By Kelly Benoit, Research Analyst
Representing the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, I recently attended the “Resilience and Resistance: Cross-Pollinating Our Food Movements” conference in Portland, Oregon. I joined fellow food system practitioners, policymakers, and farmers to explore how networks support equitable, resilient agriculture.
The event began not in a conference hall but instead along the Columbia River, where I met with local producers and tribal fishers. Over great food and drink, conference attendees heard a wide array of stories, from a producer's journey toward various certifications and creating a biodynamic farm to the importance of tribal fishing rights and use of traditional knowledge. These meetings highlighted that actualizing sustainable food systems starts with our land stewards and that delicious food holds unapparelled power in bringing people together.
Back at the conference, Malik Yakini of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and Rosalinda Guillen of Community to Community Development kicked off the official event and set the tone for the rest of the time in Portland. They spoke of the inspiring work being done in their organization and discussed how, in times of great change, we must build networks of resilience within our communities to create sustainable food systems.
Over two days, sessions brought to light the crucial role that peer networks play in our food systems. A panel on supply-chain equity featured founders of Native Grown & Gathered, Portland Mercado, and Black Food Northwest, who showed how mentorship circles and shared market spaces help entrepreneurs scale. In a hands-on workshop, participants mapped out communities of practice to keep technical assistance and funding circulating among farmers. At the same time, university affinity groups discussed ways that academia can strengthen sustainable food systems through collaborative research, extension programs, and student-led initiatives.
Mohawk Seedkeeper Rowen White closed the conference with an Indigenous seed stewardship keynote. Her stories, ranging from Akwesasne corn ceremonies to intertribal seed exchanges, reminded us that seed networks rely on reciprocity and cultural knowledge. For us at the Swette Center, her message affirmed the value of lifting up seed keepers and traditional ecological expertise alongside our work.
I'm thrilled to translate the knowledge and connections made at the conference into action at ASU: infuse our work with fresh network-building methods, harness the power of deliciousness to unite communities, weave Indigenous wisdom into our programs, and expand our students’ engagement with local food policy. On behalf of the Swette Center, this conference reinforced our commitment to working hand in hand with our partners toward a resilient food system.