Of Land and Local Speaker Series begins Oct. 24

Burlington City Arts is pleased to announce a speaker series associated with the second annual state-wide contemporary exhibition Of Land and Local 2014. The series will take place at Shelburne Farms on Oct. 24 and 25 and at The BCA Center in Burlington on Nov. 6. The series will feature several speakers prominent in the Vermont food system and will explore food systems, ecology, food traditions and much more.

Local in a Global Food System: Friday, Oct. 24, 5:30 to 7:30pm

Vermont is known world-wide for our strong local food system, yet historically and even today we rely on outside markets to feed our small population and sustain our food businesses. So what does local really mean to our food producers of yesterday and today and what are their strategies for accessing both local and global markets to ensure the success of their companies?

Speakers include:

Roger Allbee, Former VT Secretary of Agriculture and current CEO Grace Cottage

Mateo Kehler, Cellars at Jasper Hill

Sean Buchanan, Black River Produce

Jack Lazor, Butterworks Farm

Taste of the Lake Reception: Saturday, Oct. 25, 4:30 to 6:30pm

Local fish on Vermont restaurant menus is not something we see every day but Lake Champlain International and Vermont Fresh Network are hoping to change that. Come hear about the work this partnership is doing to promote the bounty of our lake and enjoy local fish prepared by Chef David Hugo of the Inn at Shelburne Farms and Chef Doug Paine of Juniper at Hotel Vermont.

Speakers include:

James Ehlers, Lake Champlain International

Meghan Sheridan, Vermont Fresh Network

Doug Paine, Juniper at Hotel Vermont

David Hugo, Inn at Shelburne Farms

Food Culture in a New Land: Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 to 8pm

Everyone has that favorite dish that was served at the holiday table or family gatherings and often times those dishes are deeply rooted in food culture, passed down from generation to generation. What does food culture mean to us and what happens when populations take root in a new land? Join us to hear historical, modern, and first hand perspectives on how diet and food culture are sustained and adapted by the following speakers:

Keshav Pokhrel, 10th grader at Burlington High School from Nepal

Teresa Mares, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Vermont

Jill Mudgett, Ph.D, Adjunct Faculty at CCV and Johnson State College

More information about the series and exhibition can be found at www.oflandandlocalvt.org.