Collaborating for a Resilient Local Food Future

Join Us for a Special Agriculture Symposium!

Are you a member of the and actively producing, procuring, and/or promoting local food? You're invited to a vibrant day of learning, networking, and innovation as we bring together educators, growers, advocates, and community leaders from across Florida. Together, we’ll explore the future of local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience.

This event is made possible through the collaborative efforts of thanks to Katrina Morris, Coordinator for FIU Relations & Event Logistics, and , as part of the USDA-funded .

As this project is supported by a USDA grant, data collection is essential. We kindly ask all participants to complete a brief to help us measure impact and improve future programming.

Are you a “food actor”—someone involved in producing, promoting, providing, or selling local food in your community?
We invite you to join our FREE statewide network of food system changemakers.
👉 to receive your invitation and connect with others working to strengthen Florida’s local food economy.

This symposium agenda was shaped by community feedback and needs assessments. Your participation will not only expand your knowledge but also contribute to a growing collective of shared expertise and local wisdom.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and cultivate change.

🌿 Culinary Lunch Add-On: Nourish Your Day with Wayra Roots

We’re thrilled to offer a delicious, plant-based lunch experience curated by Wayra Roots, featuring vibrant meals made with yuca and other farm-fresh, locally sourced ingredients. All dishes are 100% gluten-free and served in compostable packaging in alignment with FIU’s plastic-free policy.

✨ Quantities are limited — pre-ordering is highly recommended to guarantee your meal.
👉 Click to place your order by July 13th!

Treat yourself to a meal that’s as sustainable as it is satisfying!

We can’t wait to see you there!

*By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded. Media may be used for promotional purposes. Notify staff to opt out, though incidental inclusion in crowd shots may still occur. Thank you for your understanding!

Info: Arrive at the check-in to obtain your name badge and begin networking with other attendees before our productive day of discussions and sessions starts!

Info: Lana Chehabeddine, Assistant Programs Manager at Florida Organic Growers and Consumers, LLC and Katrina Morris, Coordinator for FIU Relations & Event Logistics, will warmly welcome attendees and serve as your guides throughout the day’s activities.

Info: Get ready for a fast-paced, high-impact session designed to spark ideas and inspire action. In this dynamic format, participants will select two topics, each presented in a 20-minute lightning talk. These sessions are crafted to ignite imagination and leave each attendee with at least one small, crowd-sourced, actionable step they can take toward meaningful change.

Info: Explore sustainable farming practices that restore ecosystems and build resilience.

Info: Learn creative strategies for securing funding and telling your story effectively.

Info: Participants will delve into innovative models such as community land trusts, cooperative ownership, land leasing strategies, and public-private partnerships that are reshaping how land is acquired, managed, and shared.

Info: Join an interactive panel discussion where a farmer, a chef, and a food-focused entrepreneur come together to share their unique perspectives on building resilient, local food systems. Through open dialogue, they’ll explore the real-world challenges they face, the creative collaborations that drive their work, and the opportunities that emerge when diverse voices come to the table. This session invites audience participation and aims to spark new ideas for cross-sector partnerships that nourish both communities and economies.

Info: Unwind and connect during this informal networking session designed to spark conversation and collaboration. Attendees are invited to share ideas, reflect on the day’s insights, and build new relationships within the local food community. Light refreshments, snack samples will be provided and an optional lunch ticket with support from our catering partners Wayra Roots. Please select the ticket add on option(s) to place your order.

Info: Dive into focused, action-oriented breakout sessions designed to empower farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and connections needed to build resilient, values-driven food businesses. Each session will explore real-world strategies for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the sustainable food economy—from regenerative agriculture and ethical sourcing to culinary innovation and mission-aligned business models.


Participants will engage in peer learning, practical exercises, and facilitated discussions tailored to their roles in the food system. Whether you're growing food, preparing it, or building a business around it, these sessions will help you strengthen your impact, deepen your collaborations, and move from vision to action.

Info: Participants will explore how the Hylo network platform can be used to strengthen collaboration, share resources, and catalyze collective action within sustainable food systems. Guided by the event host, attendees will form small groups to identify shared goals, challenges, and opportunities in their work—and then use Hylo to map connections, post initiatives, and discover aligned efforts across the network.

Info: This reflective session offers space to pause, process, and share the insights, connections, and inspirations gathered throughout the event. Guided by the host, participants will engage in a mix of personal reflection, small group dialogue, and collective sharing to surface key takeaways and identify next steps.


This is more than a wrap-up—it’s a moment to honor the work, wisdom, and relationships cultivated, and to plant seeds for continued collaboration and impact beyond the event. Come ready to speak from the heart, listen deeply, and leave with renewed clarity and purpose.

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