The following is program information from the City of Riverside on the upcoming:

3rd Annual GrowRIVERSIDE: Cultivating Our Future Conference on March 21st at UC Riverside

The conference organizers write:

“The 2016 3rd Annual GrowRIVERSIDE conference aims to:

• Equip attendees with knowledge and tools to create vibrant local food systems
• Generate opportunities for economic development and community engagement
• Advance public policy related to food and agriculture
• Provide a venue for stakeholders to network

Immediately following the conference is a one-hour hors d’oeuvres mixer with a local flair. Entry to the mixer is included in the conference ticket.”

Register for the conference and associated events by going to this URL: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/growriverside-9235301728

“On Tuesday, March 22nd the City will be hosting a one-day tour of Riverside’s agricultural assets.

March 22nd Tour sites include:

• The Arlington Heights Greenbelt and Gage Canal
• 
Fox Farm
• UCR R’Garden
• 
Unity Farms
• Eastside HEAL Zone project“

March 21, 2016 3rd Annual GrowRIVERSIDE Conference Program

Conference Breakout Session Track Key:

Track I – Local Production and Distribution
Track II – Small Farm Development
Track III – Community Engagement

7:00 – 8:00am – Check-In & Breakfast

8:00am – Welcome

Morning Keynote: Role of Institutions in Local Food Shed Development
Presenter: Glenda Humiston, Vice President of University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Breakout Sessions #1

I. Farming in the 21st Century
Panel of experienced farmers will speak on how they got started, the challenge they faced, and how they have grown their businesses.

Speakers: Jeff Alves of Farm to Office; Ryan Anderson of Cal Poly Pomona Hydroponics Agriculture; Paula Muskey, Arland Knutson Insurance Agency

II. Securing Capital to Grow Your Business

Speakers: Michelle Greenwood, KIVA Zip Crowd Funding; Valery Belloso – Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer at Accion San Diego; Seth Wilson, Cutting Edge Capital; Allison Paap, American Ag Credit

III. Engaging Communities through Community Garden

Speakers: Yvette Sennewald, City of Riverside; Walt Sandford – Co-founder Good Neighbor Gardens and Executive Director of the San Diego Community Garden Network

Breakout Sessions #2

I. Local Resources for Food & Agriculture
Local government entities will discuss resources available (permits, technical assistance, food safety guidelines, water resources and more) to farmers and food entrepreneurs.

Speakers: Bob Hewitt of the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District; Eta Takele, Riverside County Director for Cooperative Extension; Delia Cioc, Deputy Director for Riverside County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office

II. Government Resources for Small Farm Development

Speakers: Janice Waddell, USDA Rural Development; Rosalinda Singh, USDA Farm Service Agency

III. Connecting Local and Health

Healthcare professionals will discuss how fostering a local food system promotes health, food security and thriving communities.

Speakers: Cecilia Arias, Kaiser Permanente; Gloria Martinez, Mother’s Nutritional Center

Lunch Keynote: Self-financing “Pollinator” Enterprises to Grow Jobs and Prosperity in Food and Agriculture Sectors
Presenter: Michael Shuman

Breakout Sessions #3

I. Establishing Local Food Hubs

Speakers: Larry Yee – Co-Founder, President and Coordinating Director of Food Commons; Bob Harrington – President of Specialty Produce

II. Connecting Property Owners and Farmers

Speakers: Jordan Perkins, Solutions for Urban Agriculture; Toby Soto, City of Riverside

III. Local Food Procurement by Restaurants and Institutions

Speakers: Clare Fox – Executive Director of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council; Erin Gettis, City of Riverside

Afternoon Keynote: Private-Public Partnerships for a More Sustainable Future
Presenter: Secretary Karen Ross

5:00 – 6:00pm – After Conference Mixer

6:30 – 9:30pm – Citrus Circle Dinner at the UCR Alumni Center (Separate Ticket Purchase Required)

Register for the conference and associated events by going to this URL: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/growriverside-9235301728