Keep It Local

Growing the Circularity of the Shiawassee Food System 

Nov. 17th, 2022 at NCG Cinema Owosso

This free event will feature the 45 minute version of the Netflix documentary film Kiss The Ground by Josh and Rebecca Tickell.

Free Screening Made Possible by
Grant Funding for our Community
Special Thanks to VOICE Mini Grant and ROCO Films

Each screening is followed by a panel discussion featuring local and state experts sharing their stories on innovations in food and agriculture and share opportunities in which Shiawassee residents can participate.

Food tastings will be included with guest admission to be enjoyed while networking in the lobby exhibitor space.

Seating is limited, guests must register, please select the screening you would like to attend by registering through the links below.

• 1:00 – 3:00 PM – Kiss The Ground ; Screening #1
  • Panel Discussion:  “Mining Our Local Waste – Economic Opportunities in Recycling, Composting, & Closed Loop Systems”
    • Bryan Marks of Great Lakes Fusion, Vernon MI – Local waste management expert leading the effort to stand up county wide recycling collection in Shiawassee County and invest in a material collection facility in partnership with Shiawassee Health and Wellness.
    • Brad Morgan President/CEO of Morgan Composting, the makers of DAIRY DOO, Sears MI – DAIRY DOO provides sustainable, organic compost, fertilizers, and potting soils for homeowners and farmers. For more than 25 years the company has strived to be an innovative provider of economical and healthy soil products for whatever customers want to grow.
    • Terry Link of Greater Laingsburg Recyclers – Volunteer organization of over 34 years who recently built a drop off recycling facility that accepts many hard-to-recycle items discussing how individuals can join together to make a positive impact in their community.

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Kiss The Ground ; Screening #2
  • Panel Discussion: “Diversifying Food Systems to Restore Soil and Feed Communities – How Small to Medium Size Farms are Seizing the Regionalization of Food Production”
    • Farmer Jones, Huron OH – Farmer Jones Farm is part of The Chef’s Garden, which was started by the Jones family more than 30 years ago along the shores of Lake Erie. They regeneratively farm the highest quality vegetables, herbs, and microgreens and supply some of the world’s finest chefs.
    • Kelly McClelland of MSU Extension – Educator with Community food system network of Genesee County where she supported Edible Flint that supports community residents in growing and accessing healthy food in order to reconnect with the land and each other.
    • Dan McMaster is a seventh generation Clinton County farmer who has spent his whole life connected to the land and what it provides. He currently operates a retail/wholesale herb, flower, vegetable, and microgreen operation with his father on the family’s centennial farm in Laingsburg, Michigan. In addition, he serves as the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office Jail Garden Manager in Corunna. Both operations use regenerative agricultural practices passed down from previous generations. His family knows the importance of working with nature and not against it.
    • Justin Morgan of Morgan Composting, Sears MI, speaking on how their soil consultants are working with Michigan large scale farmers to create custom compost recipes to restore soils that lead to a reduction of chemical inputs and greater yields.

• 6:00 – 8:00 PM – Kiss The Ground Screening #3 (45 minutes)
  • Panel Discussion: “Building the Local Food Supply to Satisfy Growing Demand – How Local Systems Can Meet the Shifting Demands of Restaurants and Communities”
    •  Tony Vu of MaMang in Flint, The Good Bowl in Traverse City, & the food incubator Flint Social Club – Serial entrepreneur developing programs to lower barriers to new food entrepreneurs by offering business support and mentorship.
    • Danielle Wendling of Memorial Healthcare, Owosso MI – Dietician and NOW Facility Executive Director to speak on the health benefits of eating fresh and local resources to support a healthier lifestyle
    • Alec Faber of Fortitude Farms and Events – Our farming lifestyle started in 2019 with a half-acre pumpkin patch. We learned a lot from the small patch and decided it was something we wanted to do, only more. 2020, the year of Covid-19, we focused on utilizing more of the land and changed our name to Fortitude Farms & Events. We increased our patch size to 13 acres, adding more pumpkins, squash, wildflowers, sunflowers, and decorative corn. We also planted an 8-acre corn maze. I take pride in the land and what/how we evolve.

 (*pending confirmation)

Event Exhibitors:

• Morgan Composting, makers of DAIRY DOO
• MSU Extension – Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses.
• Market Wagon – Your online farmer’s market that delivers with a mission to enable food producers to thrive in their local and regional markets.
• Shiawassee Conservation District – work hand-in-hand with local, state and federal organizations to conserve our natural resources and to deliver technical assistance that directly impacts the quality of our community.
• Friends of the Shiawassee River – The mission of the Friends of the Shiawassee River is to Care, by maintaining and improving the health of the river; Share, by enhancing the community’s appreciation and knowledge of the river; and Enjoy, by increasing recreational access and responsible use of the river. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

This event is hosted by the
Raise UP Shiawassee Program in partnership with the Cook Family Foundation, Shiawassee Community Foundation, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce and The United Way of Genesee County.