Friday Oct. 6 / 3pm / Visionary Art Zone 

Presented by the 2017 Visionary Artists of the Convergence, John Hutton and Michael Lott 

In this learn-shop, participants will learn about two major projects funded directly and indirectly by the USDA to explore the notion of undoing racism in the Detroit food system and empowering youth in Madison and Milwaukee to take an active role in their communities in food policy work.

This topic is particularly relevant as much of our work in food justice can benefit from conversations on equity, race and class. This topic is especially related to the theme of building bridges because rather than just focus on the issues or challenges, we will also explore how the work in Detroit and Madison are taking an active approach with our most vulnerable and marginalized citizens. As a teacher and skilled facilitator, this participatory, hands-on learn-shop will build community and shared knowledge while at the same time provide fresh ideas for complex challenges in our food system.

Presented By: Nicodemus Ford

Saturday September 17th | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Yurt

Nicodemus has lived a life of service and has an unwavering commitment to youth and communities. Nicodemus is a co-founder of University Prep High School in Detroit, Michigan. He was hired by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Community Regional Food Systems to explore and identify solutions for food justice in Detroit, Michigan. His work will be published in an upcoming chapter titled, “Undoing Racism in the Detroit Food System,” later this year. Currently, Nicodemus is a garden manager at Oak Park Sol Community Gardens in Sacramento, California and a curriculum consultant with the Michael Fields Agriculture Institute located in Wisconsin. He is also a member of the Sacramento Urban Agriculture Network and a member of the Institute for Urban Agriculture and Nutrition based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is an aspiring farmer, dedicated family man, and deeply connected to the Earth and ancestors.

2016 Convergence Workshop: Food Justice at Work: Madison and Detroit

Wildflower Seed Balls: Creating wildflower seed balls with Circle of Children is a fun, interactive, and educational experience for children of all ages! Children will be invited to come together in a circle and get their hands in the earth as they roll up marble-sized seed balls made of wildflower seeds, compost, clay and water. This activity encourages children to be good stewards of the earth and instills in the hearts and minds of many that we are empowered to change the world through creative and collective action. Just think, together we could reestablish a healthy population of honeybees throughout the west coast, by engaging thousands of children in a movement to plant native wildflowers!

Art Murals: Children of all ages are invited to come paint a collective art mural with Circle of Children! They will be providing the paint, paint brushes, and a large canvas with a design ready to be filled in with all of the colors of the rainbow. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to express themselves creatively!

This youth empowerment workshop invites young people to explore their inherent gifts and how they can develop them to become active leaders for positive change within themselves, their community, and the world at large. It provides an opportunity for youth to come together with open hearts in circle, while encouraging deep listening, heartfelt communication, and sharing of our inner wisdom. This workshop is facilitated by Blackhorse Shasta, youth mentor and founder of the nonprofit organization called Circle of Children.

Presented By: Blackhorse Shasta

See Youth Programming Schedule

Blackhorse Shasta is the founder and executive director of Circle of Children. He has been directing a diverse array of experiential programs for the past 8 years. His work includes community building, volunteer coordinating, program design and development, networking, fundraising and the onsite management of the 60 acres of land on Triangle Lake where Circle of Children has its home. The experiential programs he creates for Circle of Children inspire teens, young adults, parents and teachers to rethink the current paradigms of education.

2016 Convergence Workshop: Gift Economy: Nature’s Economy

2016 Convergence Workshop: Wildflower Seed Balls & Art Mural

And don’t miss Blackhorse Shasta’s and Circle of Children’s amazing contribution to the Kids Village. There will be playful and exciting interactive activities provided for youth, young adults and adults throughout the Convergence. Check out the 2016 Circle of Children and Youth Programming Schedule!