You're invited to IU Northwest - Savannah Center (Bergland Auditorium) for a film screening and discussion of the feature-length documentary Birthing Justice. Black women in the United States are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. Birthing Justice captures the experiences and challenges of Black women, their families, caretakers, and advocates, and examines the structures and systems that determine disparate rates of mortality. Ultimately, this pivotal film celebrates the efforts to fix America’s broken medical system and transform this narrative of tragedy into one of hope.

See them. Hear their stories. Remember and honor those we have lost. And join the movement to ensure BIRTHING JUSTICE for Black mothers and their families.

Our day will begin with a rich introduction -- Justice for NWI Mothers of Color: A collaborative approach to changing the system -- by a featured guest speaker. Following our speaker will be the screening of the Birthing Justice film. Afterward, join us for a light, locally-sourced lunch provided by NWI Food Council's Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub and its local farmers and producers as well as an engaging discussion with area experts. Our panel discussion will focus on the intersection of Black maternal & infant health, food access, and nutrition as it relates to our NWI region, state, and beyond. An audience Q&A will follow.

Thank you to our sponsors for hosting this event!

• IU Northwest College of Health & Human Services

• NWI Food Council

• Edgewater Health

Region Roots Farm Fest is a private even for member farmers, suppliers and wholesale buyers. Learn more at the Region Roots website!

Rhythms of the Land is a valentine to generations of Black farmers in the United States from the enslavement period to the present, whose intense love of the land and dedication to community enabled them to survive against overwhelming odds.  They struggled from the beginning without support or recognition, and have been written out of the dominant narratives of US agriculture.

Join us for networking, a screening and panel discussion over local food!

Join us to raise a glass to each other on National Farmer Appreciation Day at Blockhead Beerworks in Valparaiso. This event is organized by farmers for farmers and is an opportunity to talk shop, commiserate and dream of future seasons.

The NWI Food Council and Region Roots would all like to show our appreciation for your hard work so come hang out, have a round on us and enjoy chef-prepared local food. Mocktails will also be available. And children are welcome.

Region Roots is NWI's first wholesale local farm and food hub and is a project of the NWI Food Council, a 501c3 non profit organization. The Council serves all of Northwest Indiana: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke, & Pulaski counties, and cultivates a just, thriving and regenerative food system for all in NW Indiana.

Marion County SWCD and Urban Soil Health will host a bus trip this spring to visit expert farmer Jesse Frost at Rough Draft Farmstead in Kentucky. It’s a day trip leaving from Indy and picking up in Columbus, on May 23, 2023. If you are a vegetable grower who could benefit from this opportunity, please express interest by March 6 using this Google Form.

• New to Jesse ? Check out:

• https://roughdraftfarmstead.com/

• https://www.notillgrowers.com/aboutntg

• https://www.youtube.com/@notillgrowers

Join a female farmer cooperative of growers coming together to provide locally grown food to first time new mothers living at 250% or more of the poverty level (offering monthly home delivery through Nurse Family Partnership). Be a part of creating a new program that believes everyone deserves a beautiful, dignified and loving experience with food and supports female farmers, too!

Join us virtually for more info, provide input and get started planning your plantings!

May 11th, 9 am - 10 am

contact Anne & Porchea to learn more & participate

info@nwifoodcouncil.org + porchea@nwifoodcouncil.org

Join a female farmer cooperative of growers coming together to provide locally grown food to first time new mothers living at 250% or more of the poverty level (offering monthly home delivery through Nurse Family Partnership). Be a part of creating a new program that believes everyone deserves a beautiful, dignified and loving experience with food and supports female farmers, too!

Join us virtually for more info, provide input and get started planning your plantings!

May 3rd, 6 pm - 7 pm

contact Anne & Porchea to learn more & participate

info@nwifoodcouncil.org + porchea@nwifoodcouncil.org

Date & Time: April 28 and June 16
Location: Virtual

The cost of this training is covered by the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice. Participants will receive their certificate of completion in the mail.

The Working Hungry is a 30-minute film built around the stories of three families and through them, the stories of more than 700,000 people across the state of Indiana. Most of these are working families, and their hunger is hidden from those around them.

The compelling documentary asks why, in a time of low unemployment and food abundance, is food insecurity and hunger so prevalent and what can be done. The Working Hungry will dive deep into the reality of food insecurity in Indiana and what more can be done to destigmatize the conversation, more clearly understand underlying causes, and truly end hunger.

Throughout 2023, screenings of The Working Hungry, and relevant discussions will take place statewide, hosted by over 30 organizations.

The Working Hungry is a 30-minute film built around the stories of three families and through them, the stories of more than 700,000 people across the state of Indiana. Most of these are working families, and their hunger is hidden from those around them.

The compelling documentary asks why, in a time of low unemployment and food abundance, is food insecurity and hunger so prevalent and what can be done. The Working Hungry will dive deep into the reality of food insecurity in Indiana and what more can be done to destigmatize the conversation, more clearly understand underlying causes, and truly end hunger.

Throughout 2023, screenings of The Working Hungry, and relevant discussions will take place statewide, hosted by over 30 organizations.

Lunch will be provided.

Location: Hybrid

Learn how to navigate food safety regulations, understand legal issues of markets, improve market stability, offer food assistance programs, manage conflict, and more.

Registration/more info at:https://cvent.me/XVN4ba
$75
Includes market manager or market vendor manual, which
you select during registration. The Indiana Cooperative Development Center has funding
to provide a $50 discount code. Contact Amanda Mosiman for information at bailey1@purdue.edu.

The Working Hungry is a 30-minute film built around the stories of three families and through them, the stories of more than 700,000 people across the state of Indiana. Most of these are working families, and their hunger is hidden from those around them.

The compelling documentary asks why, in a time of low unemployment and food abundance, is food insecurity and hunger so prevalent and what can be done. The Working Hungry will dive deep into the reality of food insecurity in Indiana and what more can be done to destigmatize the conversation, more clearly understand underlying causes, and truly end hunger.

Throughout 2023, screenings of The Working Hungry, and relevant discussions will take place statewide, hosted by over 30 organizations.

Dinner will be provided.

The Working Hungry is a 30-minute film built around the stories of three families and through them, the stories of more than 700,000 people across the state of Indiana. Most of these are working families, and their hunger is hidden from those around them.

The compelling documentary asks why, in a time of low unemployment and food abundance, is food insecurity and hunger so prevalent and what can be done. The Working Hungry will dive deep into the reality of food insecurity in Indiana and what more can be done to destigmatize the conversation, more clearly understand underlying causes, and truly end hunger.

Throughout 2023, screenings of The Working Hungry, and relevant discussions will take place statewide, hosted by over 30 organizations.

Register for this event by clicking the button below or by calling Jasper County Community Services at 219-866-8071.

The Black Loam conference builds agricultural relationships and networking opportunities. These  workshops will provide introductions to USDA programs and resources available to BIPOC and socially disadvantaged rural, urban and community  farmers, growers and producers to assist and increase participation of USDA programs, loans, grants, sustainable agriculture  practices, business planning, and community development. 

Location: Jean Shepherd Community Center, Hammond 

A Poverty Simulation is a facilitated, immersive experience designed to provide participants with a glimpse of the realities of poverty. Participants assume the roles of “families” who do their best to survive week‐to‐week over a simulated one‐month period. The simulation presents participants with real‐life scenarios and challenges faced by people living in poverty. The exercise is immediately followed by a group debrief and discussion, during which participants reflect on the experience, discuss insights, and consider next steps.

With the Farm Bill right around the corner, creating effective messaging that clarifies your unique policy platforms is critical to building champions amongst your legislators and ensuring a Farm Bill that centers equity and supports regional food systems. In this multi-part training, communications firm Spitfire Strategies and partner organizations will bring you the tools you need to develop and deploy compelling messaging to shift perspective and build allies. More info and registration here.

• Session 1 (Feb. 22): Engaging Policymakers and Messaging 101

• Session 2 (Mar. 1): Messaging in Action

• Session 3 (Mar. 15): Office Hours, separate registration coming soon

The Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice is hosting a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training with the Safe Produce Indiana Team.  This training is for Indiana fruit and vegetable growers, specifically farmers market vendors and market managers interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The training is on February 10th from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Purdue Extension – Dearborn County Office in Aurora, IN.  Lunch will be provided.

The cost of this training is covered by the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice. Registration closes on February 5, 2023. Participants will receive their training manual day of training. Participants will receive a certificate.

For questions about registration, contact Christina Ferroli.  For questions about the training, contact Amanda Deering or 765-494-0512.

 This program is a great way to give back to the community by acting as an educator and volunteer in a diverse outreach program.