What role do food production and food waste play in climate change? Maine’s producers are creating systems to make local agriculture more climate-positive, while Food Rescue Maine, gleaning programs, and others work to end wasted food in Maine. Start the new year with resolve and action! Learn how YOU can make a difference on these urgent issues.

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Our Moderator for the series is Tim Glidden, recently retired from serving as President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust since 2011. Prior to that, he led the Land for Maine’s Future program and has been active on the environmental scene in Maine since 1983.

What’s on Your Dinner Plate? Speakers:

Nick Whatley, President of Morningstar Stone and Tile, spends most of his time these days pursuing his passion for sustainability and agriculture at Whatley Farm – an organic, no-till, organic family farm located near the Cathance River’s Head of Tide in Topsham, Maine. They grow organic vegetables, seed garlic, herbs, fruits, pork, and duck eggs.

Michael Dennett farms at Crescent Run Farm in Jefferson, ME. One of his climate-friendly innovations is grazing sheep around solar arrays as an alternative to mowing. 

Susanne Lee leads the Mitchell Center project, Food Waste Management: Empowering Maine Businesses Toward Sustainability, identifying sustainable food waste solutions for Maine businesses.

Julia Nelson is the Gleaning Coordinator for Merrymeeting Gleaners, a program of Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. The Gleaners harvest surplus food from local farm partners year round and redistribute it to over 30 organizations in the region that support individuals and families experiencing food-insecurity. 

The Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT) are co-sponsoring a six-part weekly series on climate in January and February. The goal of this series is to inspire people to:

• Take action to slow and hopefully reverse climate change
• Actively support efforts to address climate change at all levels (public, private, local, state, federal)
• Talk to friends, family, and others about climate solutions.

2022 Taking Action on Climate Virtual Sessions:

Session 1: Climate Inaction and Disinformation | January 6, 2022

Session 2: Maine Won’t Wait | January 13, 2022

Session 3: What’s On Your Dinner Plate? | January 20, 2022

Session 4: Do Something! | January 27, 2022

Session 5: Subtraction is Action! | February 3, 2022

Session 6: Building Resilience in Challenging Times | February 17, 2022