Let’s Go Organic: Empowering Local Food Systems

ONLINE CONVERSATION WITH SPENCER FENNIMAN OF BIODYNAMIC HAWTHORNE VALLEY FARM, DAVE CHAPMAN OF REAL ORGANIC PROJECT, AND ANGO SARA TASHKER OF SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER OF EMPOWERING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

Join Dave Chapman and the Real Organic project as we explore two spiritual traditions of farming, one from the Biodynamic system and the other from the Buddhist Zen tradition. This Dialogue centers on how local communities can encourage organic farms by participating in CSAs, purchasing goods at farmers’ markets, family-owned food markets, and other ventures. Presented by the Temple of Understanding ECO JUSTICE FOR ALL Dialogue Series.

Dave Chapman runs Long Wind Farm in Vermont and is the Executive Director of the Real Organic Project. He is a founding member of the Vermont Organic Farmers. He has been active in the movement to Keep The Soil In Organic. He is proud to be a current member of the Policy Committee of the Organic Farmers Association. He served on the USDA Hydroponic Task Force. Dave serves in a Farmer position.

Spencer Fenniman is the Director of Farming Operations at Hawthorne Valley Farm, a 900 acre multi-functional organic and biodynamic farm in Ghent, NY. The non-profit Hawthorne Valley Association has for 50 years worked to renew soil, society and the self through education, agriculture and the arts. Spencer has managed fields and fertility since arriving in 2012, and took over the management of the farming operations in 2017. Spencer loves the daily challenges of working with the land. Farming takes deep knowledge, listening, creativity, dedication and great teachers. He lives in sight of the farm with his wife and 2 children.

Ango Sara Tashker has been an organic farmer and residential practitioner at San Francisco Zen Center since 2002. From 2007 she has helped lead Green Gulch Farm’s six-month Organic Farm and Garden Apprenticeship for people interested in integrating residential Zen Buddhist practice and hands-on training in organic farming and gardening. She loves that her every activity is the fertile ground of Zen practice: growing food, relating to community, being a mother, appreciating the breath and body. In fall 2011, she served as Shuso (Head Student) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center with Abbots Myogen Steve Stücky and Sojun Mel Weitsman. She currently serves as Director of Green Gulch Farm.

Registration: $5
If you would like to receive a free ticket please email our Program Director “Free Ticket Request” at suzym@templeofunderstanding.org