Building Resilient Food Systems at the PASA Sustainability Agriculture Conference

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Conference

In February, Bernard Sekey and Dr. Laura Livingston, had the opportunity to present at the PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Lancaster—an experience that quickly became one of the highlights of my season.

What made it especially meaningful was that I wasn’t standing there alone. I was joined by two incredible farmers from the Communities of Practice (CoPs) I coordinate—one representing our Multi-Farm Produce Aggregation (MFPA) group and the other from our Seedkeeping group. Their presence brought depth, honesty, and lived experience to the space. I was also supported every step of the way by Dr. Laura Livingston, Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Principal Investigator on the NE SARE grant, whose guidance continues to shape and strengthen this work.

Together, we shared the story of what we’ve been cultivating over the past year—not just programs, but spaces. Spaces where farmers can gather, exchange knowledge, ask questions, and imagine new possibilities. Through MFPA, we’ve been working to coordinate crop production and aggregation across small and urban farms, creating stronger pathways to market access. Through Seedkeeping, we’ve been nurturing something equally vital: the preservation of knowledge, the rebuilding of confidence around seed saving, and the creation of a space deeply rooted in culture, identity, and community.

Bernard posing at a Farm High Tunnel. (Courtesy of Bernard Sekey)

But the heart of the session belonged to the farmers. They spoke candidly about their journeys—what they’ve learned, where they’ve struggled, and how these communities have shaped their practices and perspectives. Their voices grounded the conversation in reality, reminding everyone in the room that this work is as complex as it is hopeful.

One of the most powerful takeaways was a reminder that while funding and formal programming matter, they are not what sustain this work. It is relationships—built on trust, consistency, and shared ownership—that allow these communities to take root and continue growing beyond any single season or grant cycle.

For me, presenting at PASA was more than an opportunity to share updates. It was a moment to pause, reflect, and feel proud of what we’ve built together. To see this work resonate with others—and to stand among so many people committed to building resilient, community-driven food systems—was both grounding and deeply inspiring.