TERRA MADRE 2010

Terra Madre is one of the food world's premier events, presented by Slow Food International every two years, in Turino, Italy.  This year, our convivium has been honored with the opportunity to send members of our community to participate in these world-changing events. 

Terra Madre is an international network of over 5,000 farmers, food producers, cooks, activists, and educators from 150 countries.  It began, in 2004, as a way for sustainable food producers and farmers to connect, and share their practices with others across the globe. 

TERRA MADRE 2010 PHOTOS

MEET OUR DELEGATE

Potential participants from throughout the world apply to be selected for the privilege of attending this inspiring international gathering. The total number of delegates has been trimmed by 25% this time, so it is wonderful that Slow Food Skagit River Salish Sea has been honored to have a member of our Skagit community accepted as a delegate to attend this year's event. 

Ellen Gray, Co-Chair Good Food Coalition:  Ellen has been the Executive Director of The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network since January 2008. She stepped up to this role from her staff position of Development Coordinator. Ellen currently Chairs the Washington Small Farm Advisory Board, serves on the “Kitchen Cabinet” of Washington State University’s Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and co-chairs the Good Food Coalition.  Ellen has a MMA from the University of Washington and a BA from the University of Vermont. She is a dynamic, articulate, energetic, and seasoned nonprofit professional with diverse hands-on experience and skills. Ellen has a long commitment to advocacy work and more than 25 year’s experience in the non-profit sector. Originally from Vermont, Ellen spent much of her childhood working on either dairy or horse farms. She has a deep appreciation for the challenges facing small farms that are a vital element of a healthy agricultural landscape. As a parent of a 13 year old boy, Ellen has worked for several years to encourage her school district to serve more locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. She has a passionate and personal interest in the farm to school movement.  Her son has participated in the Slow Food in Schools program at Lincoln Elementary School in Mount Vernon Washington. www.wsffn.org

FUNDRAISING REPORT

Our BBQ event was a great success. Thanks to all those who attended. There were well over forty people, and I think they all enjoyed the local food, the convivial atmosphere, and the knowledge that it was also for a good cause. We raised a little over $1,000! We will fund half of Ellen’s air fare to Italy, host a presentation sometime after she returns, and set aside the remainder as seed money for the next Terra Madre delegation.

MORE ABOUT TERRA MADRE

For more information about Terra Madre, please go to the Slow Food USA website.

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/programs/details/bringing_terra_madre_home/

Thank you for your support of Slow Food Skagit River Salish Sea!

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