to labor through extreme temperatures or smoke from wildfires.  \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, a panel of farmworker organizers\, health experts\, and policy advocates\, will discuss the impacts of extreme heat on farmworkers and how we can advocate for a more just food system.  \n\n\n\nBy the end of this webinar\, attendees will: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand how the climate crisis threatens farmworkers’ health and safety\n\n\n\nGain insight into the exploitative environments faced by farmworkers \n\n\n\nLearn about the farmworker-led movements for  improved protections and working conditions \n\n\n\nUnderstand the federal and state policy landscape\, including constraints and opportunities \n\n\n\nRecognize opportunities for action and advocacy\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar is open to all. We especially encourage you to attend if you are:  \n\n\n\n\nA climate funder interested in the intersections between the climate crisis and agriculture\n\n\n\nA policymaker focused on climate\, public health\, labor or food systems \n\n\n\nA member of the public wondering how you can support farmworkers facing exploitative work environments\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar will be held in English and Spanish with interpretation for those who need it. \n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDavin Cardenas\, Organizing Director\, North Bay Jobs with Justice\n\n\n\n\nAt North Bay Jobs with Justice\, Davin Cardenas is organizing farm workers in Sonoma County towards a Just Transition\, where workers challenge the most negative impacts within the wine industry\, while training themselves in traditional ecological knowledge to protect the mother earth\, and to have better jobs. Davin has lived in Sonoma County since 1999\, graduating from Sonoma State University with a BA in Liberal Studies\, and has been a community organizer for over 20 years\, organizing immigrant and faith based communities for social\, ecological\, and economic justice. He has been trained in popular education\, as well as Alinsky-ian organizing methodologies\, and believes that solutions abound when we listen to the land\, and listen to the workers. He also likes to run trails\, read\, and is a Golden State Warriors fan\, naming his cat Curry\, born the same year Steph Curry broke the NBA single season 3 point record for the first time (2013). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnastasia Christman\, Senior Policy Analyst\, National Employment Law Project\n\n\n\n\nAnastasia Christman joined National Employment Law Project (NELP) in June of 2011 as a policy analyst and has worked on issues of responsible outsourcing policies\, green jobs\, quality apprenticeship programs\, and efforts to support workers in the financial services industry.Before coming to NELP\, she helped to organize several thousand security officers in a city-wide campaign in Seattle and supported organizing and bargaining for tens of thousands of unionized janitors throughout the Western United States. She was the elected Vice President of SEIU Local 6\, in Seattle\, representing building service workers. Between 2000 and 2002 she conducted industry research for AFTRA\, especially focused on Spanish dubbing artists for daytime soap operas\, and for the Writer’s Guild looking at animation practices for shows like Spongebob Squarepants.Anastasia also spent several years investigating the private equity industry and leveraged buyouts and their effects on the front-line employees of purchased companies. The highlight of her pre-NELP career was wearing a wig and a purple spandex jumpsuit as part of an Abba-inspired band criticizing the political power of the private equity industry. Before that\, she taught women’s history\, the history of Los Angeles\, and urban history at UCLA\, Occidental College\, and Pepperdine University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJuanita Constible\, Senior Advocate\, Climate Adaptation\, Natural Resources Defense Council\n\n\n\n\nJuanita Constible is a senior advocate in NRDC’s Environmental Health program with more than 17 years of professional experience in communicating about the impacts of climate change.  She works with partners across the United States to advance solutions to the health and safety threats of extreme heat\, including workplace heat standards and forward-looking heat planning by federal and state agencies. Prior to joining NRDC\, Juanita oversaw the science and solutions department at the Climate Reality Project\, and later served as an adviser to the Climate Action Campaign. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Victoria in Canada. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nElizabeth Mizelle\, Assistant Professor\, Baccalaureate Education\, College of Nursing\, East Carolina University\n\n\n\n\nElizabeth (Liz) Mizelle\, PhD\, RN is a nurse educator and researcher who has led multiple community-based and field research projects focused on the health effects of climate change and occupational exposures in rural populations. Currently funded by the CDC/NIOSH\, her research evaluates a workplace intervention aimed at preventing dehydration and heat-related illness among farmworkers in North Carolina. Dr. Mizelle brings fourteen years of nursing experience in both rural and tertiary care hospitals\, along with a decade of service as nursing faculty. She is an AgriSafe Nurse Scholar\, a graduate of Yale’s Climate Change and Health Certificate Program\, and is currently completing the Total Worker Health® Certificate Program at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is an institute member of the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute and serves as co-chair of the Policy and Advocacy Workgroup for the Carolina Advocates for Climate\, Health\, and Equity. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYesica Ramirez\, General Coordinator\, Farmworker Association of Florida\n\n\n\n\nYesica Ramirez Garcia\, the General Coordinator of Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) and the first woman to hold this role in its 40+ year history\, brings a unique combination of firsthand experience as a farmworker and 12 years of service as a local organizer to her position. Her journey from farmworker to leader is a testament to her resilience and dedication.Born in Michoacan\, Mexico\, Yesica worked as a farmworker on land her family did not own before migrating to Apopka\, Florida\, where she worked in plant nurseries\, exposed to harmful chemicals without proper protection. After developing health issues and a complicated pregnancy due to pesticide exposure\, she left the nursery and discovered her passion for advocacy through participation in training and demonstrations at the Farmworker Association of Florida.Yesica’s commitment to health and safety protections for farmworkers has driven her work\, from volunteering to leading roles in the organization. As Apopka Area Organizer and now General Coordinator\, Yesica has organized workers and challenged the inhumane laws that have passed through local\, state\, and federal governments\, fighting for social justice and for immigrant and workers’ rights. She has done everything from large food distribution events and vaccination days during COVID\, hurricane disaster relief and response work in Central Florida\, organizing demonstrations against unjust evictions\, participating in community-based participatory research projects\, creating Facebook Live events to inform the community\, organizing Know Your Rights community meetings\, participating on the Board of Directors of the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Food Chain Workers Alliance\, supporting victims of domestic violence\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLeticia Zavala\, Co-Coordinator\, El Futuro Es Nuestro\n\n\n\n\nLeticia Zavala was born in Zacapu\, Michoacan in 1979. At the age of six\, her family migrated to the United States and immediately started following the migrant stream from Florida to Ohio\, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In her teenage years\, she became a member of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee\, FLOC\, as her family was working on a union farm. With the support of a migrant education foundation\, she obtained a scholarship that helped her pay her way to college\, and she graduated with a bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology from Florida Southern College. After college\, she got a call to return to the fields as an organizer and she joined the ranks of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) once again. Since then\, she has worked with immigrant communities in Mexico and North Carolina pushing to improve working and living conditions of agricultural workers. She is a member of Colectivo Binacional de Mujeres Migrantes\, and part of the immigrant advisory council for the city of Zacapu\, Michoacan. In 2017\, Leticia was elected to serve on the executive board of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee\, and she led FLOC’s organizing efforts in North Carolina for many years. In 2022\, she joined an effort of FLOC members to take back the union for rank-and-file workers\, and Leticia ran in the first contested election of the Farm labor Organizing Committee. Days after the election\, Leticia was fired. Thirty farm workers joined together to found El Futuro es Nuestro / It’s Our Future\, A farmworker led nonprofit that is leading the way to improve working and living conditions for farmworkers in North Carolina. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar is hosted by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and sponsored by Center for Disaster Philanthropy\, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture\, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees\, Grantmakers In Health\, Health and Environmental Funders Network\, Integrated Rural Strategies Group\, Neighborhood Funders Group\, and Philanthropy CA.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/rising-heat-rising-risks-protecting-farmworkers-in-a-changing-climate/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/climate-change.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T140000
DTSTAMP:20250710T203049Z
CREATED:20250414T182412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T203049Z
UID:10000680-1752757200-1752760800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round Monthly Membership Call
DESCRIPTION:The Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month.  \n\n\n\nHOW TO START A POOLED FUND 101with Growing Justice Fund  \n\n\n\nThe July Gather Round will feature new SAFSF member\, Growing Justice Fund. In 2024\, GROWING JUSTICE awarded over $5 million in grants to 36 organizations working to transform food systems in their Tribes\, regions and communities. GROWING JUSTICE: The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund co-designed by funders\, farmers\, advocates\, food suppliers\, purchasers and community partners from Native and non-Native communities across the country\, with a focus on equitable good food procurement. If you work in health equity\, racial justice\, economic equity\, and/or food justice\, join us!This is your judgement-free space to ask any questions on starting a pooled fund\, including: \n\n\n\n\nchallenges in the development process  \n\n\n\naligning on a common vision\, values\, and desired impact\n\n\n\nfund design and working with field leaders\n\n\n\ncommunity and stakeholder engagement + more! \n\n\n\n\nMEMBER SPEAKERRicardo T. Rocha Advisory Chair\, Growing Justice Fund \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRicardo T. Rocha Advisory Chair\, Growing Justice Fund\n\n\n\nRicardo T. Rocha is originally from Guanajuato\, Mexico\, and immigrated here with his family at the age of 4. Ricardo T. Rocha graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Watson Institute in Boulder\, Colorado. Ricardo is a well-recognized leader experienced in motivating and developing productive relationships within corporate environments as well as with members of the community\, professionals in the public and private sectors\, and elected officials at all levels of governance. Ricardo spends most of his time ideating\, building\, and scaling solutions to difficult societal or organizational problems.Ricardo is the Founder and CEO of Bondadosa\, a social impact\, technology based food logistics and transportation company designed to create a more kind\, just and sustainable food system. Ricardo loves to work with teams of system thinkers\, engineers\, and talented designers to bring impactful visions to life. Ricardo is invested in community efforts regarding food insecurity\, healthcare\, immigration\, the environment\, education\, and economic development. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are automatically enrolled in Gather Round meetings\, and will see the calendar invitations. If you do not\, email membership@safsf.org to receive access. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-july/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250626T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250626T140000
DTSTAMP:20250508T192747Z
CREATED:20250414T181922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T192747Z
UID:10000679-1750942800-1750946400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round Monthly Membership Call
DESCRIPTION:The Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month (4th Thursday for June!) at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month.  \n\n\n\nWe want to hear what’s top of mind for you\, what you are wrestling with\, and what topics you want to explore deeper. Each call will have a different topic. \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are automatically enrolled in Gather Round meetings\, and will see the calendar invitations. If you do not\, email membership@safsf.org to receive access. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-june/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250617T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250617T120000
DTSTAMP:20250603T205344Z
CREATED:20250603T205042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250603T205344Z
UID:10000694-1750158000-1750161600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:How Funders Can Address the Growing Famine in Sudan
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is hosted by The Center for Disaster Philanthropy and co-sponsored by Alliance Magazine\, Giving Compass\, PEAK Grantmaking\, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, and United Philanthropy Forum. \n\n\n\nOne in three people worldwide (2.83 billion people) cannot afford a healthy diet. Hunger affects everything in a person’s life: physical health\, mental health and cognitive development. \n\n\n\nHunger and famine are preventable. Global food production is high enough to feed everyone on the planet\, but hunger continues due to unequal distribution of food and conflict. At least 85% of people experiencing hunger live in conflict-affected countries. \n\n\n\nGoal 2 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is Zero Hunger\, which is defined as: “End hunger\, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” However\, the targets of this goal are not being achieved\, and in many cases\, the situation is getting worse. More people need nutritional support and suffer from food insecurity than ever before. \n\n\n\nFamines are the extreme outcome of persistent food deprivation. On Aug. 1\, 2024\, famine was declared in Sudan at Zamzam\, one of the camps for internally displaced people\, home to a million people. CDP’s Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Fund focuses on supporting mutual aid groups and emergency response rooms (ERRs) in the country\, which are working hard to address the hunger crisis. Now that USAID funding has been halted\, most ERRs have had to shut down their feeding programs\, including all 40 community kitchens in Zamzam camp. The crisis is growing. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a webinar to discuss the systemic causes of hunger and the differences between famine and hunger. We will also explore why hunger and famine are preventable disasters. \n\n\n\nBy the end of this webinar\, donors will: \n\n\n\n\nLearn more about the disproportionate impact on women and girls.\n\n\n\nExplore how funders can reduce famine and hunger.\n\n\n\nRecognize the repercussions of USAID budget cuts.\n\n\n\n\nWho should attend?\n\n\n\n\nAnyone interested in learning about hunger and famine\n\n\n\nPhilanthropic organizations\, individual donors and funders\n\n\n\nPhilanthropic advisors\n\n\n\nDisaster response and recovery professionals\n\n\n\nCommunity leaders and policymakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFederico Motka\, Head of Emergencies and Humanitarian\, Vitol Foundation\n\n\n\nFederico Motka currently serves as the Head of Emergencies and Humanitarian Portfolio at the Vitol Foundation\, a position held since September 2021. Previously\, Federico co-founded FieldWorks\, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting local non-profits\, and worked at Amanacard in operations and special projects focused on providing aid to crisis zones. Additional experience includes coordinating assessment programs for IMPACT Initiatives and managing emergency projects for Welthungerhilfe\, including responses to major crises in Afghanistan and natural disasters in Asia. Federico’s career also encompasses roles at ACTED and an internship with UNDP\, with a strong academic background in Development Economics and International Development from Johns Hopkins SAIS and Geography and Economics from LSE. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMusab Swareldhab Saty\, Humanitarian Response Coordinator\, Adeela\n\n\n\nMusab is a dedicated professional in project management and digital transformation with over 3 years of experience leading cultural and humanitarian projects. Currently\, he serves as a Humanitarian Response Coordinator at Adeela\, where he manages humanitarian aid projects\, coordinates with donors\, and represents the organization in national and international coordination councils. His passion lies in leveraging digital solutions to enhance project management and improve the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions. \n\n\n\nHis expertise also extends to overseeing workshops\, increasing project visibility\, and acting as a liaison between youth initiatives and Adeela. He is committed to making a positive impact on the communities he works with\, while consistently striving for sustainability and innovation in his projects. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPatty McIlreavy\, President and CEO\, Center for Disaster Philanthropy\n\n\n\nPatricia “Patty” McIlreavy (MAC-ill-ree-vee) is president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy\, the only full-time resource dedicated to helping donors maximize their impact through more intentional giving in response to domestic and international disasters. CDP’s expertise and tangible results for communities worldwide have helped it evolve into a trusted resource for philanthropy. With over 30 years of experience in international humanitarian policy and practice\, Patty brings a unique blend of operational and strategic expertise to disaster philanthropy. Throughout her career\, she has focused on improving the effectiveness and impact of the aid sector.   \n\n\n\nPrior to joining CDP in March 2020\, Patty served as vice president of the humanitarian team at InterAction. During that time\, she directed InterAction’s efforts to assist the humanitarian community\, including its NGO members\, United Nations (UN) agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement (RC/RC)\, to address the needs of marginalized populations. While at InterAction\, she represented the organizations’ membership and participated in numerous inter-agency and independent reviews of country-level coordination and impact\, traveling regularly to crisis-affected countries. Patty expanded NGOs’ position\, partnerships\, and influence in multilateral and bilateral forums and global events and led the development of the InterAction CEO Pledge on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse\, Exploitation\, and Harassment of and by NGO Staff.   \n\n\n\nPatty has more than 17 years of lived overseas experience\, primarily in Africa and the Middle East\, working in direct support of response and recovery operations. While based out of Jordan\, Patty worked as a consultant for a diverse group of organizations\, including humanitarian NGOs\, RC/RC\, the UN and NATO. Before this\, Patty worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in positions of increasing responsibility\, based out of Rwanda\, Sudan\, Tanzania\, Burundi and Kenya. As regional director for the Horn and East Africa\, she oversaw IRC’s relief\, rehabilitation and post-conflict development programming\, totaling more than $134 million\, across eight countries. Patty’s experience in the humanitarian field began in 1993 when she joined USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.  \n\n\n\nA frequent writer and sought-after speaker on humanitarian leadership\, equitable recovery and philanthropy in disasters and humanitarian crises\, Patty has given keynotes and spoken on podcasts\, with media and at events\, such as The Value In Giving\, Alliance Magazine\, the Sabanci Foundation Seminar\, Texas A&M PRIMR\, The Conference Board and Exponent Philanthropy’s annual conferences.  \n\n\n\nPatty holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from the American University School of International Service and was a 2014-2015 fellow of MIT’s Seminar XXI program. She has served on multiple inter-agency committees\, including the U.S. Department of State’s Stabilization Advisory Council\, the UN OCHA Change Management Advisory Group and the CSIS Task Force on Humanitarian Access. She is currently a member of the Global Executive Leadership Initiative Technical Advisory Committee\, the Forbes Non-Profit Council and a Leap Ambassador. Patty taught as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service from 2021 to 2024.  
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/how-funders-can-address-the-growing-famine-in-sudan/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CDP-Famine-Webinar.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250603T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250603T120000
DTSTAMP:20250521T201345Z
CREATED:20250515T155106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T201345Z
UID:10000692-1748948400-1748952000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Pre-Forum Member Orientation
DESCRIPTION:Are you joining us for the SAFSF Forum in June? Meet fellow member attendees at a pre-Forum orientation call for SAFSF members\, new and veteran! Whether this is your first Forum or your 10th\, join us to learn about new offerings at the 2025 Forum and how to best engage while in Santa Ana Pueblo\, New Mexico.  \n\n\n\nThis call is especially helpful if you are bringing new staff\, consultants\, Board or Advisory Committee members who are unfamiliar with SAFSF or the SAFSF Forum. \n\n\n\nJoin SAFSF staff for a deep dive into the 2025 Forum including: \n\n\n\n\nWhy New Mexico? \n\n\n\nWhat to Expect at the Forum \n\n\n\nForum Offerings and Mainstage Sessions\n\n\n\nMember Engagement with the Forum\n\n\n\nExclusive Member Events at the Forum\n\n\n\nHow to Engage in Whova  \n\n\n\n\nThis energizing conversation will excite you for the Forum ahead. Meet other members\, learn the Forum processes\, and get engaged! This event is a free\, SAFSF member only event. Interested in SAFSF membership? Email us. (membership@safsf.org) \n\n\n\n \n\n\nTo register for this program\, you must be logged in and a member of SAFSF. \nPlease log in or register for an account.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/pre-forum-member-orientation/
CATEGORIES:Forum Networking,In Person Gathering,Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Forum-Webpage.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250529T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250529T120000
DTSTAMP:20250530T190452Z
CREATED:20250515T212114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T190452Z
UID:10000693-1748516400-1748520000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Small Funders Learning Community Call: Responding in the Moment
DESCRIPTION:This is a space for SAFSF members who identify as small funders to explore collective insights and discuss how our unique strengths can drive meaningful change. Together\, let’s reflect on our journey\, lessons learned\, and explore our paths forward in this moment. \n\n\n\nDuring this call\, we will explore: \n\n\n\n\nHow have you responded to the federal administrative changes?\n\n\n\nWhat do you think is most needed now\, both for small funders and from small funders?\n\n\n\n\nWhether you have been part of this Learning Community for a while or are new to the conversation\, your perspective is valuable and very welcome. We’re looking forward to seeing you and discussing how this community can support small funders at this moment.  \n\n\n\nThis is a SAFSF member-only group. If you identify as a small funder within the SAFSF membership and are interested in joining\, please register below.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/small-funders-learning-community-call-responding-in-the-moment/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/315796b3-2f37-e31b-b026-37d8c833ffa5-1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250520T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250520T120000
DTSTAMP:20250312T170320Z
CREATED:20250131T172504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250312T170320Z
UID:10000659-1747738800-1747742400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Maximize Your Membership Q2
DESCRIPTION:Maximize Your Membership is an orientation webinar for SAFSF members\, new and veteran! If you are new staff at a new or long-time SAFSF member organization\, have not engaged in SAFSF programming or member benefits yet yourself\, want a refresher on all that is available to you as a SAFSF member organization\, or just want to connect\, join us! \n\n\n\nThis quarterly membership call features our newest SAFSF members  – help us welcome them into this community. Join Clare Fox\, Executive Director\, and Holly Hanes\, Senior Membership Associate\, for a deep dive into all things SAFSF\, including: \n\n\n\n\nCelebrating & sharing your membership internally and externally;\n\n\n\nMember Perks – including the annual Forum\, exclusive offerings\, and Learning Communities; \n\n\n\nHow to access your SAFSF benefits; \n\n\n\nSAFSF Professional and Leadership Development Pathways; \n\n\n\nTools and resources available to you; \n\n\n\nEvent Preview \n\n\n\n\nThis energizing conversation will excite you for the quarter ahead and expose you to one (or many!) benefits of membership that you were not utilizing to help in maximizing your SAFSF experience. Meet other members\, learn the SAFSF processes\, and get engaged! This event is a free\, SAFSF member only event. Interested in SAFSF membership? Email us. (membership@safsf.org) \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo register for this program\, you must be logged in and a member of SAFSF. \nPlease log in or register for an account.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/maximize-your-membership-q2/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/315796b3-2f37-e31b-b026-37d8c833ffa5-1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250515T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250515T140000
DTSTAMP:20250414T181101Z
CREATED:20250414T180953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T181101Z
UID:10000678-1747314000-1747317600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round Monthly Membership Call
DESCRIPTION:The Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month.  \n\n\n\nWe want to hear what’s top of mind for you\, what you are wrestling with\, and what topics you want to explore deeper. Each call will have a different topic. \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are automatically enrolled in Gather Round meetings\, and will see the calendar invitations. If you do not\, email membership@safsf.org to receive access. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-may/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250515T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250515T110000
DTSTAMP:20250605T201742Z
CREATED:20250506T225245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250605T201742Z
UID:10000690-1747303200-1747306800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Hunger in the US: How Disasters Disrupt Access to Food
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is hosted by The Center for Disaster Philanthropy and co-sponsored by Alliance Magazine\, Council on Foundations\, Giving Compass\, National Voluntary Organizations Active in a Disaster\, PEAK Grantmaking\, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, and The Funders Network. \n\n\n\nHunger\, or periods of severe food insecurity when people may go for days without eating because of lack of money\, access to food or other resources\, affects 14% of households and about 1 in 5 children in the U.S. \n\n\n\nAs food prices increase year after year while funding cuts continue to hit programs across the country\, working families struggle to afford food daily. When a natural hazard or severe weather occurs\, it exacerbates hunger by disrupting supply chains\, reducing access to food from stores or restaurants\, increasing pressures on support systems like food banks\, and causing power outages that may prevent people from making their own food. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a webinar to discuss the systemic causes of hunger and why it is a preventable disaster. \n\n\n\nBy the end of this webinar\, donors will: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand the systemic causes of hunger and how to address them.\n\n\n\nRecognize the repercussions of funding cuts.\n\n\n\nExplore how funders can reduce hunger in the U.S.\n\n\n\n\nWho should attend? \n\n\n\n\nAnyone interested in learning about hunger in the U.S.\n\n\n\nPhilanthropic organizations\, individual donors and funders\n\n\n\nPhilanthropic advisors\n\n\n\nDisaster response and recovery professionals\n\n\n\nCommunity leaders and policymakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSalaam Bhatti\, Esq.\, SNAP Director\, Food Research and Action Center\n\n\n\nSalaam Bhatti joined FRAC in November 2023 as the SNAP Director. In this role\, he works to strengthen SNAP access and benefit adequacy. Salaam works closely with the Interim President to develop\, lead\, and track annual work plans; set and meet unit goals; collaborate with other unit Directors to assist in achieving FRAC’s strategic plan goals; and expand the unit’s innovation and work. \n\n\n\nSalaam joins FRAC after working at the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC). While at VPLC\, he successfully lobbied to fully repeal the drug felon ban for SNAP and TANF\, twice achieved record increases to TANF cash benefits\, subsidized reduced-priced school meals\, repealed the TANF family cap\, ended lunch shaming policies in schools\, and received a unanimous vote to expand SNAP for over 20\,000 families. Salaam also helped develop a mobile-friendly\, SNAP screening tool which is used by tens of thousands of people & multiple non-profits and has been rolled out to be available for all states and D.C. He received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Albright College for his work in alleviating poverty and promoting Muslim-Jewish relations. Salaam also received the inaugural Stuart A. Freudberg Award for Regional Partnership for his work with Maryland and DC Hunger Solutions to address food insecurity across the metropolitan Washington area from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. \n\n\n\nSalaam has a J.D. from Touro Law School\, is barred in New York and Virginia\, and received his Bachelors in Political Science and International Relations from Albright College (with a year abroad in the University of Aberdeen). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVincent Davis\, Senior Director of Disaster Services\, Feeding America\n\n\n\nVincent B. Davis is the Founder of Preparedness Matters Consulting and serves as Director of Disaster Services for Feeding America. Prior to joining Feeding America in January 2020\, he served as workplace resiliency manager at Amazon\, where he developed disaster frameworks to support the company’s 175 corporate offices. Before joining Amazon\, Vince was senior preparedness manager for Sony PlayStation in San Diego\, and manager of preparedness and response at Walgreens Co.\, where he developed disaster programs for their 8\,600 U.S. stores and distribution facilities. Following a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Air Force and Illinois National Guard\, Vince served as external affairs and community relations officer at FEMA\, managing field teams for 11 Presidential disasters. After leaving FEMA Vince served as regional preparedness manager for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago\, where he led research and development of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Go To 2040 Report on Emergency Preparedness\, a 30-year planning effort to improve community disaster resilience.  \n\n\n\nVince was principal developer of the FEMA Regional Catastrophic Incident Coordination Plan for Illinois\, Indiana\, and Wisconsin\, a plan for mass care of a million residents of the Chicagoland region. Vince is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM). In 2019\, he completed the FEMA National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) for senior leaders. A passionate advocate for disaster literacy and underserved community preparedness\, Vince has authored three books\, Lost and Turned Out\, A Guide to Preparing Underserved Communities for Disasters (Amazon 2012)\, and The Native Family Disaster Preparedness Handbook (Heritage Publishing 2017)\, and the Emergency Guidebook for Broadcasters Serving Indian Country in collaboration with Native Public Media. Vince is a lifetime member of the Black Emergency Managers Association International (BEMA)\, an Advisory Board Member for the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM)\, Honorary Chair for the International Council for Women’s Leadership in Emergency Management and Business Continuity (ICWL)\, and Advisory Board member for the Homeland Security Center of Excellence\, Pierce College\, Washington. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKavita Koppa\, Co-Executive Director\, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)\n\n\n\nKavita (Kuh-vee-thuh) serves as the Co-Executive Director of RAFI-USA\, where she worked 2013 to 2016 and then returned in 2023 as Land Access Director. She brings more than a decade of experience in agriculture across nonprofit\, for-profit\, and cooperative sectors. She is especially passionate about making financing more accessible and equitable for farmers — particularly those historically excluded from traditional financial systems. \n\n\n\nIn addition to her work at RAFI-USA\, Kavita served as co-owner at Money Positive\, a worker-owned financial planning firm focused on helping those who are often excluded from the conventional financial industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in geography and biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a dual MBA/MA in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. Kavita can usually be found frolicking through the woods of North Carolina and getting overly-excited about plants. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTanya Gulliver-Garcia\, Director of Advisory and Education Services\, The Center for Disaster Philanthropy\n\n\n\nTanya Gulliver-Garcia (she/they) brings practical\, lived\, academic and philanthropic understandings of disasters to her work as the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s director of advisory and education services. In this role\, Tanya oversees the development of educational content and CDP’s educational webinar series. Tanya also directs CDP’s expert advisory services\, which help funders determine\, manage and improve their disaster-giving strategies. \n\n\n\nTanya is a self-described “disaster junkie” who is passionate about ensuring the most marginalized and oppressed in our communities can recover and build resilience. Their work is grounded in principles of equity and an understanding of how the intersections of race\, gender\, sexual orientation\, age\, disability\, class and other identities affect the lives of individuals and their families/communities. \n\n\n\nPrior to CDP\, Tanya worked as the associate director of programs and planning at Foundation for Louisiana (FFL). Her duties included helping FFL strengthen its capacity to manage various programmatic initiatives while building an effective evaluation practice. They led FFL’s Equitable Disaster Resilience Framework\, the associated Strategic Response Fund and the foundation’s LGBTQ+ Fund. \n\n\n\nTanya lived and worked most of her life in or around Toronto\, Canada. Their work there includes serving as the research coordinator for the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness/Homeless Hub (COH)\, which works to mobilize research results to have a greater impact on the elimination of homelessness in Canada. \n\n\n\nTanya regularly speaks and presents on issues related to disaster equity\, the numbers behind disaster giving\, and building relationships between funders and nongovernmental organizations. They have appeared in keynotes and conferences\, such as PEAK grantmaking\, Res/Con\, We Give Summit and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. \n\n\n\nTanya also worked as a freelance writer and editor for a couple of decades and served for eight years on the Professional Writers Association of Canada board\, including three terms as president. Tanya is a frequent writer for CDP’s blog and has authored analyses and commentaries in publications such as Giving Compass\, Nonprofit Quarterly and Reader’s Digest Canada. They are #TeamNoOxfordComma! \n\n\n\nTanya’s academic background is in sociology\, particularly disaster and environmental sociology. Their master’s degree developed a risk-based heat registry to protect low-income and marginally-housed communities from extreme heat. Tanya has responded to several major disasters across the United States and in her adopted state of Louisiana with American Red Cross. \n\n\n\nTanya lives and works remotely in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/hunger-in-the-us-how-disasters-disrupt-access-to-food/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250514T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250514T130000
DTSTAMP:20250417T213037Z
CREATED:20250417T213035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T213037Z
UID:10000687-1747224000-1747227600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice Alumni Circle
DESCRIPTION:The Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice (IFSCoP) is a learning and relationship-building cohort for funders interested in advancing support for Native-led food systems work. Developed by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, First Nations Development Institute\, and Melvin Consulting PLLC\, this program brings funders together to engage directly with Indigenous leaders\, deepen understanding of structural and philanthropic barriers in Indian Country\, and build more effective strategies for supporting Native food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture. The IFSCoP has been offered every other year since 2021.  \n\n\n\nAlumni of the Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice are invited to join a virtual gathering bringing together Cohorts 1 and 2! This is an opportunity to reconnect\, share experiences\, and hear updates on how IFSCoP alumni are engaging in Indigenous food systems work\, especially in today’s evolving funding landscape across Indian Country.  \n\n\n\nThis virtual gathering is open to past IFSCoP participants only. Stay tuned for more information about Cohort 3 launching in 2026!
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/indigenous-food-systems-community-of-practice-alumni-circle/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250507T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250507T131500
DTSTAMP:20250523T161613Z
CREATED:20250415T162033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T161613Z
UID:10000686-1746619200-1746623700@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Understanding the Impact of Federal Funding Cuts to LFPA and LFSCC on Schools\, Farmers\, and Communities
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is open to all funders. \n\n\n\nIn March 2025\, the Trump administration canceled more than $1 billion in federal spending through the Local Food Purchasing Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFSCC). These funds provided Tribal Nations and state agencies money to work in partnership with institutions like schools\, food banks\, and community organizations to purchase and distribute food from local farmers and ranchers.  \n\n\n\nThe cancellation of these local food procurement programs\, created under the Biden administration\, has caused drastic upstream and downstream impacts across the food supply chain. Farmers who scaled up their operations to meet the market opportunities created by these programs could lose their livelihoods. Students could lose access to fresh\, healthy\, and local menu options. Food hubs that have spent years building local and regional economic development opportunities could be forced to drastically scale back.  \n\n\n\nProtecting and maintaining the relationships and food systems innovations forged through the last several years of LFPA and LFSCC funding is essential. Join this session for a discussion on how impacted organizations and networks are navigating and responding to these cuts\, ongoing advocacy campaigns to restore them\, and what is needed from funders right now.  \n\n\n\nPlease note this session will not be recorded to protect the safety of speakers. Notes and key takeaways will be shared with registrants.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGary Besaw\, Director\, Menominee Tribal Department of Agriculture and Food Systems\, and Director\, Menominee Tribal Food Distribution Program\n\n\n\nGary\, of Keshena\, currently serves as the Director of the Menominee Tribal Department of Agriculture and Food Systems and Director of the Menominee Tribal Food Distribution Program. Gary is an enrolled Tribal member of the Menominee Nation and has served on the Menominee Tribal Legislature for 15 years\, twice holding positions as Tribal Chairman\, and once each as Vice Chairman and Secretary. Gary currently serves on the Shawano-Menominee Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee\, serving his second term. \n\n\n\nGary has served on multiple environmental and policy committees for the Menominee Nation including 15 years as the Menominee Nation’s representative on the Wisconsin Legislature’s State-Tribal Relations Study Committee. He previously worked in Native American education at the College of Menominee Nation as Vice President of Student Services. Gary holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Master of Science degree in education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTom McDougall\, Founder and CEO\, 4P Foods\n\n\n\nTom was born and raised in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. He grew to love the rolling country\, and learned to question the suburban sprawl that took over one cow pasture after another around his childhood home. After moving to DC to finish school\, he was introduced to business concepts that had been foreign to him: corporate social responsibility\, externalized costs\, triple-bottom line\, social entrepreneurship\, true cost accounting\, and others. His first job after college had him traveling back and forth to China where he saw first hand what externalized costs really looked like. He experienced the impacts that producing all of our “stuff” elsewhere had on people’s lives\, the environment\, and the social construct of a backyard\, far far away. It was a jarring\, eye-opening experience for him\, one that ultimately led him to launch 4P Foods in an effort to be part of the solution. \n\n\n\nWhile he and his wife were participating in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) of their own\, and after reading one too many Michael Pollan books\, Tom found himself on a life-changing path of working towards food systems change\, and more broadly\, business systems change. What\, really\, is the true purpose of business in our society? What should it be? He’d love to know your thoughts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKatie Nixon – Co-Director\, New Growth Food Systems\, and Co-Director\, Heartland Regional Food Business Center\n\n\n\nKatie is the co-director of New Growth Food Systems and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center\, which serves a five-state region. Plus\, she is the owner and operator of Green Gate Family Farm in Wheatland\, Missouri. With a deep commitment to supporting local farmers and strengthening regional food networks\, Katie brings extensive experience and passion to her work. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLiz O’Gilvie – Director\, Springfield Food Policy Council\, and lnterim Director\, Gardening the Community\n\n\n\nAfter returning to her hometown of Springfield\, MA\, with her husband and newly adopted son in 2009\, Elizabeth found her voice as a passionate and highly effective advocate for access to healthy food in the community – especially for children. \n\n\n\nWorking with the Springfield Food Policy Council\, Elizabeth helped lead the campaign to build the new $21 million Springfield Culinary and Nutrition Center\, which prepares healthy meals from scratch each day featuring locally grown food for district schoolchildren. She also led efforts to bring free breakfast into Springfield Public Schools classrooms as well as helping the district qualify for the federal free lunch program to counter pervasive poverty and hunger. \n\n\n\nElizabeth also is chair of the board for Gardening the Community\, a local nonprofit organization that teaches children to grow their own nutritious food. She championed efforts to purchase land in the community to build a greenhouse\, so volunteers can grow food year-round\, and the beautiful new Walnut Street Community Farm Store\, where people in the neighborhood can buy locally grown\, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSusan Lightfoot Schempf\, Director\, Food Systems Leadership Network\, Wallace Center at Winrock International\n\n\n\nSusan has dedicated her life’s work to building relationships of solidarity across communities\, nourishing leadership\, facilitating collaboration\, and realizing food sovereignty. She first dug her hands in the earth as a child at Our Father’s Garden – a faith-based community farm in her hometown of Baton Rouge\, Louisiana – and has been growing community through food ever since. She was the founding Executive Director of the Noyo Food Forest\, a community-based organization in rural northern California\, and launched the organization’s unique on-site farm to school and agricultural training program that is still in operation 20 years later. She then served as a regional Farm to Fork Manager for North Coast Opportunities\, where she spearheaded countywide farm to school initiatives\, supported the creation of the Mendocino County Food Policy Council\, co-created the Mendocino County Approved Source program\, and led the planning and design for the Mendo Lake Food Hub. After moving back home to Louisiana to attend graduate school at Tulane University Law School\, Susan joined the Wallace Center in 2016 and served as Co-Director of the national organization for five years before recently transitioning to a new role as the inaugural Executive Director of the Food Systems Leadership Network (FSLN). Outside of work\, Susan eagerly seeks out music\, food\, family\, and friends (preferably together)\, and is almost always plotting her next tropical surf adventure.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/understanding-the-impact-of-federal-funding-cuts-to-lfpa-and-lfscc-on-schools-farmers-and-communities/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250430T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250430T123000
DTSTAMP:20250807T191354Z
CREATED:20250409T211729Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250807T191354Z
UID:10000671-1746010800-1746016200@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Protecting Federal Farm Funding and Programs: Legal Action & Philanthropy's Role
DESCRIPTION:Cohosted by Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG)\, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture\, (FORA)\, Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN)\, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF). \n\n\n\nThe courts remain an essential avenue to thwart the Trump administration’s agenda to dismantle the federal government and slash federal spending. Almost three months into Trump’s second term\, there are over 135 legal challenges to the administration’s actions.  \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, lawyers at Earthjustice\, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)\, Democracy Forward\, Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG)\, and the Southern Environmental Law Center will discuss the landscape of litigation on behalf of farmers and nonprofits working in food and agriculture\, what’s at stake\, and philanthropy’s role in resourcing legal defense.  \n\n\n\nThis session is open to all members of funder networks or organizations\, please denote any funder networks your organizations belong to in your registration. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarrie Apfel\, Deputy Managing Attorney at Earthjustice \n\n\n\n\nCarrie Apfel is the deputy managing attorney of the Sustainable Food and Farming Program. She is based in Washington\, D.C. \n\n\n\nPrior to joining Earthjustice\, Carrie was a litigation partner at Jenner & Block. One of the more notable cases she worked on was a class action on behalf of Native American farmers and ranchers challenging discrimination in USDA’s farm loan program. The team won an enormous\, and unprecedented\, settlement for her clients. She also maintained a very active pro bono docket at Jenner. Prior to joining Jenner\, Carrie clerked on the Fourth Circuit\, and graduated from University of Virginia Law School and Duke University\, both with many honors. She also worked for several years at women’s advocacy organizations in DC. \n\n\n\nWhen she is not busy practicing law\, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family\, running long distances\, watching Duke basketball and Nationals baseball\, cooking and reading. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSophia Kruszewski\, Deputy Policy Director at National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition\n\n\n\n\nSophia (she/her) leads NSAC’s cross-team policy coordination and strategy efforts. She returned to NSAC after 4 years leading the Food and Agriculture Clinic at Vermont Law School\, where she directed a team providing law and policy services to farmers\, food entrepreneurs\, and food system organizations. During that time\, Sophia led the launch of the Vermont Legal Food Hub\, a program that connects farmers and local food businesses with free legal assistance. Sophia previously served as a Senior Policy Specialist at NSAC; her DC experience also includes the Center for Food Safety\, the White House Council on Environmental Quality\, and the federal district court. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan and a JD from Vermont Law School. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Egan\, Senior Program Coordinator for the Legal Food Hub at Conservation Law Foundation\n\n\n\n\nMary was most recently employed at Harvard Business School as a project coordinator. She has spent most of her public health career at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital as a database manager and community health worker. \n\n\n\nMary also brings great experience as a crops team member and food entrepreneur. She worked at Drumlin Farm and started her own dried fruit business\, aptly named Cut&Dried. She is ecstatic to find a position where she can support individuals who are taking on these challenges themselves. \n\n\n\nIn her free time Mary enjoys trail running\, rock climbing\, backpacking\, cooking\, and baking. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScott Carlson\, Executive Director and Attorney at Law at Farmers’ Legal Action Group\n\n\n\n\nScott W. Carlson is FLAG’s Executive Director. Raised on a family farm\, Scott has maintained life-long connections to agriculture and family farmers. With his personal background and extensive professional experience in state and federal farm policy and complex litigation\, Scott brings a deep commitment to protecting family farms and to achieving legal\, social\, and economic justice for family farmers and their communities. \n\n\n\nScott served as the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Policy and Communications Director under Commissioner Sarah Vogel. He was also U.S. Senator Kent Conrad’s Legislative Assistant for Agriculture\, which included staffing Sen. Conrad on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. Scott also served as Senior Professional Staff on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. As a U.S. Senate staff member\, Scott worked regularly with Congressional leadership\, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\, and the White House on agriculture and food legislation\, regulation and public policy. During his career in Washington\, D.C.\, farmers across the country faced numerous and repeated natural disasters. Scott worked to ensure that Congress and the Administration provided fair disaster funding and helped create responsible and responsive public policy to help keep family farmers on the land. Ultimately\, Scott served as one of the top U.S. Senate staff negotiators during the conference committee policy negotiations over the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000\, which overhauled the federal crop insurance program\, expanded it to include new crops and farmers\, and set the foundation for modern federal farm risk management programs. \n\n\n\nAn honors graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School\, Scott served as Managing Editor of the Minnesota Law Review. He then practiced law for more than twelve years before joining FLAG. He is rated by Super Lawyers\, and was named to the list of outstanding attorneys as a “Rising Star” in 2014. Scott served as trial counsel in In re High Pressure Laminates Antitrust Litigation\, a six-week federal trial in the Southern District of New York\, and in In re Polyester Staple Antitrust Litigation (W.D.N.C.)\, a federal antitrust case that settled with the last remaining defendant on the eve of trial\, ultimately recovering more than the single damages suffered by the class. Scott has extensive experience in complex litigation\, including In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation (D.D.C.) (claims alleging conspiracy among major domestic railroads to fix prices for rail freight surcharges); In re Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation (D. Md.) (price-fixing claims against manufacturers of titanium dioxide); In re Lawnmower Engines Horsepower Marketing & Sales Practices Litigation (E.D. Wis.) (alleging consumer fraud\, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment claims against manufacturers of lawn mowers and lawn mower engines); In re AOL Time Warner Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y.) (securities fraud claims against AOL and Time Warner on behalf of shareholders); In re Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Products Liability Litigation (D. Minn.) (product liability claims on behalf of patients with implanted defibrillators); In re Monosodium Glutamate Antitrust Litigation (D. Minn.) (price-fixing claims on behalf of business purchasers of MSG); In re Fiber Optic Cable Litigation (N.D. Ill.) (claims on behalf of property owners alleging that telecommunication companies installed facilities within rights of way without consent); and other complex litigation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMegan Uzzell\, Director of Impact and External Affairs at Democracy Forward\n\n\n\n\nMegan joined Democracy Forward after having served eight years at the U.S. Department of Labor\, where she most recently was the Associate Deputy Secretary for Policy. In this role Megan led Departmental efforts on regulatory\, policy and agency matters such as wage standards\, work and family policy\, enforcement\, immigration and worker safety. Prior to joining the Labor Department\, Megan served in the U.S. House of Representatives\, working as Legislative Director for a member from Southern California and handling energy\, environment\, appropriations and transportation matters. In 2005\, Megan was named one of the Hill’s top 35 staffers under 35. \n\n\n\nOriginally from Kansas City\, Kansas\, Megan has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics\, Political Science and International Affairs from Drake University\, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIrena Como\, Senior Attorney at Southern Environmental Law Center\n\n\n\n\nACLU of North Carolina\, deputy legal directorNew York City Legal Aid Society\, Juvenile Rights Practice\, staff attorneyJ.D.\, Notre Dame Law School\, London Law ProgrammeM.A.\, Central European University\, with honorsB.A.\, Earlham College\, with highest honors
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/fora-safsf-hefn-cefg-protecting-federal-farm-funding-and-programs-legal-action-philanthropys-role/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T120000
DTSTAMP:20250507T222220Z
CREATED:20250409T163731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250507T222220Z
UID:10000669-1745924400-1745928000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Policy Briefing: Threats to Food and Nutrition Programs in Budget Reconciliation
DESCRIPTION:This session is open to members of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and Grantmakers In Health only. Please register below. \n\n\n\nThe House and Senate continue to work on a budget reconciliation. On April 10\, the House narrowly passed the Senate’s version of a budget blueprint\, calling on Congressional committees to slash billions of dollars from programs within their jurisdictions including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)\, school meal supports like the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)\, and Medicaid in exchange for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. The House and Senate will determine the final tax and spending levels by agency and program in committee debates in coming months.In this session\, experts from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) will provide an up to the moment analysis of how federal budget reconciliation impacts food and nutrition programs\, the tie into Farm Bill negotiations\, and ultimately\, what these policy decisions mean for the health and well-being of children\, families\, and communities across the country. Experts will also highlight how advocates are organizing in support of these crucial programs\, FRAC’s advocacy resources\, and how funders can support this work. \n\n\n\nPlease note this session will not be recorded. Notes and key takeaways will be shared with registrants. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nColleen Barton\, Communications Director\, FRAC\n\n\n\nColleen joined FRAC in October 2014\, as communications director. In this role\, she spearheads the development and implementation of a multi-faceted strategic communications framework to help advance the organization’s mission to end hunger in America \n\n\n\nPrior to FRAC\, Colleen was the founder and principal of Red Jacket Communications\, LLC\, a boutique public relations and event firm. Colleen designed and executed strategic communications plans for global and national policy and program initiatives\, research reports\, brand development\, fundraising promotions\, product launches\, and major events. Her clients included government contractors\, small businesses\, and international and national nonprofits. In her previous work with nonprofits\, including Catholic Charities USA\, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and Save the Children\, Colleen created and implemented communications efforts that increased awareness\, advocacy and greater investment in programs and services aimed at underserved populations. At Save the Children\, she built a media program in a newly created public affairs department\, and led the U.S. agency’s media response to major humanitarian crises\, including post-9/11\, the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Haiti Earthquake as well as the agency’s first advocacy-awareness campaign\, Every Mother\, Every Child and its signature research report\, The State of the World’s Mothers. \n\n\n\nShe currently serves on the Board of Directors for Homestretch\, a nonprofit in Northern Virginia that helps transition families out of homelessness. \n\n\n\nColleen received her B.A. in English\, with a public relations concentration\, from the State University of New York at Fredonia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSalaam Bhatti\, SNAP Director\, FRAC\n\n\n\nSalaam joined FRAC in November 2023 as the SNAP Director. In this role\, he works to strengthen SNAP access and benefit adequacy. Salaam works closely with the Interim President to develop\, lead\, and track annual work plans; set and meet unit goals; collaborate with other unit Directors to assist in achieving FRAC’s strategic plan goals; and expand the unit’s innovation and work. \n\n\n\nSalaam joins FRAC after working at the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC). While at VPLC\, he successfully lobbied to fully repeal the drug felon ban for SNAP and TANF\, twice achieved record increases to TANF cash benefits\, subsidized reduced-priced school meals\, repealed the TANF family cap\, ended lunch shaming policies in schools\, and received a unanimous vote to expand SNAP for over 20\,000 families. Salaam also helped develop a mobile-friendly\, SNAP screening tool which is used by tens of thousands of people & multiple non-profits and has been rolled out to be available for all states and D.C. He received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Albright College for his work in alleviating poverty and promoting Muslim-Jewish relations. Salaam also received the inaugural Stuart A. Freudberg Award for Regional Partnership for his work with Maryland and DC Hunger Solutions to address food insecurity across the metropolitan Washington area from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. \n\n\n\nSalaam has a J.D. from Touro Law School\, is barred in New York and Virginia\, and received his Bachelors in Political Science and International Relations from Albright College (with a year abroad in the University of Aberdeen). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCrystal FitzSimons\, Interim President\, FRAC\n\n\n\nCrystal FitzSimons is the Interim President for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)\, leading the organization to achieve its vision: A nation in which all people have the nutritious food they need to lead healthy and productive lives; and mission: To improve the nutrition\, health\, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy\, partnerships\, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions.  \n\n\n\nPrior to taking on the Interim President role\, Crystal oversaw FRAC’s work to improve and strengthen the school\, summer\, and afterschool nutrition programs. She analyzed policy to advocate for legislative and regulatory improvements to increase children’s access to the child nutrition programs. She helped develop strategy and direct national partnerships and field efforts to achieve program improvements through legislative and administrative changes. Recent successful efforts include the Pandemic and Summer EBT Programs; the child nutrition waivers during the pandemic that allowed schools to offer school meals to all their students at no charge\, the nationwide expansion of the Afterschool Meal Program; and the Community Eligibility Provision.  \n\n\n\nShe led FRAC’s efforts to provide technical assistance on the school\, summer\, and afterschool nutrition programs to national\, state\, and local partners. Crystal also has helped develop successful partnerships to support increased access to the child nutrition programs including the National Healthy School Meals for All Coalition; Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom\, a project with the National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation\, the National Education Association Healthy Futures\, and the School Nutrition Foundation; and CHAMPS (Cities Combating Hunger through the Afterschool Meal Program and Summer) with the National League of Cities.   \n\n\n\nCrystal is a sought-out policy expert for briefings\, webinars\, conferences\, and state legislative hearings. She also is regularly quoted in the media\, such as The New York Times\, NPR\, PBS NewsHour\, Politico\, the Washington Post\, USA Today\, and local media.  \n\n\n\nCrystal is the author or co-author of numerous reports. Recent publications include: The Reach of School Breakfast and Lunch During the 2022-2023 School Year; The Case for Healthy School Meals for All; Community Eligibility: the Key to Hunger-Free Schools\, School Year 2022-2023; Large School District Report Operating School Nutrition Programs as the Nation Recovers From the Pandemic; and Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report.   \n\n\n\nHer previous work experience includes the Center for Community Change and Housing Comes First. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from Carroll College in Wisconsin and an MSW from Washington University in Missouri. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/policy-briefing-threats-to-food-and-nutrition-programs-in-budget-reconciliation/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250428T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250428T110000
DTSTAMP:20250502T151226Z
CREATED:20250411T160920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T151226Z
UID:10000672-1745834400-1745838000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Fighting Exclusion and Expulsion: Protecting the Freedom to Move and to Stay
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. Co-sponsored by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, SoCal Grantmakers\, and Women’s Funding Network. \n\n\n\nThe U.S. government has a long history of excluding people from entering the United States\, including individuals from China in the 19th century\, most of Asia and southern and eastern Europe in the 20th century\, and Muslim-majority and African nations in the 21st century. There is also a history of expelling people from the United States\, including nearly 2 million people of Mexican descent in the 1930s and at least 1 million people of Mexican descent in the 1950s – including U.S. citizens.   \n\n\n\nThe administration’s current attempt to exclude and expel people through sweeping executive overreach in defiance of the rule of law is separating families and striking fear in communities\, and is part of a broader attempt to criminalize and invisibilize historically marginalized populations\, starting with noncitizens. Join GCIR to learn how advocates are addressing the closure of the border and the resulting denial of access to safety while others are defending people who have made the United States their home. \n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\nLillian Aponte\, Executive Director\, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project\n\n\n\nErika Pinheiro\, Executive Director\, Al Otro Lado \n\n\n\nFatima Saidi\, Director\, We Are All America \n\n\n\n\nModerators\n\n\n\n\nBasma Alawee\, Deputy Executive Director\, Community Sponsorship Hub\n\n\n\nZenobia Lai\, Executive Director\, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative  
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/fighting-exclusion-and-expulsion-protecting-the-freedom-to-move-and-to-stay/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T113000
DTSTAMP:20250325T233952Z
CREATED:20250320T170059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T233952Z
UID:10000667-1743674400-1743679800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Navigating the Current Political Landscape: A Cross-Sector Town Hall for Private Funders and Partners Across CEFG\, FORA\, HEFN\, SAFSF
DESCRIPTION:In today’s rapidly evolving political landscape and the administration’s intentional “flood the zone” strategy\, private funders and partners face unprecedented challenges in distinguishing between noise and real threats. Navigating these complexities requires not only strategic foresight but also enhanced collaboration across food\, agriculture\, climate\, energy\, health\, and environmental justice networks.  \n\n\n\nThis Town Hall webinar brings together leaders from Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG)\, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA)\, Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN)\, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) to provide a candid\, solutions-oriented discussion designed to: \n\n\n\n1) Demystify the Current Landscape: Separate noise from real threats and understand their implications on communities and funding priorities.  \n\n\n\n2) Strengthen Collaboration: Explore opportunities to better support one another\, amplify key issues\, and create more unified impact where we can.  \n\n\n\n3) Balance Defense and Long-Term Strategy: Develop a balanced approach that integrates defensive strategies with long-term planning and movement building.  \n\n\n\n4) Align and Amplify Impact: Identify existing efforts and future avenues to align funding efforts and maximize collective impact.  \n\n\n\n5) Resource Sharing and Coordination: Learn about shared resources\, tools\, and funds being organized to support ongoing collaboration. \n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\nSavi Horne\, Executive Director\, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project \n\n\n\nJillian Blanchard\, Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice\, Lawyers for Good Government\,\n\n\n\nMichelle Roos\, Executive Director\, Environmental Protection Network \n\n\n\nDarryl Molina Sarmiento\, Climate Justice Alliance Board Member\, Executive Director of Communities for a Better Environment\n\n\n\nTBD\, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition\n\n\n\nTBD\, Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis session is open to all members of funder networks or organizations. Please denote any funder networks your organization belongs to in your registration. Members of the Blue Sky Funders Forum\, Chesapeake Bay Funders Network\, Environmental Grantmakers Association\, Neighborhood Funders Group\, the Fund for Lake Michigan\, and The Funders Network are most welcome. \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here!
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/navigating-the-current-political-landscape-a-cross-sector-town-hall-for-private-funders-and-partners-across-fora-hefn-safsf-cefg/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/istockphoto-1355538147-612x612-1-e1688069093618.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250328T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250328T113000
DTSTAMP:20250320T191249Z
CREATED:20250320T191247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250320T191249Z
UID:10000668-1743156000-1743161400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Two Months Into the New Administration: How Food & Ag Movement Leaders Are Responding and How Philanthropy Can Support
DESCRIPTION:In December 2024\, we hosted a webinar with an expert panel to understand potential concerns regarding the incoming Administration. Unfortunately\, many of those concerns have come to fruition. Now\, because of the USDA’s freeze and termination of hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts to farmers and farm organizations\, many nonprofits are in fiscal crisis.  \n\n\n\nPlease join us on Friday\, March 28th\, for an update from the same expert panel to hear about how the crisis is evolving\, what actions nonprofit and philanthropic leaders are taking\, and what critical needs are not being met. We’ll talk about efforts to create active solutions to the crisis through narrative development\, advocacy\, legal guidance\, and networks of support. \n\n\n\nPanelists:\n\n\n\n\nSarah Hackney\, Coalition Director\, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)\n\n\n\nNavina Khanna\, Executive Director\, HEAL Food Alliance\n\n\n\nEdna Rodriguez\, Executive Director\, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)\n\n\n\nJoe Shultz\, Executive Director of the Platform for Agriculture & Climate Transformation (PACT)\n\n\n\n\nThe webinar will also include a brief update on the flow of USDA funds from a former senior USDA official.  \n\n\n\nTo allow for open conversation\, this webinar will not be recorded. Please join us live!  \n\n\n\nThis webinar is sponsored by the Grassroots Farm Bill Project Team (Regenerative Agriculture Foundation\, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition\, RAFI\, and Waverley Street Foundation) in partnership with the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders and Funders for Regenerative Agriculture. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Here!
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/two-months-into-the-new-administration-how-food-ag-movement-leaders-are-responding-and-how-philanthropy-can-support/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Supreme-Court-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250314T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250314T110000
DTSTAMP:20250213T194340Z
CREATED:20250213T174811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250213T194340Z
UID:10000662-1741942800-1741950000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Seeding Power: Food Justice Leadership & Movement Building
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Community Food FundersCo-sponsored by Philanthropy New York and SAFSF \n\n\n\nLocation: North Star Fund\, 520 8th Ave\, Rm 1800\, NYC(streaming on Zoom also available) \n\n\n\nCommunity Food Funders is gearing up to launch the next cohort of our Seeding Power Fellowship! Following a comprehensive redesign and successful pilot of the new program last year\, they are building on lessons learned to make this next experience even better and more tailored to the needs of our movement leaders. \n\n\n\nPlease join for a funder-only luncheon (also available online) to hear from recent alumni and program staff about the impacts of this unique program\, and what they have planned for the next cohort. They have designed a fellowship experience where funders and nonprofit leaders come together to learn\, build relationships\, and envision the collaborations needed to create a more equitable food system for all. \n\n\n\nThis is a funder-only event. \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nApplications for the new cohort go live the day after this event takes place. \n\n\n\nAs food and climate leaders prepare for attacks on their work and all justice work\, now more than ever movements and organizations need spaces that allow leaders to show up as their whole selves. They need reservoirs of resilience to tap into and spaces where joy and connection are at the root of rebuilding systems rooted in justice and liberation. \n\n\n\nA powerful leader is one with the skills and the community to cultivate an ever renewing sense of purpose\, with the support and care that builds true stamina that social change demands. \n\n\n\nSeeding Power\, and other fellowship programs like the Castanea Fellowship\, are designed to build the muscle of reflection\, to reduce isolation\, to practice communication and collaboration\, and to deepen relationships. As such\, they provide not just leadership development\, but critical movement infrastructure that centers relationship and resilience. They hold the space of care\, rest\, joy\, and camaraderie that is so desperately needed. \n\n\n\nLearn about: \n\n\n\n\nOutcomes and lessons from the last cohort\n\n\n\nCurriculum and design elements of the fellowship program\n\n\n\nA one-of-a-kind approach bringing philanthropic partners together with movement leaders in the same cohort\n\n\n\nA timeline and deadlines to help spread the word to your grantees\n\n\n\n\nThe Seeding Power Fellowship is a nine-month cohort-based food justice fellowship program for experienced leaders working across sectors to build equitable food systems. The program is designed for movement leaders and philanthropic partners in New York\, New Jersey\, and Connecticut. \n\n\n\nSeeding Power is unique in both the region it serves and the focus on effective collaborations and equitable relationships\, while including fellows from philanthropy and government. Racial equity\, social justice\, active communication\, and collaboration form the core of a tested yet tailored curriculum designed by Emerging Equity. \n\n\n\nBy creating a community of practice that develops a shared analysis of the issues plaguing our food system\, the Seeding Power cohort will graduate with strengthened cross-sector relationships and skills\, and the opportunity to develop projects together. \n\n\n\nEach fellow will receive at least three hours of individualized coaching. Movement fellows will receive a $5\,000 stipend\, and philanthropic fellows will be asked to make a financial contribution.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/seeding-power-food-justice-leadership-movement-building/
CATEGORIES:In Person Gathering,Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250312T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250312T123000
DTSTAMP:20250326T223743Z
CREATED:20250221T184411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T223743Z
UID:10000665-1741777200-1741782600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Food Labor Justice: Protecting Rights and Building Worker Power
DESCRIPTION:Co-sponsored by Funders for Regenerative Agriculture\, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees\, and Health and Environmental Funders Network. \n\n\n\nAs the Trump administration escalates attacks on immigrant communities and weaponizes immigration enforcement at workplaces\, frontline food system workers across the country face increasing threats to their safety\, livelihoods\, and labor rights. A new report from Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA) further underscores the necessity of building worker power across the food chain and demanding justice for the nearly 28 million food workers who are exploited by the current system.  \n\n\n\nJoin us for a discussion with FCWA to hear frontline perspectives on responding to mass deportation threats while sustaining long-term organizing for justice and labor protections. FCWA members will discuss their rapid response work – from know-your-rights trainings to mutual aid – alongside long-term and successful campaigns for systemic change.  \n\n\n\nThis session will provide funders with: \n\n\n\n\nConcrete ways to support both immediate protection and long-term systemic change\n\n\n\nAn understanding of critical resource gaps and funding needs\n\n\n\nOpportunities to stay connected and updated\n\n\n\n\n**Please note this webinar will be held in English and Spanish with interpretation for those who need it. This call will not be recorded. High-level notes and follow-up resources will be shared with all registrants afterward. \n\n\n\nOrganizations Represented\n\n\n\nAlianza Agrícola – The Agricultural Alliance is one of the few organized\, worker-founded and worker-led groups of undocumented immigrant farmworkers in New York State. We are membership-based\, and all members are directly affected undocumented immigrants\, mostly from Mexico\, living and working in isolation and poverty on dairy farms in 5 counties of Western New York. \n\n\n\nMigrant Justice – Our mission is to build the voice\, capacity\, and power of the immigrant farmworker community to organize for economic justice and human rights. We bring together community members to analyze shared problems and envision collective solutions. Through an ongoing investment in leadership development\, Migrant Justice members deepen their skills and knowledge to organize for long-term\, systemic change. \n\n\n\nCommunity to Community Development – We believe that another world is possible and we are active participants with other self-determined people’s movements. We strive to reclaim our humanity by redefining power in order to end structural racism and all of its manifestations including settler colonialism\, capitalism\, and patriarchy in their external and internalized forms. Towards this end we: Confront racism in existing power structures\, Empower under-represented peoples to have an equal voice in decision making processes\, Develop cross-cultural awareness with formación\, Restore justice to our food\, land and cultural practices\, Promote community relationships towards self-reliance\, Work in solidarity with those that strive towards human rights for all races and genders\, and Demand and demonstrate that the value of feminine intellect and leadership is recognized.  \n\n\n\nStreet Vendor Project – The Street Vendor Project (SVP) is a membership-based organization of over 2\,900 members who champion the rights of street vendors as small businesses to earn a living and contribute to the culture and life of New York City. We strive to expand vending as a viable\, lawful employment option for immigrants and other entrepreneurs. We celebrate the long tradition of street vending in NYC and the diversity of cultures and backgrounds from which vendors come\, noting that an estimated 95% of street vendors are immigrants who operate at the margins of the formal economy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/food-labor-justice-protecting-rights-and-building-worker-power/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250226T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250226T133000
DTSTAMP:20250226T222144Z
CREATED:20250218T223636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T222144Z
UID:10000664-1740573000-1740576600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Member Strategy Call – Funder Response to Federal Impacts: Ways to Support Funded Partners
DESCRIPTION:Nonprofits and community organizations in food and agriculture are navigating uncertainty\, increased demands for their services\, fear of heightened scrutiny\, and lost or delayed funding due to recent Trump administration policy priorities and federal funding freezes.  \n\n\n\nSAFSF is hosting a strategy call to explore how funders are responding to these situations and what they are hearing from funded partners. This is a confidential\, judgement-free space for SAFSF members to strategize with peers\, coordinate efforts\, and exchange ideas for how to lead. For those attending the preceding webinar “Responding to the Federal Funding Crisis: What Farmers and Connected Nonprofits are Experiencing and What Funders Can Do\,” this call continues the discussion\, broadening the conversation beyond farmers and farmer-supporting organizations.  \n\n\n\nTopics to be covered: \n\n\n\n\nIdeas for adapting funding to address grantee gaps\n\n\n\nWays to support funded partners beyond funding\n\n\n\nExamples of funder responses and pivots\n\n\n\nCoordinating pooled emergency funding \n\n\n\n\nThis event is open to all SAFSF member organizations including their staff\, board\, or authorized designees. Not a member yet? Email us at membership@safsf.org to get started.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/member-strategy-call-funder-response-to-federal-impacts-ways-to-support-funded-partners/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250220T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250220T120000
DTSTAMP:20250221T183324Z
CREATED:20250103T031106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T183324Z
UID:10000656-1740049200-1740052800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Maximize Your Membership Q1
DESCRIPTION:Coming to you in a new format\, Maximize Your Membership is an orientation for SAFSF members. If you are a new member\, new staff at a long-time SAFSF member organization\, or simply looking for a refresher on SAFSF programming or member benefits\, join us to learn how to make the most of your membership!  \n\n\n\nClare Fox\, Executive Director\, and Holly Enowski\, Senior Membership Associate\, will offer a deep dive into all things SAFSF membership\, including: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstanding & sharing your membership within your organization\n\n\n\nMember Benefits – including the Annual Forum\, data insights\, exclusive offerings\, and more\n\n\n\nHow to get the most of the Member Only Portal and Listserv\n\n\n\nSAFSF Professional and Leadership Development Pathways\n\n\n\nSneak Peek at what’s coming up in 2025 \n\n\n\n\nGet excited for the year ahead and get the most out of this incredible community. Meet other members\, learn about SAFSF\, and get engaged!  \n\n\n\nThis event is open to all SAFSF member organizations including their staff\, board\, or authorized designees.  \n\n\n\nNot a member yet? Email us at membership@safsf.org to get started.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/q1-maximize-your-membership/
CATEGORIES:Member Only,Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250219T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250219T134500
DTSTAMP:20250226T022249Z
CREATED:20250213T204431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T022249Z
UID:10000663-1739968200-1739972700@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Responding to the Federal Funding Crisis: What Farmers and Connected Nonprofits are Experiencing and What Funders Can Do
DESCRIPTION:This conversation is co-sponsored by Funders for Regenerative Agriculture. \n\n\n\nJoin SAFSF for a critical conversation about the immediate and long-term impacts of the federal funding freeze on farmers and connected nonprofits. An expert panel of farming advocates and policy specialists will break down: \n\n\n\n\nWhat federal programs are being impacted by the funding freeze \n\n\n\nImmediate financial implications for farming operations and nonprofit staffing and infrastructure  \n\n\n\nAlternative funding sources and rapid response financial strategies that funders can support now and in the future \n\n\n\nOngoing advocacy efforts at the federal level  \n\n\n\n\nWe also encourage you to review the following resources developed by Dãnia Davy\, Founder\, Land & Liberation \n\n\n\n\nWhat you need to know & do to defend your federal funding\n\n\n\n2025 Federal Funding Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaitlin Arnold Stephano\, Hotline Program Manager\, Farm AidCaitlin joined Farm Aid in the fall of 2021 as the Hotline Program Manager. Caitlin grew up riding the tractor at her Grandfather’s cherry and apple farm in Eastern Washington state\, and has been working in agriculture\, farmer organizing\, and advocacy since 2006. Caitlin holds a Masters in Sustainable Food Systems with a focus on farmer mental health. She currently lives in Southern Maine with her family\, and loves exploring the coastal nooks and crannies\, walking in the woods\, and growing her garden. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDãnia Davy\, Founder\, Land & Liberation\, LLCDãnia is the founder of Land & Liberation\, LLC\, a consultancy promoting liberatory relationships between humans\, natural and financial resources\, and land. She teaches “Examining Food System Equity through Critical Race Theory” at Vermont Law School\, served as Senior Policy Advisor for the US Southeast Region at Oxfam\, Director of Land Retention and Advocacy at the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund\, and started her legal career as a Skadden Fellow at the Land Loss Prevention Project. Dãnia earned her J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law and her A.B. in Africana Studies & Community Health at Brown University. Dãnia currently serves on the boards of Agrarian Trust\, Farmers Legal Action Group\, and A Place Matters\, Inc. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSeanicaa Edwards Herron\, Founder & Executive Director\, Freedmen Heirs FoundationSeanicaa is a respected agricultural economist and market analyst with an impressive 20-year career trajectory across academia\, the private sector\, government and nonprofit roles. At the helm of the Freedmen Heirs Foundation Inc.\, which she co-founded\, Seanicaa is actively forging paths to dismantle systemic barriers faced by Black farmers in U.S. agriculture. This vital nonprofit organization focuses on bridging the widening gap between Black farmers and the marketplace\, aiming to eradicate agricultural inequities by facilitating access to technical assistance\, capital resources\, and new market opportunities. Seanicaa earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State University\, further solidifying her profound commitment to advancing the field of agriculture.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaisah Khan\, SHOT Fund Partnerships Manager\, Regenerative Agriculture FoundationAs the Fund Partnerships Manager\, Maisah is looking forward to helping rural nonprofits and historically underserved farmers identify\, pursue\, and manage public funding opportunities that align with their mission and work. \n\n\n\nMaisah comes to RAF with over a decade of experience in grassroots nonprofit work and federal policy advocacy. She was the Policy Director for the Mississippi River Network and before that the Water Policy Director for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. Prior to that\, she served as an appointee in the Obama Administration for the U.S. Department of Energy\, focusing on international climate change policy and clean energy deployment. Maisah holds a Masters of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Environment. Her family ties to Bangladesh keep her grounded in our shared movement for climate change solutions. \n\n\n\nThe Soil Health Opportunities and Tools (SHOT) Fund is an initiative between Rural Climate Partnership and Regenerative Agriculture Foundation designed to connect farmers and the nonprofits that serve them with existing public funding opportunities such as the $18 billion available under the Inflation Reduction Act. The Fund focuses on enhancing capacity support\, providing innovative financing\, offering technical assistance\, and promoting market reform to support regenerative and climate-smart agriculture all while ensuring equitable access to public funding.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/responding-to-the-federal-funding-crisis-what-farmers-and-connected-nonprofits-are-experiencing-and-what-funders-can-do/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250129T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250129T123000
DTSTAMP:20250117T165850Z
CREATED:20250115T183603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T165850Z
UID:10000657-1738148400-1738153800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Funder Briefing on New Research about Americans’ Perception of the Food System and CAFOs
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a briefing about new research\, including national surveys and hours of qualitative interviews exploring American attitudes on the state of the food system\, particularly their perceptions of the industrial meat and dairy industry.  \n\n\n\nIn early 2024\, several organizations working to improve the food system engaged the Topos Partnership to better understand people’s thoughts and feelings about how food is currently produced. The research focused on messages that could inspire doubt about Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations that produce most of the meat\, dairy\, and eggs in the United States.  \n\n\n\nThis briefing is designed for funders and investors who want to learn more about current attitudes and potential pathways for food system change.  \n\n\n\nHosted by Good Chaos\, presented by Topos Partnership\, and Facilitated by Local Root Strategies and Mazur & Co. \n\n\n\nCo-Sponsored by SAFSF\, Global Alliance for the Future of Food\, and Farmed Animal Funders. \n\n\n\nFor more information\, contact Jake Davis at jake@localrootstrategies.com \n\n\n\n\nRegister
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/funder-briefing-on-new-research-about-americans-perception-of-the-food-system-and-cafos/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250115T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250115T114500
DTSTAMP:20250131T194550Z
CREATED:20240722T224527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250131T194550Z
UID:10000631-1736938800-1736941500@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Funding Policy Advocacy in 2025: Reflections\, Takeaways\, and Next Steps—Bolder Advocacy Series
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a webinar series exploring how funders can effectively support a wide array of advocacy strategies within a food and agriculture context. Organized in partnership with Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy Program\, these 4-sessions will provide funders with practical information and skill building opportunities in supporting election season advocacy and policymaker engagement\, and how to structure policy related grants.  \n\n\n\nWe encourage attendance at all four webinars to maximize learning\, though recordings will be made available for those unable to attend live. SAFSF will host a concluding reflection session to synthesize insights\, discuss integrating learnings into 2025 funding strategies\, and address ongoing challenges. \n\n\n\nThis webinar series is available as a benefit for SAFSF members. Not a member? Join our community by contacting our Senior Membership Associate\, Holly Enowski at holly@safsf.org to receive an application or for an information call.  \n\n\n\n\n\nGoals\nThis virtual programming series will enable SAFSF members to:  \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations and investors to achieve their missions; \n\n\n\nBuild support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement; \n\n\n\nUnderstand characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy; \n\n\n\nUnderstand how to comply with lobbying restrictions and build relationships with policymakers; \n\n\n\nBuild relationships and learn from peers engaged in policy advocacy funding.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOutcomes\nAfter attending this virtual programming series\, SAFSF members should feel confident in:  \n\n\n\n\nRecognizing the broad scope of activities and strategies that can be considered policy advocacy;\n\n\n\nInitiating or continuing conversations with foundation board members about prioritizing policy advocacy; and \n\n\n\nHow to support grantees engaged in policy advocacy.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPart 4\n\n\n\nSAFSF members are invited to join an informal discussion to connect with peers engaged in funding policy advocacy. Funders will have the opportunity to ask Bolder Advocacy senior counsel follow-up questions about content covered in this series including funding election-related advocacy\, engaging with policymakers\, and strategies to structure policy-related grants. With the 119th Congress fresh underway and the inauguration of a new administration just days away\, funders will also have the chance to reflect on opportunities to incorporate learnings into 2025 funding strategies. Discussion questions will include: \n\n\n\n\nHow are you supporting coalitions and frontline communities in engaging in advocacy in 2025 and beyond? \n\n\n\nHow is your organization monitoring potential politically motivated threats to your grantees and how are you prepared to respond? \n\n\n\nHow is your organization planning to engage with policymakers\, including career staff at federal agencies\, this year? \n\n\n\nHow is your organization thinking about administrative advocacy this year? \n\n\n\nWhat’s a new strategy or tactic you’re planning to explore in 2025?\n\n\n\nWhat additional content or programming related to funding policy work would be helpful for SAFSF to organize?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLogin to access recordings & resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah Efthymiou serves as Senior Counsel for the Bolder Advocacy Program at Alliance for Justice. In her role\, she provides technical assistance\, resources\, and training to help nonprofit advocates understand their rights and abilities to advocate\, lobby\, engage in election related activities\, and fund advocacy. \n\n\n\nPrior to joining Alliance for Justice in 2023\, Sarah served as a Directing Attorney at Public Law Center in Orange County\, where she provided legal assistance and outside general counsel services to nonprofit organizations and social enterprises. \n\n\n\nSarah holds a B.A. from University of Redlands and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of California and currently resides in SoCal. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTim Mooney is senior counsel with the Bolder Advocacy Program at Alliance for Justice. He provides one-on-one technical assistance for nonprofit advocates\, teaches nonprofit and election law workshops and writes on these issues for Bolder Advocacy publications. This is his second tour with Alliance for Justice\, having previously served as senior counsel from 2001-2006. \n\n\n\nTim began his legal career as co-founder and counsel for Columbia Riverkeeper\, working to protect and restore the largest watershed in the Pacific Northwest. Following his first five years with Alliance for Justice\, Tim was senior counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. He spent the next decade as general counsel and director of operations for Tranquil Space yoga studios and later consulted on legal\, tech and business operations for entrepreneurs and nonprofits. Tim serves on the board of directors of Pigs & Pugs Project\, a charity that supports pig sanctuaries and pug rescue organizations. \n\n\n\nTim earned his B.S. in Environmental Studies from Syracuse University/SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and his J.D. from Pace University School of Law
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/bolder-advocacy-webinar-series-reflections-and-takeaways/
CATEGORIES:Bolder Advocacy Series,Member Only,Webinars
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