EVENT RECAP
Terra Madre: YOUTH FOOD MOVEMENT

Since most sessions at Terra Madre are introduced by mellow older Italian men, you take notice when a session starts with a vibrant young woman.  So was the case with the Youth Food Movement session.  It was in the last slot before the closing ceremonies, and I always love when they save the best for last.

So what exactly is it?  The Youth Food Movement was started in part by a University of Gastronomic Sciences grad, who realized that the future of the movement is in connecting with, educating, and empowering youth (rather that creating an elitist eating club for adults . . . a false, but frequent, assumption about Slow Food).

They hooked me when they said what fueled them was too many jaded adults indicating, "the world is going to change you before you can change the world."  That sounds like a challenge. 

So they've gotten together to make a stand.  There are several chapters around the world, each tackling the issues from their respective areas by bringing youth together in various ways, the most effective of which, has been their "Eat-Ins".  Developed as a socio-political communications tool, each eat-in brings together dozens (if not hundreds) of youth who share good, clean, and fair food together in a public setting, as a means for demanding it as a universal right for everyone.

It's a start.  And I am sure there are plenty of you out there who have ideas to contribute to make it more of a success and do more good things for the food community.  Whether you do it with the Youth Food Movement, at your university, or with a small group of friends, the important thing is that you do something, share something, and enjoy good food with good people.  Then we'll all make a huge amount of collective progress.

See more about what's happened on American soil with the Youth Food Movement Eat-Ins.

---

TOUR de VERMONT
Green Mountain College, UVM, and Middlebury

Speaking of youth food movements, we just returned from a 3 day whilrwind tour of Vermont, speaking to and with students at various colleges to understand their interest in food and encourage them to get involved.

Some highlights:

GREEN MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
Fortunately for us, we weren't lecturing the whole time; we actually had the opportunity to learn from the students.  In the Sustainable Farming Systems class led by Philip Ackerman-Leist, we watched video-based farm profiles produced by the students. If you want to check out the 2009 ouput, you can find them here. 

But class was not the most impressive part.  As always we're swayed with good food, conversation, and company.  Thanks to everyone involved for the potluck at the Farm House; were still dreaming of those sunchokes and excited to visit Cerridwen Farm when it's not snowing.

And to take with us on the road, we snagged copies of Philip's book Up Tunket Road: The Education of a Modern Homesteader, because we're firm believers there's a lot that you can learn outside of the classroom, too.

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
Back in Burlington we spoke in several classes, and also had the opportunity to sit-in on lectures and and student presentations.  Thanks to Ernesto Mendez and his Advanced Agro-Ecology class, as well as Amy Trubek and her Food & Culture class for letting us partake in their student presentations.

MIDDLEBURY
After prodding students to be proactive in their search for good food jobs, it's only fair that we take our own advice.  We made it a mission to meet an idol of ours, Bill McKibben - professor, activist, and author - while on the Middlebury campus.  Fortunately our persistence paid off, and it was a pleasure and honor to "bump into" Bill and plot about ways to change the world for good.

In case you aren't yet a fan of Bill, be sure to check out his work or get involved at 350.org

And a huge thank you to Tracy Himmel Isham of the Career Services center, as well as Ben and Amanda, the co-directors of the Middlebury Campus Organic Garden.  We're inspired to see that despite the fact that there are no direct food-related majors at the school, there's a thriving sustainable food culture.

---

THE GASTRO.GNOMES BLOG

Alice Varon
Eecutive Director
Certified Naturally Grown



Follow our weekly blog profiles at goodfoodjobs.com/blog.

---

GOOD FOOD JOB HIGHLIGHTS
Week of 10.26.10 - 10.31.10

Designed to give you just a taste . . . see the full website for additional details.

COMMUNICATIONS & RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
Chez Panisse Foundation
Berkeley, CA

Starting off in the food world?  Might as well start at the top.  Work with the Director of Communications at Alice Water's famed Chez Panisse restaurant and foundation.  It's worth it for the free lunch alone.

GRASS-FED CATTLE MANAGER
Foxhollow Farm
Crestwood, KY

Yes, you'll be managing a herd of 220 cattle, but you'll also be managing folks working on the farm, helping prepare the farm budget, and coordinating with the marketing and sales team.  For those equally interested in business and biodynamics.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sylvester Manor Educational Farm
Shelter Island, NY

Be a part of the legacy.  This largely intact northern plantation has been managed by the same famility for 15 generations.  After experimenting with farm outreach and awareness through a CSA program, educational classes, and volunteer days, they've set up a non-profit to encourage meaningful connections between people, culture, and place.  They're looking for a dynamic leader to spearhead the operation.  Could be you.

See more good food jobs at goodfoodjobs.com