1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »K-State faculty encouraged to submit abstracts for Urban Food Systems Symposium...

K-State Today

December 10, 2015

K-State faculty encouraged to submit abstracts for Urban Food Systems Symposium June 22-25, 2016 – deadline extended to Dec. 18

Submitted by Mary Lou Peter

The Urban Foods Systems Symposium will be June 22-25, 2016, at the K-State Olathe campus as part of the K-State Global Food Systems Initiative. With Kansas State a leader among research universities addressing the global food security challenge, the symposium has already attracted an international audience. We encourage faculty from departments across campus — economics, bio and ag engineering, animal science and others — to showcase any projects related to urban food systems through a poster or oral presentation. The abstracts can address research, education and extension and/or community development programs.

The theme for the symposium is "Changing the way we think about global food security." Urban food systems include a broad array of topics related to urban agriculture and the interaction of people and the food system. Some specific examples of topic areas:

  • Nutrition and human health of urban communities
  • Connecting consumers with agriculture
  • Community and economic development
  • Urban food distribution systems
  • Urban planning and development
  • Food security in cities
  • Food system policy and advocacy
  • Community Gardens
  • Urban food production systems
  • Challenges of growing in urban areas
  • Training for urban farmers

One of the goals of this conference is to showcase the excellent work going on across K-State. Professional development scholarships of up to $500 are available through KS-SARE to attend the conference. Contact Kerri Ebert at kebert@k-state.edu for more information on these scholarships. The abstract submission deadline is midnight Dec. 18. This is a great way to share your projects and ideas with a national and international audience and find out what else is going on across the country in food systems.

About the symposium

The symposium brings together researchers, not-for-profit administrators, community organizers, extension professionals, students and others, to share and gain knowledge on urban food systems and agriculture and their role in global food security. The focus is on food production and distribution in cities; urban planning and development; nutrition and human health; food policy and education; and community and economic development.

More information about the 2016 Urban Food Systems Symposium, including how to submit abstracts, is available at www.ufss2016.org or by emailing info@ufss2016.org.