Attendance: Shannon Caravello, Olympia Gibson, Tanzina Ahmed, Tommy Mintz, Mimi Fierle.

Due to COVID 19 and campus closures, the meeting was held via BB Collaborate. The name change from Farm FIG to Farm, Food, & Health FIG was discussed as a way to open up the topic to other related areas and attract more members. Members discussed how they would like to talk more about opportunities for sharing and discussing research ideas and opportunities. We had decided to set up a meeting aside from the FIG that may be beneficial for those on campus engaged in food studies and agricultural research. The date is TBD and the main members interested were Shannon and Tanzina. Other members wanted to discuss more information on sharing resources with students as well as how to get started on starting seeds and growing in their own homes, especially during these times of social isolation. Members also engaged in conversation about food access and shared what they were making at home. A discussion concerning people needing to learn shopping and cooking skills and how many people have lost touch with their roots through modern conveniences took place as well.

It was decided that our next online session on May 6th would be about home seed starting and growing as that would be fun and relaxing for members in this unprecedented time. Shannon uploaded a large amount of material to the shared DropBox for this activity and she also shared the Dropbox access with the new members. Members also discussed possibly hosting a Netflix Party with a movie screening for faculty and staff this semester. Shannon called for movie suggestions by May 6th and will go ahead and finalize details on May 6th. Tanzina also shared her most recent research outcomes with the FIG via email afterward that looked at Food Insecurity.

At this first session of the semester Glenda shared that there are paid student aide positions available at the Farm and faculty are urged to spread the word within all classes. Maya shared that there is also a Food Educator Intern position available as well and that will involve cooking demos. Maya also shared that there is a new initiative called Breezeway Bites featuring healthy snacks and the upcoming dates are April 15th and May 6th. Glenda also shared the Farm staff’s involvement in the food insecurity research being conducted by Professor Tanzina Ahmed.
Students who volunteer this semester also may be able to earn a service learning certificate if they are unable to receive civic engagement credit since CE credits are currently under review/modification.
It was announced that there is an upcoming Greenthumb Grow Together conference on May 30th at the Graduate Center.
The Farm staff and student aides and volunteers will be involved in the following upcoming campus wide events including the Student Wellness Festival and Ecofest. On April 16th there will be a seed starting workshop and on May 16th there will be a compost give away. There is also a new Continuing Education Course entitled “Gardening for Food Justice” being offered at the Farm
Its was decided by the group that the next FIG meeting would be The Seed Starting Workshop on April 16th. All are encouraged to attend and to spread the word to faculty, staff and students.