Convenings
Why do we gather?
Convening diverse community food systems non-profit and community leaders has been the founding purpose of the Oregon Community Food System Network (OCFSN) since before its founding in 2015.
Early convenings were an opportunity for participants to meet and share information about local and regional food systems. Folks quickly recognized the benefits of peer-to-peer networking, shared learning, and collaboration.
Now, as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to bring people and organizations together to broaden understanding of issues, build relationships and trust, develop common purpose, and create collective capacity to realize a shared vision, OCFSN continues the tradition of hosting purposeful, equitable, and impactful convenings.
After years of successful gatherings, OCFSN annual convenings pivoted to digital during the pandemic. Utilizing online platforms allowed for continued coordinated food systems conversations, but interpersonal connections suffered.
Thankfully, convenings are returning in person in 2022 with regional gatherings across Oregon for community food systems non-profit and community leaders to connect in place and work towards impactful collaborative work. Returning in 2023 will be OCFSN’s first full network convening since the pandemic.
How do we gather?
Virtual: regular Working Group specific meetings, Mini-Convenings (2 hour focused sessions on specific topics, full network)
In-person: Regional Gatherings, Full-Network Gatherings
Register for OCFSN Gatherings
What People Are Sharing
“The point of the Convening is to gather us together in one place to learn from each other and become stronger. Once you leave, those relationships and the learning don’t end because there are shared goals of why we’re all there and a shared understanding that we’re going to leave there continuing to work together. It’s not just about coming together for a short period of time. It’s about building a statewide movement for a better food system.”
— Lauren Lubowicki , CSA Partnerships for Health (Zenger Farm)
“Another thing I remember at the first Convening-- it was really nice to hear success stories. The work that most of us are doing on a day to day sense can feel really overwhelming, so it’s really helpful be able to see actual examples of projects that have netted really great outcomes, even if it took a decade. Or like, those people have a cooking program, I talked to them about what went well and what didn’t. Seeing best practices is so helpful.”
— Jessika Tantisook, North Coast Food Web
“The cross sector perspective that OCFSN brings is huge as well. RFC works in and inhabits a very particular space in the food system. We work on BFR and farmland preservation work, which is just a corner of the pie. We need that connection to food access and food justice, the health care realm and all the other elements that our diverse membership represents. We’re a little bit within our own little silo just doing our thing, so I think it is really helpful to connect with those other realms.”
— Stu O’neill, Rogue Farm Corps
“In regards to the event (Portland Gathering), I loved that it existed in the first place. I've had so few opportunities to connect to other leaders in this sector in the last 2 years, that it was a breath of fresh air.”
— Michelle Welton, Grow Portland
“I felt refreshed and refueled after. Working on the local level or in your silo/lane, it's great to meet up and see the statewide region-wide efforts. There’s probably someone in the group facing a similar issue or with some perspective that you need. Those conversations don’t always translate to zoom meetings.”
— 2022 Central Oregon Regional Gathering Attendee