Today RIC was filled with lots of learning, through outstanding presentations from the youth.  Topics ranged from growing tomatoes upside down in recycled plastic liter-sized bottles to how to grow tomatoes in the Arizona desert; and from youth advocating for healthy change to a critical analysis of the food system.  The power of youth learning from their peers is palpaple in the workshop sessions, as youth listened intently and demonstrated their new knowledge and skills.

Cultivating Community, a sustainable communities program in Portland, Maine, uses an urban sustainable agriculture program to grow product that they distribute to elders and other folks needing healthy food.  Cultivating Community hosted afternoon sessions at several of their sites.  One group went to muck animal stalls at the Turkey Hill farm.  Another went to the Knox Street garden to help with infrastructure.  A third group picked sour cherries at the Knox Street gardent and put them up as jam at the Local Sprouts Cooperative in Portland. 

The day concluded with a great burrito dinner and separate youth and adult breakout sessions intended to contribute to our strategic visioning process.