The 2009 Rooted in Community National Conference began on Wednesday, July 29, at South Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine, a beautiful campus overlooking Casco Bay.  After a delicious dinner prepared by RIC participants, under the direction of Jonah and the Local Sprouts Cooperative, the opening ceremony included planting a blueberry bush with soil brought to Maine by all the groups attending RIC.  Then The Food Project crew led a process for the participants--some 100 youth and 40 adults--to define the safe space we need to have a productive conference.

On Thursday, July 30, RIC headed out to Lewiston for a field trip at Lots to Gardens, one of the local coordinating organizations.  We broke up into work crews for visits to three gardens and lunch preparation.  Lunch was delicious again.  The day included time for reflection for each of the groups.  Jorge, from Food What?! in Santa Cruz, talked about what the first day meant to him.  He never expected to have the chance to see Maine and to meet so many young people from around the country and around the world, all involved with food justice work.  The experience inspires him to learn and do more.

After reflection there was some free time for basketball, swimming, frisbee and strolling down Lisbon Street.  We returned to South Maine Community College for some swimming time in the beach on Casco Bay, then dinner followed by our first set of workshops, focused on activism and the arts. 

The light rain from last night stopped by morning.  Even the heat and humidity--a new experience for many folks on the East Coast for the first time--did not dampen the enthusiasm of everyone here at RIC.

For more photos go to bit.ly/W4FNt