Video still from “Feeding a Region”

July 31. A Cornelius-based non-profit that works to preserve farmland and nurture local farming, will premier a video called “Feeding a Region” and host a panel discussion Thursday, Aug. 6 on Zoom. The 7-minute film, with an engaging soundtrack by musician Tacoma Narrows, outlines the whys and wherefores of connecting farmers to available Charlotte-area farmland. With some 50,000 Mecklenburg families receiving food assistance, local farming could feed thousands of people.

Zack Wyatt, the Cornelius resident who is founder of Carolina Farm Trust, says five panelists will discuss the importance and challenges of strengthening our local food ecosystem. Indeed, CFT has developed three local farms, with the support of major corporate sponsors.

Following the film, a panel of 5 local food systems leaders will discuss the following:

—The challenges of current food systems.

—Systemic changes needed to achieve food justice.

—The importance of grounding food justice in racial equity.

—The urgency of starting the work for food justice now.

—The ways in which funding this work will yield a return on investment.

The free virtual event starts at 6 pm. To register, click here.

Zack Wyatt