UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The morning dawned with laughter and song, and the good vibes continued throughout the day at the 2018 Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network symposium on Dec. 12. Spotlighting the many ways in which women in agriculture can be a positive force for their communities, this year’s symposium — “Women Growing Justice” — was held at the Eden Hall campus of Chatham University (their Food Studies, Women’s Institute and CRAFT programs were the presenting sponsor). The new location on the outskirts of Pittsburgh allowed members from the western half of the state an easier commute to the annual gathering. Also new this year was the option for child care, which more than one working mom found exceedingly helpful.
After morning refreshments prepared by the staff of the Esther Barazzone Center café, Pittsburgh’s own LaVerne Baker-Hotep and Sheila Collins got everyone moving, talking, singing and laughing with their creative InterPlay session, an interactive blend of song, dance and storytelling. With spirits high, participants then moved on to their choice of morning breakout sessions, from talks on inter-generational farming, agricultural folkways and diversity to workshops on farm record-keeping, heritage livestock breeds and food policy. Also showing throughout the morning was a compelling documentary about the crucial importance of the world’s heirloom seed stocks, Seed: the Untold Story.
Participants then gathered for lunch and to celebrate the recipients of this year’s PA-WAgN awards. The 2018 WAgN Bolster Award went to Erin Hart and Liz Kanche, of Farm-to-Table of western Pennsylvania for their tireless work in highlighting the importance of women in agriculture. The 2018 Wagoner Award was awarded to Nykisha Madison-Keita, of the Urban Tree Connection in Philadelphia not only for her selfless work in her own community, but also for her dedication to mentoring others who wish to improve their local food systems. Nykisha gave the crowd a much-needed reminder that we do not have to achieve Herculean successes every day to BE a success — that to just be our own positive selves, doing what we can every day, is enough.
The symposium then welcomed keynote speaker (sponsored by PA Preferred) Erika Allen, co-founder and CEO of Operations for the Chicago-based Urban Growers Collective Erika shared stories of her challenges and triumphs in helping to create resilient local food systems for both urban and rural areas around Chicago. Allen underscored the importance of creativity and adaptability when working with a community to find the local solutions that work best, from youth farms to art farms to goat yoga.
Building on the positivity and can-do attitude of Allen’s keynote address, Caitie Whelan of The Lightning Notes, presented The Art of Risk Taking and encouraged the group to explore their comfort zones and find ways of pushing beyond those boundaries to achieve their goals. Members then split off again for the afternoon round of seminars and workshops, including a practical overview of farm law and two real-life examples of the power of “agvocacy” to bring about positive change in our communities.
PA-WAgN would like to thank all of this year’s sponsors and the USDA for the funding to make this year’s symposium possible, as well as the support and hospitality of Chatham University and the dedication, commitment and generosity of all of our amazing speakers and members. We look forward to seeing you again in 2019 somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania — stay tuned for the location and topic of next year’s symposium.
— Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network