The UN Food & Agriculture Organization named 2015 the International Year of Soils to "increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions." One of their objectives is to "raise awareness about the profound importance of soil for human life."  This declaration inspired my choice of soil advocate and farmer Zach Lester of Tree and Leaf Farm to speak at my TEDx Manhattan "Changing the Way We Eat" viewing party earlier this year. So I was genuinely thrilled when my colleague Melissa Jones, the founder of GoodSoil Events, asked me to be involved with the road trip and farm tour of Rodale Institute she curated. She's created a very intimate, educational and of course tasty experience that includes a tour of Rodale's organic farm and the opportunity to learn from these organic pioneers about how Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People. She's got lots of other good stuff planned as well (see below).

Hope you can join us!

GoodSoil Events Goes to Rodale Institute

Free on Saturday, August 1st? Join GoodSoil Events for a road trip & farm tour to Rodale Institute, a pioneer in organic farming. Experience this dynamic farm in the hills of Pennsylvania and learn all about their innovative farming practices designed to optimize soil health. Plus, network with like-minded food advocates, enjoy a goody bag from local food artisans and more. Tickets are going fast – space is limited! Registration ends Wednesday, July 29th. 

Get tickets and learn more here: http://bit.ly/GSE_TixExt

On Saturday, March 7th I will be hosting my first viewing party for TEDx Manhattan’s “Changing the Way We Eat”. Last year I had the privilege of attending the event in person, and it was a professional highlight of 2014. The experience inspired me to share the event with others and create opportunities for those with an interest in sustainable food and agriculture to connect.

In case you’re not familiar with it, TEDx Manhattan “Changing the Way We Eat,” is a one-day conference featuring a dynamic and diverse group of speakers addressing issues in the sustainable food and farming movement.  To bring in a local element, I’ll be bringing together local food experts to speak during breaks in the webcast, plus some amazing local food entrepreneurs, including Fruitcycle, Urban+Ade by Evensong Farm and Sprout Kitchen Gardens, who have graciously offered to donate snacks and beverages. Sweetgreen has gone above and beyond my wildest dreams by agreeing to  provide salad for the first 100 people who RSVP by Friday, Feb. 27th.

I feel so lucky to have this diverse and dynamic group speaking:

• Pam Hess of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, which is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system in the Washington, DC area
  
• Amos Desjardins, an ultra marathon runner who ran 500 miles in Virginia to raise awareness for hunger and food insecurity
  
• Tom McDougall of 4P Foods, who believes that businesses have the ability and the responsibility to use their economic engines to drive, real, lasting positive social change
• Zach Lester of Tree and Leaf Farm, a food visionary, farmer and lover of all things related to soil, in honor of 2015 being declared the Year of Soils by the UN General Assembly
  
• Elizabeth O'Connell of Green America who will talk about the hidden labor costs in the food we eat that is grown both internationally and domestically

Why am I doing this? There are so many reasons. As I have heard many people say over the years, “We are all eaters” and "We vote with our forks." Food touches all of us regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, socio-economic or marital status. We make choices multiple times a day that have a far reaching impact on our food system. This system is severely broken and is in need of creative and innovative solutions that will literally change the way we, and generations to come, eat.

Food is also the gateway to tackling many of our most pressing issues – climate change, obesity, food waste, food insecurity, social justice, water, soil, sustainable farming and more. All of these things can be addressed through the lens of food.

At the very core of my being I am a connector. I connect people through ideas, stories, marketing initiatives and partnerships that move the needle and make this world a better place. My hope is to bring together those who also care about these important issues surrounding food to meet and connect with others who share these interests. To shine a light on creative and innovative ways others are creating change. 


Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. This is one small way I can do just that.

To join me, reserve your free ticket and get more information, go here.