Cultivating Connection: Community Building Session for Growers at BFSC HQ

Cultivating Connection: Community Building Sessions at BFSC HQ

Gather with us on June 22 at the BFSC HQ to build relationships, share experiences, and strengthen community among urban farmers, growers, and land stewards.

Through conversation, storytelling, and a shared meal, we’ll reflect on our experiences as producers, the conditions shaping our work, and the possibilities we can build together.

We’re offering free professional headshots for farmers attending the event. A photographer will be onsite from 12:30–1:00 PM and again from 3:00–3:30 PM. When you register, you’ll have a chance to let us know if you’re interested in having your headshot taken.

Date & Time

Sunday, June 22

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Where

BFSC HQ

1526 SE Elliott Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Parking

Street parking

Food

We’ll share a meal, with omnivore, gluten-free, plant-based options provided

Compensation

Producer participants will receive a stipend.

Who We’re Gathering With

These sessions are designed for farmers, growers, gardeners, and land stewards who are building community, growing food, and caring for land in urban spaces.

Family-Friendly

Children are welcome.

Language

The primary language of the session is English. If you need interpretation, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.

Cost

Free

Registration closes 2 hours before the session begins.

Presented by Ecotrust in partnership with Black Food Sovereignty Coalition and Black Oregon Land Trust (BOLT).

About the Organizers

Ecotrust

Ecotrust is a regional nonprofit working in partnership from California to Alaska toward the vision of a more just, prosperous, and climate-smart future. Ecotrust’s mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental well-being. Our goal is to foster a natural model of development that creates more resilient communities, economies, and ecosystems here and around the world. Our approach focuses on impact at the intersections of equity, the economy, and the environment. Together, we uplift Indigenous leadership to respond to contemporary land and water management challenges, connect schools with local producers, provide technical support for community-centered businesses, and more.

Black Food Sovereignty Coalition

The Black Food Sovereignty Coalition's (BFSC) mission is to ignite Black and Brown communities to participate as owners and movement leaders within food systems, placemaking, and economic development. We serve as a collaboration hub for Black and Brown communities to confront the systemic barriers that make food, place and economic opportunities inaccessible to us. BFSC is focused on meeting these barriers with creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions.

Black Oregon Land Trust

Black Oregon Land Trust (BOLT) works to ensure that Black communities have secure and affordable land access, protected ecosystems, and earth stewardship skills to create thriving futures through unprecedented change. BOLT is committed to eliminating the systemic barriers that continue to prevent Black communities from securely accessing land, because we believe that land sovereignty is the key to achieving our visions of food justice, generational wealth and health, cultural preservation, and thriving communities.

Accessibility Notes

Water: Please bring a reusable water bottle and avoid single use plastic containers.

Food: Our shared meal will include omnivore, gluten-free, plant-based options. We invite you to bring a meal that supports your own personal wellness needs in place of what is provided if needed.

Bathroom: There are multiple gender-neutral bathrooms. There are also multiple sinks for hand washing and filling water bottles.

Sensory Environment: There may be multiple conversations or background noise happening at once.

Interaction level: Medium. We will facilitate a conversation exploring opportunities, barriers, hopes, and aspirations. . We will invite guests to share their insights. Participating in the conversation is optional.

Animals:No animals are permitted on site except qualified service animals under the ADA. Service animals must be kept on leash and under control. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted on site. If there are questions or concerns, please contact foodsystemsequity@ecotrust.org

Email foodsystemsequity@ecotrust.org if you have additional questions or accommodation requests. Please email requests at least 2 weeks in advance when possible.