The Center for Environmental Farming Systems to Host Lecture by Food Justice Advocate Maya Wiley

RALEIGH (January 25, 2013): The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and the NC Agricultural Foundation Inc., are proud to announce that Maya Wiley will deliver CEFS’ Annual Sustainable Agriculture Lecture on February 27 at 7 pm at the Durham Armory (220 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701). Ms. Wiley will present a free lecture entitled “Unmasking Inequities: Building Toward a More Just Food System for All!”. 

“Ms. Wiley’s lecture promises to be stimulating and thought-provoking.  We hope that it will spark further dialogue around food justice and creating equitable and fair food systems accessible by all North Carolinians,” said Nancy Creamer, CEFS Director from NC State University.  John O’Sullivan, CEFS Director from NC A&T State University, added, “We are looking to stimulate greater engagement in the resurrection of a local food system inclusive of people of color – as producers, in value-adding, careers for youth, and in discussions of the best paths to follow to achieve equity and fairness in the food system”.

Maya Wiley is the Founder and President of the Center for Social Inclusion, a national public policy strategy organization that works to unite public policy research and grassroots advocacy to transform structural racial inequity into structural fairness and inclusion. Ms. Wiley graduated from Columbia University School of Law in 1989 and is a frequent speaker on the national stage and author of many influential policy articles.

In addition to the Lecture, other associated events will include a “meet-the-speaker” Friends of CEFS reception just prior to the Lecture, a high school speaking engagement and community luncheon in Goldsboro, a food justice leadership dinner, and a dialogue with faculty, administrators, and students at NC A&T SU in Greensboro, NC. Compass Group is a sponsor of the lecture and associated events.

Says Ms. Wiley, “We all need to eat and we all need that food to be healthy. We aren’t there yet, as a nation. We need to talk about how small family farms can be viable businesses that supply healthy food, and we also need to link farming to jobs that pay workers of all races a wage that ensures that they can buy what they help produce, no matter their race.”

The CEFS Sustainable Agriculture Lecture series has traditionally featured dynamic and world-renowned thinkers and doers including Carlo Petrini, founder of the international Slow Food organization; Judy Wicks, co-founder of Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE); Will Allen, MacArthur Genius Award recipient and founder of Growing Power, Inc.; and USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan.

Admission to the lecture is free. Seats will be available the night of the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to guarantee your seats!