We Grow Food - And Community! with Orion Kriegman

Many of us were introduced to Orion in the article: "He’s on a Mission to Turn Boston into a Collection of Food Forests." Now you can come hear him in person!

Orion Kriegman, Executive Director of the Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC), will lead us in a dynamic discussion about how to organize diverse neighborhoods for the purpose of shared food growing. Orion will share the story of the creation of the Egleston Community Orchard and how neighbors of all backgrounds came together to transform a vacant lot and inspire the birth of the BFFC.

BFFC is a non-profit community land trust for neighborhood “forest gardens” with sites in Dorchester, JP, East Boston, West End, and Mattapan. These edible public parks engage hundreds of volunteers, host harvest festivals and other community events, and grow relationships among neighbors, land and food. In sharing this story, Orion will highlight strategies and tools for community organizing, how to get consensus, and how to balance the need to make sure all voices are heard and the need to engage people through action. Your stories, experiences, and expertise are welcome - we will harness the collective intelligence in the room to learn together.

COST: sliding scale of $10-40. A nonrefundable deposit of $5 is required to reserve your space with the rest of the fee due at the event. If you need financial assistance to attend, contact Amy A for another option as we plan to include anyone who wants to come!

POTLUCK: After the workshop you are invited to stay for a potluck meal with Orion. Please bring your "potluck kit" - dish, bowl, cup, silverware, napkin - as well as your potluck contribution.

MORE ABOUT ORION: Orion Kriegman is the Executive Director of the Boston Food Forest Coalition, an organization that promotes food justice and sustainable urban agriculture.

Orion is also the former Co-Director of the New England Resilience and Transition Network, addressing challenges of community resilience at a regional level. He co-founded Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition, a community-driven project pioneering an economy that is place-based, sustainable, and reduces race and class inequity. Prior to this he was an Associate at Tellus Institute, where he served as Coordinator of the Great Transition Initiative, an international network of scholars and activists exploring scenarios of sustainable global development.

Orion holds a Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Sponsored by Seacoast Permaculture, CLIPPERS Farm to School, SEAREI, Robinwood Center, PS21 & North Shore Permaculture Collaborative