Panel discussion - Local food systems and the people who create them

Join us at CCF in the Barn to listen to the thoughts of industry experts, from across the supply chain, as they discuss connecting with where our food comes from, to learn more about the pleasures, anecdotes and challenges facing them as they strive to provide the best possible product for consumers in an ethical and conscious manner. The panel will be moderated by Chris Williams and will also include a selection of light refreshments after the talk for networking and conversation. Speakers include:

Rachel Rubenstein (She/Her)
Rachel at CERES Honey Lane and Joe's Market Garden as the Market Garden Manager. She is committed to sharing her passion for agriculture through education and inspiring city dwellers to delve into the world of farming.@ceresjoesmarketgarden @ceresbrunswic

Thuch Ajak
Thuch is the co-founder of the United African Farm is community-based farming initiative, with the aim of bridging the inter-generational and cultural gap within its community, through adopting the farming model, market showcase, capacity building and cultural excursion within the community. Our farm is located in Cardinia in the South East of Melbourne.

Rachel Freeman (She/Her) and Natalie Williams (She/Her)
Rach and Nat head Collingwood Children's Farm's the horticulture and animal husbandary teams, respectiveley.

Dr Chris Williams, moderator
Chris lectures in urban horticulture at the Burnley Campus of the University of Melbourne where he specialises in urban agriculture. He developed the Novel Crops Project in 2014 which works to bring new or unusual edible species into cultivation, with an emphasis on perennial plants of high aesthetic value and with links to migrant communities. Through the Novel Crops Project, Chris and his students have worked with; FareShare, City of Yarra, City of Greater Dandenong, YMCA, 3000 Acres and the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre. Chris has enthusiastically educated and support students in there horticultural careers for years creating a community of knowledge and expertise that drives the urban agriculture community in Melbourne.