Evan's Journey to Terra Madre!
Donation protected
Slow Food. Save Diversity. Save the Planet.
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
- Arundhati Roy
Wow. Breathtaking.
It is with much anticipation and excitement that I am going back to Italy, but this time it is for Slow Food International's Terra Madre gathering. This year's theme is Loving The Earth.
The photo seen above is of me and thousands of other young food advocates, social, and environmental activists, farmers, producers, cooks, students and policy makers at the first youth-focused gathering called Terra Madre Giovanni (Young Mother Earth), which took place in October 2016. It was a timely and momentous occasion. Representatives of more than 120 different countries debating the future of food, exchanging thought and ideas, smiling, hugging, and dancing!
Finally, we united in voice to protest the World Expo and the dominion that big agricultural and chemical business and food corporations are claiming as theirs in the name of profit, at the expense of YOU and I, at the expense of our COMMUNITIES, and the miracle that is MOTHER EARTH.
Why did we do protest?
Public demonstration and outcry is crucial for our future! Powers at be aim to keep us divided! The youth are akin to protest, aren't we?
Over 100,000 people walked through fantasyland Milan EXPO. To be a part of the architectural team tasked with designing your nation's pavilion was a dream come true for some. Each pavilion showcased national pride in the food and agricultural sector. Each pavilion was beautiful.
That said, people were being brainwashed to believe that what was on display were the innovations that would feed the planet.
Slow Food's philosophy is fundamentally opposed to the proliferation of a food system in a global capitalism that wages war on the oppressed and deteriorates the rich ecological diversity that sustains us and cultural diversity that we identify with and so thrive on learning about, learning our true selves and each other. This is what makes us all uniquely human in community.
And so, we spoke up! We walked the central avenue, 2 km or so, exclaiming "WE FEED THE PLANET" - and, it is truth! Small-scale producers do and will feed the planet sustainably. And, the young people committed to doing this, inheriting the knowledge and practice of this is one of the most immense undertakings of my generation.
This is TRULY INSPIRATIONAL!
I imagine the intergenerational mixing and relationships that form in this process!
There are hundreds of thousands of young people inspired by one another to build a sustainable future, one in which a human-centric and eco-centric economy thrives, one in which diversity is celebrated and of the greatest value, especially food cultural diversity.
When I traveled for a short period of time in Italy after Terra Madre Giovanni, I spoke with Italians and travelers of my experience and the intent of our protest. They were zealous about our effort! "We need young people like you all speaking up against the atrocities! No EXPO!" said an elderly woman from Costa Vescovato, Piemonte.
Just looking at the photo above, I feel energized knowing that I will, again, be sharing space with people from all walks of life, nomadic and pastoral tribespeople, peacebuilders, fishermen, pioneering organic farmers, movement anchoring feminists, innovative thought leaders, keepers of the seeds, healers, storytellers, academics, artisanel producers, et alli!
I am headed to Terra Madre in September. I am so grateful for this beautiful life that I have the immense privilege of experiencing. Being a delegate to Terra Madre is a dream come true. And, I can't be happier to representing the State of Vermont. It means so much!
I do not have the words is my present truth.
In the meantime, I will continue to produce food for a local food pantry, volunteer on a super awesome social enterprise project called the Good Food Truck, and participate in gleaning efforts to redirect food waste to-be. Also, I'm crossing my fingers that I will secure a grant to help kickstart a sustainable supply of 30+ varieties of garlic for the Burlington Area Community Gardens. It will cut costs, educate about seed agrobiodiversity, and build community throughout the year and at an event showcasing the incredibly tasteful food produced in my vibrant and diverse community.
Additionally beforehand, I will be traveling throughout Vermont interviewing young farmers, producers and chefs, food activists, and others who inspire me. The project result will be shared widely. Stay tuned!
If I have inspired you, please consider supporting me in this endeavor by making a contribution to the extent that you are willing and able.
Unable? Please consider sharing this with your networks. I so greatly appreciate it!
Thank you! Bless you! Bless us all!
Love,
Evan Girard
Slow Food Vermont/Slow Food Youth Network USA
tweeting @ food_citizen
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
- Arundhati Roy
Wow. Breathtaking.
It is with much anticipation and excitement that I am going back to Italy, but this time it is for Slow Food International's Terra Madre gathering. This year's theme is Loving The Earth.
The photo seen above is of me and thousands of other young food advocates, social, and environmental activists, farmers, producers, cooks, students and policy makers at the first youth-focused gathering called Terra Madre Giovanni (Young Mother Earth), which took place in October 2016. It was a timely and momentous occasion. Representatives of more than 120 different countries debating the future of food, exchanging thought and ideas, smiling, hugging, and dancing!
Finally, we united in voice to protest the World Expo and the dominion that big agricultural and chemical business and food corporations are claiming as theirs in the name of profit, at the expense of YOU and I, at the expense of our COMMUNITIES, and the miracle that is MOTHER EARTH.
Why did we do protest?
Public demonstration and outcry is crucial for our future! Powers at be aim to keep us divided! The youth are akin to protest, aren't we?
Over 100,000 people walked through fantasyland Milan EXPO. To be a part of the architectural team tasked with designing your nation's pavilion was a dream come true for some. Each pavilion showcased national pride in the food and agricultural sector. Each pavilion was beautiful.
That said, people were being brainwashed to believe that what was on display were the innovations that would feed the planet.
Slow Food's philosophy is fundamentally opposed to the proliferation of a food system in a global capitalism that wages war on the oppressed and deteriorates the rich ecological diversity that sustains us and cultural diversity that we identify with and so thrive on learning about, learning our true selves and each other. This is what makes us all uniquely human in community.
And so, we spoke up! We walked the central avenue, 2 km or so, exclaiming "WE FEED THE PLANET" - and, it is truth! Small-scale producers do and will feed the planet sustainably. And, the young people committed to doing this, inheriting the knowledge and practice of this is one of the most immense undertakings of my generation.
This is TRULY INSPIRATIONAL!
I imagine the intergenerational mixing and relationships that form in this process!
There are hundreds of thousands of young people inspired by one another to build a sustainable future, one in which a human-centric and eco-centric economy thrives, one in which diversity is celebrated and of the greatest value, especially food cultural diversity.
When I traveled for a short period of time in Italy after Terra Madre Giovanni, I spoke with Italians and travelers of my experience and the intent of our protest. They were zealous about our effort! "We need young people like you all speaking up against the atrocities! No EXPO!" said an elderly woman from Costa Vescovato, Piemonte.
Just looking at the photo above, I feel energized knowing that I will, again, be sharing space with people from all walks of life, nomadic and pastoral tribespeople, peacebuilders, fishermen, pioneering organic farmers, movement anchoring feminists, innovative thought leaders, keepers of the seeds, healers, storytellers, academics, artisanel producers, et alli!
I am headed to Terra Madre in September. I am so grateful for this beautiful life that I have the immense privilege of experiencing. Being a delegate to Terra Madre is a dream come true. And, I can't be happier to representing the State of Vermont. It means so much!
I do not have the words is my present truth.
In the meantime, I will continue to produce food for a local food pantry, volunteer on a super awesome social enterprise project called the Good Food Truck, and participate in gleaning efforts to redirect food waste to-be. Also, I'm crossing my fingers that I will secure a grant to help kickstart a sustainable supply of 30+ varieties of garlic for the Burlington Area Community Gardens. It will cut costs, educate about seed agrobiodiversity, and build community throughout the year and at an event showcasing the incredibly tasteful food produced in my vibrant and diverse community.
Additionally beforehand, I will be traveling throughout Vermont interviewing young farmers, producers and chefs, food activists, and others who inspire me. The project result will be shared widely. Stay tuned!
If I have inspired you, please consider supporting me in this endeavor by making a contribution to the extent that you are willing and able.
Unable? Please consider sharing this with your networks. I so greatly appreciate it!
Thank you! Bless you! Bless us all!
Love,
Evan Girard
Slow Food Vermont/Slow Food Youth Network USA
tweeting @ food_citizen
Organizer
Evan Girard
Organizer
Burlington, VT
