The Archuleta County community is invited to join the Food Coalition Community Conversation on Thursday, December 9 from 2 – 3pm, when we will virtually meet and chat with Amanda Laban of Guidestone Colorado out of Chaffee County.
Guidestone Colorado is a non-profit organization that is growing a vibrant agricultural future through education, community building, and partnerships. Their initiative is founded upon the belief that if individuals are exposed to experiences on local farms and ranches, that exposure results in a growing appreciation for where our food comes from and the commitment and resources needed to produce food locally. The result of these choices will be resilient local food systems, healthier communities, and a vibrant future for local agriculture.
Amanda Laban is a food systems educator, advocate and organizer. Her work has taken her from coast to coast in the US food system: apprenticing on a diversified fruit and vegetable farm in northern California, coordinating demos in Boston for a national grocery chain, running a cottage food bakery business, and managing a café in Denver, a food store on Cape Cod, and a summer CSA for a food hub in the San Luis Valley. For 5 years, she was involved in all aspects of an organic seed and vegetable farm on the Front Range. Since 2014, Amanda has been a certified Farm Succession Coordinator through the International Farm Transition Network. She holds a masters’ degree in environmental management and a bachelors’ degree from Colorado College. She sees land access as one of the greatest obstacles to running a successful ag business and welcomes innovative solutions for providing beginning farmers and ranchers with the land opportunities they need to get growing!
Come learn and discuss how this food system effort is related to the work of the Food Coalition to advance nutrition security in Archuleta County. Visit the Food Coalition’s web page to get the zoom link for the virtual meeting.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.