Local Economies Our Future

Our congregation is connected with The Green Interfaith Network. We will begin our Fall series Sunday. Here is an article about it in the Johnson City Press.

The Green Interfaith Network will host Anthony Flaccavento as its monthly speaker Sept. 18 from 4-6 p.m. at Milligan College.

Flaccavento is a consultant, activist , organic farmer and author who has written, consulted and farmed his Flaccavento ideas and determination for a just and sustainable world.

Whether in the fields farming or as a much sought after speaker, Flaccavento is committed to steering the country and communities to be progressive and open minded. Flaccavento has stated that the nation needs to counteract current political and “lessons learned” practices and connect with reason and the morality that have come from faith-based traditions.

According to a release, Flaccavento said the emergence of local economies and the rapidly growing food movement will help bring communities together and will also help people engage across a broad political spectrum.

“We need to spend less time trying to change people’s hearts and minds with our words, instead create the opportunities for folks to act into a new way of thinking,” he said.

Flaccavento has 25 years of experience in sustainable community development. He has been a certified organic produce farmer for the past 15 years, during which time he also founded and directed Appalachian Sustainable Development. He is the author of “Healthy Food Systems: A Tool Kit for building Value Chains” and more than 100 published articles.

Flaccavento was the director of the Appalachian Office of Justice and Peace for the Catholic Diocese based in St Paul, Va., from 1985-95.

His presentation is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served and a question-and answer session will be held.

Listen to Mr. Flaccavento from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, September 18th, at Derthick Hall on Milligan College Campus.