Registration will open at 8:00am. The registration process may take a couple minutes. We will check you in and give you a conference bag that includes a snazzy mug, a sticker, a $5 voucher to our Makers' Market. Solar Roast coffee, Bobo’s granola bars, and other light snacks will be served.

We will start our day with a Land Acknowledgment, Language Justice Statement, remarks and updates from Pueblo Food Project and Pueblo Count Extension Office, key announcements for the summit, and review of our community agreements.

What does it mean to create change in your community? Alamosa has found a bright light with empowered community leaders, working to make a difference. Learn from Shooting Stars Cultural and Leadership Center and their journey from concerned community members to leaders in their community. We all have the power to make a difference, let’s keep moving forward.
Speakers: Cristalray Dominguez & Jamie Dominguez, Shooting Start Cultural and Literacy Center

10:30 - 10:40    Travel Time

Please attend a session that interests you!

Agriculture, Room C | It’s Not Foul, Its Fowl: Backyard Flocks and More
From the basics to the deep dive, learn what it takes to maintain a backyard flock. This session will cover breeds, housing, nutrition, disease, and more. Hear from an experienced fowler and get the tips and tricks you need to raise a successful backyard (or bigger) flock.
Speaker: Joslyn Rafferty-Cammer, WIC & American Poultry Association

Food Systems, Room A | Harvesting Connections: Colorado's Local Food Funding Initiatives
The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program and Food Pantry Assistance Grants have provided funding to purchase foods that help feed Coloradans in need while supporting local and underserved producers. Hear different perspectives of Colorado producers, produce vendors and food distribution partners about how these food funding initiatives are working to support local food production while bringing nutritious and culturally-relevant foods to our communities.
Speaker: Matt Croghan, Poncha Creek Gardens; Hamad Backush, H.B. Produce; Steven Williams, Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado; Ron Cook, Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado; Angelika Sunie, Pueblo Farmers Market; Marci Cochran, Pueblo Farmers Market

Food for You, The Barb | Harvesting Wellness: Gardening and Mental Health
Gardening can be a channel for us to connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us. You do not have to be an expert gardener to receive the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of growing food! In this session, Venice, a retired licensed therapist, will share her story and experiences around gardening and mental health. She hopes that attendees will leave feeling inspired to start a garden, however small it may be, and embrace the inevitable challenges (and even failures) as part of the journey. Who knew that an act as simple as growing food can lead to our own growth along the way!
Speaker: Venice Gallegos, Licensed Therapist

11:40 - 11:50    Travel Time

Catering by Soul Smile Health and Wellness

1:00 - 1:10    Travel Time

Please attend a session that interests you!

Agriculture, Room C | Beneficial Insects for Gardens and Small Acreage
Bugs are all around the natural environment, in urban and rural settings. They often get a bad rap because they can be pesky, eating our plants or stinging and biting us. There are, however, a whole bunch of bugs that help us too. Join in on this session to learn more about the beneficial insects in our lives and their impact on the ecosystem and food system.
Speaker: Karim Gharbi, CSU Extension Denver County

Food Systems, Room A | Our Superpowers - A Community Leader Showcase
Learn more about the in’s and out’s of product pricing and how the market effects the profit you are making on your farm or in your agricultural business. With this in-depth discussion you will learn tips to make your operation increase value and profitability.
Speakers: Donielle Kitzman, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce; Sol Tafoya, Emerge Colorado; Tim Trujillo, Fire Fit Kids

Food for You , The Barb | Practical Home Irrigation
Have you ever been curious about the healing properties and traditional uses of common herbs and spices in your kitchen? Join Dr. Amber Golshani, ND in exploring ways to incorporate herbs into your daily diet for increased health and vitality and start building up your kitchen apothecary!
Speaker: Joshua Wagner, NOLA Naturals

2:10 - 2:20    Travel Time

Please attend a session that interests you!

Agriculture, Room C | Can You be a Mother Nature Mimic?
Looking to improve the ecosystem and landscape around you? Take a deeper look into Colorado Permaculture (utilizing nature’s design to grow, live and integrate sustainably) with this high paced session covering many aspects and facets and how you can simply integrate this technique into your garden space and life. Learn about Permaculture history, what it is, what it is not and much more.
Speakers: Pikes Peak Permaculture Institute

Food Systems, Room A | Food Sovereignty through Community Gardens
Community gardens have the potential to be a consistent and accessible source of fresh, healthy produce for communities. How do we get there? This session will start by covering the current state of our community garden network in Pueblo. We will dig into some inspiring and progressive examples of community agriculture in other cities, and then put pen to paper in a facilitated planning and visioning session for the future of community led agriculture in Pueblo!
Speakers: Allison Elliot, Colorado Yardbirds

Food for You, The Barb | Kitchen Apothecary, Immunity Supporting Herbs
Have you ever wondered why we eat soup when we're sick? Or why honey is great for a sore throat? Many of our modern ways of healing and preventing sickness have roots in herbal traditions and ancient healing practices. Join Dr. Amber Golshani, N.D., as she shares the wisdom of immune supporting herbs and foods that you probably already have in your kitchen. In this session, you will learn about how the foods you eat can support your body's natural immunity, and taste recipes for preparations that you can easily make in your own home with ingredients from the grocery store.
Speaker: Dr Amber Golshani, Dr. Amber’s Fire Cider

3:20 - 3:30    Travel Time

Nature’s most powerful lessons for building resilient agricultural landscapes and restoring a sustainable economic future.
Ancient knowledge from ecosystems provides a clear model for restoring our economies to a resilient and sustainable state. But what exactly is that knowledge? How do we apply it, and at what scale? Who benefits? The details may surprise you, while providing great hope for a sustainable economic future. Agriculture is the essential foundation of that future, and food is a most pleasurable means to rebuilding that foundation. I look forward to sharing lessons not only from nature, but from communities around the globe, who have enriched their agricultural landscapes and created sustainable economies following some of the most challenging situations imaginable. Case studies from Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Italy, and of course the US will showcase the power of small communities to forge deep and meaningful change.

Conference participants will get to explore ideas, try products, and support local food businesses at the Maker’s Market and Idea Fair. See what’s happening with local foods and take home some goodies to share with family and friends using your $5 coupon courtesy of Pueblo Food Project. Enjoy local beer and wine at the market!