In collaboration with key partners across the Chesapeake area, Engaged Community Offshoots, Inc. (ECO) will host the Sowing Seeds Here and Now!: A Chesapeake Area Urban Farming Summit on Friday, June 18 at the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

The Sowing Seeds Here Now and Now! Summit promotes community-based urban farming because it:

* increases food security and the availability of healthy food,
* decreases unemployment by supplying meaningful green jobs,
* anchors vital resources and wealth in local communities, and
* is a key component in promoting public health and creating a sustainable, just, local food system.

The summit gathers innovative practitioners, farmers, scholars, for-profit and not-for-profit leaders, policy makers and agency directors to discuss specific strategies to help move the urban agriculture movement forward throughout the Chesapeake area.

Workshops sessions will include:

1.Urban Farming Hands-on Workshops (3 sessions: Urban Farm Design and Business Plan Basics, Community Composting, High Tunnel Construction)

2.Healthy People and the Environment Focus (3 sessions: Health, Environment, Equity)

3.Policy and Planning for Economic Development (3 sessions: Land Use, Incentives, Policy and Planning)

4.Investing in Social and Environmental Justice (3 sessions: Faith Communities, Youth, Food and Justice)

Successful case studies will be sprinkled throughout each session, blending the theory with on the ground realities and actionable intelligence. All participants will be able to mix and match which sessions they would like to participate within.

ECO is a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to involve people from all walks of life in healthy and sustainable living activities. Their work aims to reverse the effects of systemic poverty, racism, and environmental destruction through establishing and promoting social venture community-based businesses.

Visit the Sowing Seeds website for more information about the summit, including a detailed agenda and a list of speakers.