Last year, we had the pleasure of helping design and facilitate the launch of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network, working in collaboration with Curtis Ogden of the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. During the past year, over 150 organizations have been meeting to advance the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan and to strengthen Vermont’s food system in a network designed for high impact change. This fall, we will again help plan and facilitate the annual network gathering to help the Network learn and adjust, reenergize, and plan for the year ahead.

It is encouraging to see the growth of systems-change and network-building work focused on food systems. It is an honor to work with the VT Farm to Plate Network, as a leading example of using a network approach to strengthen a regional food system. The first-ever Food Systems Summit was held at University of Vermont this summer and this article summarizes some high points, emphasizing “the need to invest in long-term solutions to food systems, as well as the next generation of food systems advocates, rebels, and change agents (through programs like UVM’s Breakthrough Leaders), to ensure long-term change and success.”