On June 19 – 21, 2013 key players from the Atlantic region will gather together on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus to explore the ways that our agricultural and food systems can be re-invented to improve the health of Atlantic Canadians.
Cultivating Agriculture, Food and Health will challenge participants to identify actions to better link agriculture, food and health, with a focus on improving outcomes for Atlantic Canadians. While the creation of new ideas within one field may be limited, opportunities to innovate are multiplied when players from different fields intersect. Cultivating Agriculture, Food and Health will create a space for intersections between the agriculture, food and health sectors and stimulate the kind of in-depth discussions required to work towards a common goal.
The driving force behind the forum is the recognition that while food and nutrition are now linked firmly to health, and while there are many organizations currently weighing in on the discussion of agriculture, food and health, there is still work to do in order to bring commercial agriculture and primary food production into the discussion.
Downtime is limited in a two-and-a-half day program dedicated to the rigorous sharing of ideas, insights and experiences. The first two days feature a demanding, high-value schedule of thought-provoking presentations and discussions with leaders in their fields.
On Thursday evening participants will be challenged by a special public talk on the theme “Change Dinner, Change Health, Change Atlantic Canada,” with Ellen Gustafson, Co-Founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank. On Friday the intense program will continue with a talk and open discussion with Ms. Gustafson, and conclude with a facilitated session on “Building Bridges.”
The unique feature of the forum is that participants will work with co-influencers from across sectors to identify ways to more effectively collaborate and move initiatives forward. Facilitated sessions and post-forum follow-up and support will help participants formulate and then implement ideas and strategies generated in the forum.
The registration fee is $295 plus HST and the deadline for registration is June 7, 2013. For more information, please contact Extended Learning at the Faculty of Agriculture at 902-893-6666, or visit the forum website at: www.dal.ca/exl.