


For Slow Food USA’s 2023 Winter Leader Summit, we want to bring leaders throughout our network together to workshop skills, troubleshoot, and inspire one another for the upcoming year.
Over the course of one weekend, we’ll be featuring free workshops that will explore marketing and communications, fundraising, network development and EIJ, and food policy. We’re excited not just to directly workshop with you, but to have individuals from the network share tips and tricks from their own experiences to help leaders throughout the network, both new and seasoned. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 10
2023 State of the Snail
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ET
Where is our stateside movement toward good, clean and fair food for all going to take us this year? Find out in this interactive overview of Slow Food USA’s plans for 2023, led by Programs Director Mara Welton and Communications Director Brian Solem. They will lay out the national office’s objectives for the coming year, unveil the organization’s Theory of Change, and invite attendees to weigh in on our direction moving forward.
What’s the Program? An invitation to engage!
6 – 7:30 p.m. ET
What does Slow Food USA have on tap for 2023 in the world of Programs? Come learn about opportunities to engage with Plant A Seed, Slow Fish, Snail of Approval, Slow Books, Cooks’ Alliance and Ark of Taste!
Saturday, Feb. 11
Past, Present and Potential of The Farm Bill: Unfolding the “Swiss Army Knife” of Bills
12-1 p.m. ET
President Obama once called the Farm Bill “the Swiss Army knife” of bills because of the many crucial areas of policy this bill covers, including nutrition, supporting farmers, innovation, infrastructure, research, conservation, and so much more. This 60-minute session presented by Slow Food USA’s Community Farm Bill Organizer Brett Rapkin-Citrenbaum and Lindsey Farrell, Grassroots Coordinator with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, will provide a broad overview of the Farm Bill and provide attendees with a crucial knowledge base about what’s in the bill, how it gets written and passed, and what we can do to advocate for a more just and equitable Farm Bill.
Setting a welcoming table with purpose: Ingredients for great Slow Food events
2 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Hear from network leaders in this conversation about what the essential components are to hold meaningful and convivial Slow Food events. You will leave this session with templates and best practices for your events!
Mythbusting, EIJ-style
4 – 5:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 12
Engaging your community through digital communications
12-1:30 p.m. ET
Join Communications Director Brian Solem, Communications Coordinator Makiah Josephson and a panel of Slow Food USA chapter communications leads to explore 2022 successes and 2023 objectives for connecting with their digital audiences. Attendees will then be able to develop their own communications and marketing objectives, and finally, we’ll explore the newly released Slow Food International brand book.
Friend-raising – Building Community to Achieve Your Fundraising Goal
2 – 3:30 p.m. ET
This session will explore techniques on how direct appeals, outreach to foundations, funders and sponsors, and heartfelt gratitude can build relationships and a road to funding. We will discuss different approaches and best practices to these fundraising initiatives and learn from each other. Please bring your ideas, experience, and questions!