Workshops
Agriculture as a Social Justice Issue: The Food Justice Movement
by Mo Constantine from Bard College at Simon's Rock
What is the food justice movement and what impact has it had? What does the organic food movement have in common with the animal rights movement? We will explore the intersection of oppression: how racism, sexism, speciesism, and xenophobia interact to ensure the maintenance of “otherness.” We will also brainstorm possible solutions to food injustices and future food justice projects, as well as workshop past campaigns and experiences. Come ready to talk about your work and interests.
Buddhism and Ecology
by Nathan Zweig from the Putney School
Climate Change and Maternal Health
by Tome Evans and Marilyn DelDonno from The Cambridge School of Weston
We will discuss patterns in maternal health indicators across the globe and consider the impact of climate change. Some questions we will address:
1. What are the major factors that influence maternal health around the globe? This includes the role of the natural environment, the government and cultural and societal norms.
2. What are some of the expected outcomes of climate change by geographic region, and what is the potential negative impact on maternal health?
3. What are some potential solutions to issues of maternal health in our country and abroad and what can we do about it?
Climate Change, Colonialism, and Capitalism
by Sabrina Melendez from Bennington College
Climate Change Science 101
by Erica Lengacher from the Putney School
Dairy Farmworkers Organizing for Human Rights
by Migrant Justice
Learn about the history of Migrant Justice, the driver's license campaign, (Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing policy) FIP, and Milk with Dignity.
Divestment as a Form of Activism
by Kevin Feal-Staub from the Putney School
Facilitating for Equity: Climate Justice
by Deanna Kuhney, Wesley Kuhney, Miriam Dror, and Charles Laurel
Most people are comfortable talking about issues of climate. However, the justice - injustice component often requires talking about racial inequity; this is often the pressure point that leads to uncomfortable conversations that breakdown. This workshop will introduce participants to strategies and tools that enable them to create comfortable spaces for uncomfortable conversations to occur, in order to move toward relevant solutions.
Growing Climate Justice Through Community Gardening
by Rachel Brice and Kelsey Bearden from Community Garden Connections at Antioch University New England
This workshop will create a space for participants to imagine and articulate their motivations and hopes for getting involved in community garden projects. We will cover a brief history and summary of the impacts of Antioch University’s Community Garden Connections, discuss some of the documented benefits of gardening in general and community gardening in particular, and facilitate a collaborative visioning process to help create a foundation for participants’ work moving forward in this field.
Levers of Power: Systems Mapping and Identifying Leverage Points for Change
by Tome Evans and Marilyn DelDonno from Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
Participants will take a climate justice-related project they have chosen and create a map of the system(s) related to the project. They will then identify and assess leverage points, choose ones they would like to employ, and begin to identify project goals.
"Milpa": the Traditional Intercropping System of Regional Vegetables
by Abelardo Almazan-Vazquez from the Putney School
Have you ever heard of "The Three Sisters" (winter squash, corn, and climbing beans)? Well, Milpa is "a reflection of the knowledge, technology and agricultural practices necessary to obtain from the land and human labor the products necessary to satisfy the basic needs of the peasant family. Because the milpas represent an important part of Mexican cuisine and continue to be the basis of food sovereignty in many regions of Mexico.
Psychology of Climate Communication
by William Edelglass and Sophie Ackermann from Marlboro College
Racism in the U.S. Food System and Ideas to Dismantle It
by Amy Bowen from Farm and Wilderness
In this workshop we'll take an interactive approach to uncovering how the U.S. food systems is rooted in racism, and continues to negatively impact communities of color. After briefly exploring the complexities of the systematic injustices caused by the way in which we produce and distribute our food, we will work together to build strategies for moving toward racial justice within our food system.
Story of Self, Us and Now - Creating Powerful Public Narratives
by Daniel Quipp from 350VT
Come join local 350VT organizer Daniel Quipp for a workshop on creating public narratives. We'll use Marshall Ganz's idea of the story of self, us and now to frame why we are called to climate justice work, why it matters to our community and why NOW is the time to act.
The Role of Community Scale Ag in Vermont's Climate Future
by Ben Hewitt from Rural Vermont
Led by Rural Vermont’s Ben Hewitt, this workshop will explore the impact of agriculture and food on Vermont’s climate. We’ll look at the ways in which the dominant agriculture and food systems exacerbate climate change, and we’ll also discuss the potential for community-scale, regenerative ag to mitigate climate change, heal the land., and address a host of justice issues in the state we all love so deeply. Expect plenty of vigorous discussion and please come prepared with questions!
Unseen Disasters
by Brie, Maya, and Taisuke from Cambridge School of Weston
Climate change is happening in a faster pace than it has been before. By this rapid change, disasters such as flooding, draught, Malaria invades areas of the Earth in which they could not survive before. We will analyze what is happening in terms of data, think why and how this can be prevented, discuss realistic solutions.
Youth Activism: Why Your Voice Matters
by Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC)
Join Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC) in a workshop on the importance and need for youth activism and voice. MGMC is a slam poetry group made up of Kiran Waqar (18), Hawa Adam (18), Lena Ginawi (17), and Balkisa Adbdikadir (17)* who use poetry to elevate their voices. They have performed around the state of Vermont, competed in Washington, DC, and continue to be recognized by local, national, and international organization and press. Join MGMC in a casual, Q&A style discussion on their group and individual journeys as youth activists and to learn how to get started or continue your work.
by Mo Constantine from Bard College at Simon's Rock
What is the food justice movement and what impact has it had? What does the organic food movement have in common with the animal rights movement? We will explore the intersection of oppression: how racism, sexism, speciesism, and xenophobia interact to ensure the maintenance of “otherness.” We will also brainstorm possible solutions to food injustices and future food justice projects, as well as workshop past campaigns and experiences. Come ready to talk about your work and interests.
Buddhism and Ecology
by Nathan Zweig from the Putney School
Climate Change and Maternal Health
by Tome Evans and Marilyn DelDonno from The Cambridge School of Weston
We will discuss patterns in maternal health indicators across the globe and consider the impact of climate change. Some questions we will address:
1. What are the major factors that influence maternal health around the globe? This includes the role of the natural environment, the government and cultural and societal norms.
2. What are some of the expected outcomes of climate change by geographic region, and what is the potential negative impact on maternal health?
3. What are some potential solutions to issues of maternal health in our country and abroad and what can we do about it?
Climate Change, Colonialism, and Capitalism
by Sabrina Melendez from Bennington College
Climate Change Science 101
by Erica Lengacher from the Putney School
Dairy Farmworkers Organizing for Human Rights
by Migrant Justice
Learn about the history of Migrant Justice, the driver's license campaign, (Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing policy) FIP, and Milk with Dignity.
Divestment as a Form of Activism
by Kevin Feal-Staub from the Putney School
Facilitating for Equity: Climate Justice
by Deanna Kuhney, Wesley Kuhney, Miriam Dror, and Charles Laurel
Most people are comfortable talking about issues of climate. However, the justice - injustice component often requires talking about racial inequity; this is often the pressure point that leads to uncomfortable conversations that breakdown. This workshop will introduce participants to strategies and tools that enable them to create comfortable spaces for uncomfortable conversations to occur, in order to move toward relevant solutions.
Growing Climate Justice Through Community Gardening
by Rachel Brice and Kelsey Bearden from Community Garden Connections at Antioch University New England
This workshop will create a space for participants to imagine and articulate their motivations and hopes for getting involved in community garden projects. We will cover a brief history and summary of the impacts of Antioch University’s Community Garden Connections, discuss some of the documented benefits of gardening in general and community gardening in particular, and facilitate a collaborative visioning process to help create a foundation for participants’ work moving forward in this field.
Levers of Power: Systems Mapping and Identifying Leverage Points for Change
by Tome Evans and Marilyn DelDonno from Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
Participants will take a climate justice-related project they have chosen and create a map of the system(s) related to the project. They will then identify and assess leverage points, choose ones they would like to employ, and begin to identify project goals.
"Milpa": the Traditional Intercropping System of Regional Vegetables
by Abelardo Almazan-Vazquez from the Putney School
Have you ever heard of "The Three Sisters" (winter squash, corn, and climbing beans)? Well, Milpa is "a reflection of the knowledge, technology and agricultural practices necessary to obtain from the land and human labor the products necessary to satisfy the basic needs of the peasant family. Because the milpas represent an important part of Mexican cuisine and continue to be the basis of food sovereignty in many regions of Mexico.
Psychology of Climate Communication
by William Edelglass and Sophie Ackermann from Marlboro College
Racism in the U.S. Food System and Ideas to Dismantle It
by Amy Bowen from Farm and Wilderness
In this workshop we'll take an interactive approach to uncovering how the U.S. food systems is rooted in racism, and continues to negatively impact communities of color. After briefly exploring the complexities of the systematic injustices caused by the way in which we produce and distribute our food, we will work together to build strategies for moving toward racial justice within our food system.
Story of Self, Us and Now - Creating Powerful Public Narratives
by Daniel Quipp from 350VT
Come join local 350VT organizer Daniel Quipp for a workshop on creating public narratives. We'll use Marshall Ganz's idea of the story of self, us and now to frame why we are called to climate justice work, why it matters to our community and why NOW is the time to act.
The Role of Community Scale Ag in Vermont's Climate Future
by Ben Hewitt from Rural Vermont
Led by Rural Vermont’s Ben Hewitt, this workshop will explore the impact of agriculture and food on Vermont’s climate. We’ll look at the ways in which the dominant agriculture and food systems exacerbate climate change, and we’ll also discuss the potential for community-scale, regenerative ag to mitigate climate change, heal the land., and address a host of justice issues in the state we all love so deeply. Expect plenty of vigorous discussion and please come prepared with questions!
Unseen Disasters
by Brie, Maya, and Taisuke from Cambridge School of Weston
Climate change is happening in a faster pace than it has been before. By this rapid change, disasters such as flooding, draught, Malaria invades areas of the Earth in which they could not survive before. We will analyze what is happening in terms of data, think why and how this can be prevented, discuss realistic solutions.
Youth Activism: Why Your Voice Matters
by Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC)
Join Muslim Girls Making Change (MGMC) in a workshop on the importance and need for youth activism and voice. MGMC is a slam poetry group made up of Kiran Waqar (18), Hawa Adam (18), Lena Ginawi (17), and Balkisa Adbdikadir (17)* who use poetry to elevate their voices. They have performed around the state of Vermont, competed in Washington, DC, and continue to be recognized by local, national, and international organization and press. Join MGMC in a casual, Q&A style discussion on their group and individual journeys as youth activists and to learn how to get started or continue your work.