LFS Today Apr 19, 2021

UBC Farm celebrates 20 years, and the CSFS turns 10!

UBC Farm will be launching celebrations on April 21, 2021, for the 20th anniversary of the UBC Farm and the 10th of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems.

It’s been 20 years since students started selling produce at the first UBC Farm Market. The UBC Farm has grown and thrived since then thanks to the students, faculty and staff who launched the petition and gathered for the Great Farm Trek in 2009 to demonstrate the need for a dedicated site for food systems learning, research, and food cultivation at UBC, leading to the saving of the Farm and the creation of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems in 2011.

Stay tuned throughout the growing season as we share archival photos, special merchandise, a new limited podcast series, video interviews and more.

LFS Virtual Townhall – Wednesday’s presenters from UBC IO

At our LFS Virtual Townhall this Wednesday (1:00pm), guests Shelley Ball, Director of Investigations & Kristen Reeve, Investigator, will talk about the services offered by UBC’s Investigations Office (IO). If you are joining, they invite you to view their presentation in advance – posted here. Learn about the role of their office in investigating sexual misconduct and discrimination complaints.

To submit questions in advance or during the Townhall, please use Slido:

1. Go to the website www.slido.com;
2. Enter event code UBCLFS to post a question or vote for an existing one.

If you need the Zoom meeting link, contact Karen at karen.lee98@ubc.ca.

LFS in the News

Undergraduate student Rachel Chan had a letter published in the South China Morning Post. Acknowledging the link between human and planetary well-being, she calls on the private and public sectors to collaborate in order to tackle the twin crises of the environment and the pandemic. The letter appeared online April 17.

COVID-19 lockdowns improved air quality in some cities, shedding light on how to curb pollution – The Conversation opinion piece written by Frederik Noack, Raahil Madhok and Dominic Rohner (Universite de Lausanne), appeared in the National Post.

Calls for Proposals: UBC Anti-Asian Racism Initiatives Fund

Faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for funds in support of anti-racism initiatives. Funds may be used to host speakers, showcase cultural performances, and/or celebrate cultural months. Apply by May 31.

North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, Virtual Conference – June 21-24

The 2021 NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Virtual Annual Conference will feature five unique and engaging workshops throughout the online conference. One of their first-time workshops is Comfortability with Uncomfortable Spaces: Creating Spaces for Critical Transformative Dialogues.

Comfortability with Uncomfortable Spaces: Creating Spaces for Critical Transformative Dialogues
Presenters: Jarred Shellhouse and Cecilia Suarez – University of Florida
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM EDT

Diversity in students and perspective has been a growing focus in agricultural education. As agriculture is becoming more diverse and in need of a culturally inclusive workforce, it is important for educators to provide learning opportunities for undergraduate students, preparing to enter the workforce, that help to raise overall cultural awareness and foster better attitudes toward different cultures. However, the topic of diversity can be an uncomfortable discussion causing students to stay silent rather than engaging in dialogue. This session will focus on creating an open space conducive to critical conversations by not only recognizing the lack of comfort, but learning how to navigate and embrace it so students can have an impactful learning experience.

For full conference information, click here.