PLENARY SESSION: Reflections on Regional Food Governance from a National Community of Practice
Clark, Jill
Clark, Jill
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Abstract
Governance is an essential aspect of all social systems, and involves joint decision-making among participants, power sharing, and shared problem-solving. A shift towards regional governance within food systems work rather than the actions of government alone introduces greater complexity into problem solving. Dr. Clark’s research is based in agrifood system policy and practice, and centers on community and state governance of food systems, the policy process and community engagement. In this session, she draws on her community-based research and collaboration with local communities across the United States to explore the benefits of taking a regional approach to strengthening food systems through food policy councils (FPCs). Regional FPCs involved greater interaction with decision-makers and policy, allowing for the ability to work at a larger scale, while addressing different issues with different stakeholders. Dr. Clark discusses a model framework for studying regional collaborative governance, which includes membership and leadership, agenda, internal capacity, internal credibility, and external credibility. She shares an overview of the current work of several FPCs around the country, including the NWI Food Council, Western Prairie Food and Farm Community Alliance, and the Columbia Gorge Food Security Coalition.
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2024-09-17