About this Event
**PLEASE READ THE COVID GUIDELINES BELOW**
Black Urban Growers (BUGs) and our partners are pleased to present the 10th Annual Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners (BUGS) Conference, convening urban and rural farmers, students, chefs, food product makers, herbalists, nutritionists, consumers, policymakers, educators, activists and organizations from across the country!
Reunion, Recovery and Resilience: Preserving Black Land and Reclaiming Self-Determination is the theme of this year’s conference. Through engaging and participatory workshops, panel discussions and networking events, we will once again explore the Southern roots of Black Agriculture and its connections and influence on today’s movements for Black food sovereignty. The conference will also provide hands-on, skill-building workshops on sustainable agriculture education including soil health, land reclamation, financial literacy, seeds saving, and other related topics. The 10th annual conference will be held at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 14 -16, 2022.
----------------------------------------------------
On Friday night, October 14th, the local host committee will provide urban farm tours in Atlanta metro and surrounding area. Friday evening, conference attendees will attend a welcoming reception held at Atlantucky, a black brewery owned by famous 90's Hip Hop artist, Nappy Roots.
On Saturday, October 15, conference attendees will participate in keynote panel discussions; a comprehensive line-up of workshops and a vendor marketplace will be held featuring products and services contributing to the health, wellness, and prosperity of Black people. {See below the exciting lineup of keynote panelists!} On Saturday evening, conference attendees will attend a Southern Moonlight Festival and Party.
On Sunday, October 16, the conference will close with break out sessions focused on local and national post-conference organizing efforts.
-----------------
Dr. Gail Myers - Opening Keynote Speaker (in-person). Cultural Anthropologist; Co-founder of Farms to Grow Inc; Filmmaker
Stephen Satterfield - Closing Keynote Speaker (in-person). Host of Netflix’s High on the Hog; Founder, Whetstone Magazine.
Matthew Raiford - Panelist, Keynote Black Culinary Discussion (In-person). James Beard nominated chef and farmer; Author of Bress and Nyam; Gillard Farm located in Brunswick, GA
And a fire chat conversation with Shirley Sherrod (in-person) - National civil rights figure, advocate and global thought leader on U.S. agriculture policy and its impact on Black farmers and the Black community. Member, Biden Administration’s USDA Equity Commission
Video remarks from Dr. Jessica B. Harris - New York Times Author of High on the Hog; American culinary historian, college professor, cookbook author and journalist
Video remarks from Natalie Baszile - Author of the novel turned OWN's television series, Queen Sugar and the recent book We’re Each Other’s Harvest.
----------------------------
PLEASE READ! COVID Guidelines at the BUGs National Conference 2022
We are thrilled to be returning to an in-person gathering for the 10th Annual Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference on October 14-16, 2022 at Georgia State University. BUGs is excited to be able to bring our community together again after a two year hiatus. In-person events in a COVID era present unique challenges that we are collectively, as a society, still figuring out together. BUGs is committed to producing a safe and healthy event, with the understanding that there is no way to eliminate all risk and attendees are participating at their own risk. At all BUGs events, the health and safety of our attendees is our main priority, and because of this we will continue to implement policies and protocols based on state/local health guidelines and public health recommendations as we prepare for the conference. As the COVID-19 situation continues to be one that is constantly changing, we will continue to assess the evolving public health guidance regarding large gatherings and adapt accordingly. We encourage every individual to make informed decisions about attending our events in the best interest of their own health as well as the health of others. BUGs will be adhering to the following protocols to keep our entire community safe and healthy.
BUGS COVID19 Protocol
What inspires us, and what BUGs has always been about, is building networks and community together at each year’s conference. Taking appropriate precautions is a simple way to put this ethic into action. We respectfully ask that all attendees commit to caring for themselves and each other by following the protocols laid out here.
MASK REQUIRED AT THE BUGS CONFERENCE
Masking remains a fundamental tool in reducing airborne transmission of disease. Masks will be required in all BUGs meeting spaces (conference and events.) ( Exception might be made for the Saturday outdoor festival. We will keep you posted re: Saturday festival.) We ask that attendees wear high quality (N95 masks preferred) within these venues. Masks will be provided on-site if necessary. We ask that you be courteous to others and wear your mask properly. Speakers will have the option to remove their masks during their presentations if they choose to do so.
Symptom Screening
We ask that all attendees screen themselves for symptoms daily and NOT ATTEND THE EVENT if any symptoms are present. If you have access to a home COVID test, we recommend you take one prior to attending the event. If possible, please bring 1-2 home COVID test so that you can
It is important to be clear that BUGs is unable to eliminate risk, even in the best of circumstances, and obviously conditions out of our control are very dynamic. By attending this event, you are accepting the responsibility and risk that goes with participating in an indoor event during this time.
Color coded bracelets to show your comfort level of personal space and interactions
At registration, BUGs will be providing color coded bracelets to conference attendees. Each color will designate your level of comfort with personal space and interaction with other guests.
---------------------------
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Last day for a full refund is Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022
No-shows will not be refunded for any reason. No exceptions.
We do not give credit toward the following year’s conference.
BUGs reserves the right to refuse service or ask conference guests to leave the conference.
Registrants are expected to have read and be in compliance with the BUGs Conference COVID Protocols prior to arriving at the venue. No refunds will be issued for lack of compliance with the venue policy and conference protocols.
----------------------
More information about Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference (BUGS):
Since 2010 we’ve been creating a space for urban and rural farmers, food justice activists, chefs, educators, policy makers and everyday citizens to come together and share innovative ideas, projects, and best practices for reclaiming and reshaping our community food systems.
For more information about the Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference, including the conference schedule, workshops, volunteer opportunities, lodging information and sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please send an email to [email protected] or check out our website.
For the *most updated* information on the BUGs National Conference 2022, please make sure to follow us on Facebook at Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference.
For further questions, please send an email to [email protected] or send a direct message via our facebook page. Click here for Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blackfarmerconf
Thank you for joining us and helping to make the 10th annual Black Farmers & Urban National Gardeners Conference an empowering, transformative and successful experience!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Georgia State University, 55 Gilmer Street, Atlanta, United States
USD 5.00 to USD 150.00