Workshops & Training Schedule (workshops are at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus at 640 Ellicott St. unless otherwise noted)

Friday March 9

12noon-1p       Training Registration

1p-330p            Farm (and garden) Planning and Management– Jesse Meeder, MAP Farm Director and Katherine Pfohl, MAP Farm and Markets Assistant

4p-5p                Growing Green Urban Farm Tour -Tour of MAP/Growing Green's half acre urban farm.  

6p-8p                Reception

Saturday March 10

7:30a-8:30a     Check-In & Registration

8a- 8:30a          Breakfast

830a-12noon   Aquaponics I – Jesse Meeder, MAP Farm Director   Training includes basic principles of aquaponics, system design and planning, extensive opportunities for Q & A, and hands on experience examining and operating MAP’s own commercial scale, sustainable fish farm.

12:30p-2p      Lunch & Guest Speaker – Dr. Samina Raja PH.D, Associate Professor, University of Buffalo   Highlighting the emergence of the discipline of community-based food systems planning, including the work of 'covert planning agencies' such as MAP.

215p-5p         Aquaponics II – Jesse Meeder, MAP Farm Director  

215p- 4p       Food Policy - Diane Picard, MAP Executive Director and Jessie Hersher, HKHC Coordinator- Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus   Discussing efforts going on in Buffalo to create public policy in support of healthy regional food environments.  This will be an interactive session with opportunities for attendees to share their own food policy experiences and lessons learned from other parts of the State and Region.

4:15p-5:45p    Youth Centered Programming -Erin Sharkey, MAP Creative Director   Interactive hands on workshop features MAP’s philosophy of youth development, which creates programs leading to positive results in individuals, families, and communities.  Participants will hear from Growing Green Youth about programs that appeal to teens and young adults, as well as learning activities, games, evaluation tools and incentives for programs that result in youth investment and pride. 

Dinner on your own

Sunday March 11

8a        Breakfast

830a-10a     Urban Chickens – Jesse Meeder, MAP Farm Director   -(at Growing Green Urban Farm at 389 Massachusetts Avenue) Chickens are the perfect companion for any urban farm or garden!  Training includes coop building and design, feed solutions, chicken health, and other helpful tips for incorporating local chickens into your food system.

830a-10a     Youth, Social Enterprises and the New Food System - Zoe Hollomon, MAP Markets Director     Explaining the Nuts & Bolts of Growing Green's Youth Enterprise and other market-based ventures at MAP.  Discussion will offer notes on how "Green" market niches present sales and marketing opportunities for socially focused enterprises.  Training includes approaches and techniques in making business training fun and engaging for youth

10a-1030a    Break

10a-1130a     Marketing & Messaging in Food Justice Work- Erin Sharkey, MAP Creative Director    Discussion about the importance of Marketing, Graphic Design and Messaging in Food Justice work.  Examples of Marketing Materials and messaging that Growing Green has developed related to community education and outreach.

10a-1130a    Composting   Learn to grow and create soil in an urban setting using bins, piles, worms and other “living” composters.

12p-12:30p- Group Discussion at BNMC

12:30p-1:30p  Lunch  A chance to for training participants and trainers to discuss training topics further, opportunities for participants to ask specific questions and troubleshoot challenges faced at home.