Food System Networks: It’s all about relationships! Christy Gabbard, Local Concepts LLC December 5, 2014

Community Food Systems Engagement Strategist Christy Shi Day Community Food Systems Engagement Strategist Jared Cates Community Mobilizer www.communityfoodstrategies.org

Overview When network works Purpose of a network Example of a network in development Steps to create a network

Food System Conversations Have Quickly Evolved Farmers Markets CSAs Farm to Restaurant Food Hubs Farm to Institution 2000 2014 Processing Centers

The way in which we feed ourselves represents a complex system. Producing Food System Elements & Pressures Disposing Delivering Financial Social/ Cultural Consuming Processing First, I want to briefly talk about the food system. When I say food system, I’m taking about anyone or anything, working or existing in any way that affects the production, distribution, sale, consumption, and disposal of food. This graphic right here shows some of the many intertwined parts that make up the commercial food system. This shows the commercial system of moving food from farm to the plate to disposal. It also shows the pressures on the commercial food system, from financial to political to cultural to environmental. Contextual/ Environmental Political Purchasing Marketing Adapted from Cornell’s “Discovering the Food System” curriculum.

A system, by definition, involves complexity and many, many connections. So, first, when we talk about the food system we are talking about a very complex system. A system where there are many interconnected parts. Like a spider web. Our food system is so complex it even has systems within it. The healthcare system, the prison system, the school system, the food bank system, the university system…even the military system. These are all parts of the food system. So, when you make a change in one part of this system there can be a ripple effect is felt throughout the interconnected parts, just like in a spider web.

There are many diverse food system stakeholders. Elected Officials Chambers of Commerce Restaurant Associations Museums and Historical Associations Farm Service Agency Marketing Groups Soil and Water Conservation Land Trusts Hardware, Feed & Seed Stores Health Practitioners Higher Education Parks and Recreation Distributors Community Gardens Community Foundations Hospitals Cooperative Extension Food Bloggers & Writers Local Farm & Food Orgs Grocery/Convenience Stores Youth Organizations Farm Bureau Educators (K-12) Nature Groups Economic Development Culinary Schools Social Services Watershed Groups Media Tourism The first simply being the amount of stakeholders in the system. Think about it, all of these voices have a role to play in the community food system. People with Networks Faith-Based Organizations Environment/Sustainability Offices Dealer/Packers/Processors Farmers Markets Food Hubs/Aggregators Public Health Local Government Food Banks Community College Planning & Code Enforcement Banks & Funding Agencies Civic Clubs and Organizations Small Business Centers Future Farmers of America Natural Resource Conservation Service School System Nutritionists Waste Management

We often have a limited view of the system. And because we’re each busy filling our own role, busy in our own lives, it can be very hard for individuals, and for institutions like organizations and government, to see a complete view of the entire community food system. Each of us usually talks about our specific piece – like farming or health or access or economic development. Blind Men and the Elephant By John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887)

Solutions are often unknown, because the causes are complex. loss of farmland poverty So, the fact that there are so many parts to this system, and that they are all interconnected together means that complex solutions are needed. Complex solutions to figure out how to align all the many parts of this system, to improve it and to make it as functional, as equitable, and as sustainable as possible. While one group of us is pulling on one piece of the interconnected tangle – someone across the system might be pulling just as hard in the opposite direction on a different piece – and we can inadvertently create MORE difficulty in solving issues because we are working on just the one piece we know. aging farmers poor diet choices

Our default approaches are heavily influenced by hierarchical concepts. Most systems in which we work share an underlying hierarchical premise – from education (working your way up grade-by-grade) to the corporate workplace (where we map the organization as a hierarchical chart). But hierarchical structures do not align with the shape of a complex system. As a result, we often try to solve problems from within our own silos. Small example: one community didn’t participate in a webinar because the extension office didn’t have funds to pay the registration fee. Meanwhile, the public health department didn’t sign up either because they didn’t have the connections to know who to invite. When they later were brought into a room together to talk about food systems, they realized that each had what the other was looking for – extension had the contacts and public health had registration funds. The silos in which they were operating prevented them from knowing enough about the other to realize they could have jointly solved the problem with mutual benefit.

Network approaches are better suited to address the structure of complexity. Aligning ourselves in a more fluid, interconnected way allows us to organize to fit the shape of complexity. So, a network approach to community food system challenges focuses our attention on relationships and help us connect people who haven’t been connected. They actually encourage self-organization so that novel solutions are generated. We have witnessed it in our work with food councils across the Carolinas. Novel solutions have been created simply by creating connections, encouraging stronger relationships. In the previous slide example, had extension and public health been oriented toward connecting with each other around shared results, and been better networked with each other, they would have known collaboration was possible.

A network approach is useful when… 1) The Problem Or Opportunity is Big 2) You Need New Ideas 3) The Solution Is Not Clear 4) You Need Diverse Engagement Much of the following information comes from June Holley’s book, the Network Weaver Handbook. There are currently two cohorts of learning groups, basically book clubs, that have been meeting by phone and internet over the past few months with members of the Community Food Strategies team to discuss sections of the book. Everyone has found the guides, handouts and exercises to be very practical and we highly recommend the book if you would like to learn more about networks and how to become a network weaver. June describes in her book how network approaches are particularly useful in 4 situations. Adopted from the Network Weaver Handbook by June Holley (2012)

Essential elements of a network approach… 1) Encourage Sharing 2) Encourage Inclusion 3) Encourage Experimentation & Reflection So, why do networks matter? It can be difficult to explain why a network approach differs from what groups have already been doing, this is something that members of the the learning groups have experienced. Network approach matters because they tackle complex problems that require ongoing innovation, experimentation, and processes for scaling for successes, unlike organizations and coalitions that are too rigid. Network approach provides the diversity and flexibility to deal with complex problems or situations. Adopted from the Network Weaver Handbook by June Holley (2012)

Action Alignment Connection Transformative Transitional Transactional Time

Chesapeake Foodshed Network Example

CFN Development 2012-2015 Conceived of the idea Determined a need an interest in establishing a network Received funding Hired a network coordinator Took the pulse of the leadership group Established a communication strategy for the Leadership Committee and Network Behavior Network learning – presentation, webinars, panel discussions Establish a Strategic Planning Committee Leadership Committee Retreat to get agreement on network purpose, priorities, frame work, and action items Work on action items: Network Event Broaden participation 2012 2014 2015

Chesapeake Foodshed Network Vision A Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Regional Food System that Supports Strong Communities and a Healthy Bay.  Mission Catalyze connections and collaboration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to enhance and build a sustainable, resilient and inclusive regional food system.

Chesapeake Foodshed Network Work Groups General Network Building: Steering Committee Strategic Planning Work Group Food Access Energy Finance Policy & Regulations Job Creation Environmental Health Steering Committee & Coordinator Production & Processing Aggregation & Distribution Marketing & Education Purchasing Consumption Disposal & Recovery Land Conservation & Access

Transportation Production Aggregation Policy Marketing

Production Production

Policy Production Aggregation Distribution Marketing

Chesapeake Foodshed Network is a dynamic place of relationships, learning, and action. Not set in stone: Network affords and mandates flexibility and responsiveness. Resilient/adaptive. http://www.bridgespan.org/Publications-and-Tools/Revitalizing-Communities/Community-Collaboratives/Guide-Community-Collaborative-Life-Stages.aspx#.VAY2qGSwJQk Discussion on each step of the life stage map included at this site.

Apply a network approach by… Developing Relationships Add formal networking time to each meeting Co-opt an existing gathering to network Expand the types of voices in your group

Apply a network approach by…Building Structural Support Use CFSA or other listservs to share information on a regular basis Encourage identification and sharing of resources, such as skills, money, space, and equipment.

Apply a network approach by… Acting as a Network Weaver LEARN about the interests and needs of individuals and groups in your community. LOOK for opportunities to connect needs and haves. SHARE information, helping people connect with one another directly.

How a Network Can Add Value Strength in numbers Quicker learning curve Encouragement to continue Continuing professional development More collaboration than competition Taking different perspectives given the complexity of the system Each of us taking a piece that can blend into solutions Increasing knowledge of valuable resources Telling and sharing the story; ensuring the story travels Conversations about how we evaluate success and we look at evaluation together Mindset shift that we each have a piece of the answer

Resources Blogs: http://interactioninstitute.org/author/curtis/ Books: Network Weaver Handbook – June Holley Networks that Work – Paul Vandeventer Networks http://www.reamp.org/ http://www.vtfoodatlas.com/network www.foodsolutionsne.org/ www.rifoodcouncil.org Working toward this bold vision requires expansive, inclusive collaboration that addresses the diversity of needs and resources across the region and balances bold aspirations with practical actions. 

? Christy Gabbard, Local Concepts LLC Chesapeake Foodshed Network Christine.gabbard@gmail.com 540-558-8010