What are the reasons behind factory farming? What are “humane,” local and organic animal products, and what are their costs and benefits? Are they the solution to factory farming? Is there an alternative to supporting agribusiness altogether? 

Presenters:

Zaac Chaves, farmer, forager with CT/Westchester Mycological Association, author: Less Harmful Sustenance: How to Avoid Killing Animals in Hungry Times

Calla Wright, Working Families Party

What They’ll  Be Discussing:

Calla: I will explore what the feel-good labels (i.e. free-range, grass-fed, etc.) used to market animal products to caring consumers really mean.

Zaac: I will be sharing information and resources regarding an abundance of invasive edible plant and fungus options which can provide viable options for human caloric fulfillment, while benefiting the environment.

Tools, Skills, and Messages Participants Will Take Home

Calla: Participants will walk away with a better understanding of what all the labels they read on animal products actually mean. After the presentation, they will be more equipped to eat according to their own ethics as opposed to eating based on a marketing strategy.

Zaac: The “No Farms, No Food” slogan forces a dichotomy.  I will be stressed to participants the acknowledgement real and existing alternatives to acquiring food that do require farming or other disruption to habitats.  To the contrary I will be urging people to feed themselves elsewhere, such as through foraging exotic and prevalent species of plants which are disruptive to native environments.

Bios:

Calla Wright is particularly interested in the intersectionalities of social injustices. She holds a BA & MS from The New School. During her studies, she explored the connections between animal agriculture and other forms of institutionalized oppression.

Zaac Chaves coordinates mushroom tours at schools, farms, and animal sanctuary’s.  He authored and will have copies of the pamphlet Least Harmful Sustenance aimed at helping others learn about the edibility of common and invasive plants and fungus.