About FIG
Speakers from UVM and beyond give talks on food systems topics. Each FIG features one or more presentations, with time for questions and discussion over food.
UPCOMING FIG EVENTS:
This spring, FIG will focus on Food Ethics.
The Cow as a Stakeholder in the Ethics of Dairy Production
with Kate Cruetzinger
Wednesday April 22nd 5-6:00pm
Animal food production relies on the use of animals for their end products, which creates concerns about the treatment of animals in agriculture. Join Kate Creutzinger for a presentation that explores the ethical complexities of dairy production, focusing on the balance between animal welfare, economic sustainability, and societal expectations. We will examine key issues such as cow–calf separation, surplus calves, and the use of emerging management practices aimed at improving welfare outcomes. By integrating scientific research with ethical frameworks, the talk invites discussion on how the dairy industry can evolve to better align with public values and responsible food production.
Location: Venetian Soda Lounge, 266 Pine Street, Burlington, VT, 05401
This is a special Food and Ideas Gathering in partnership with Public Philosophy Week.
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Past FIG Events
Spring 2025: Alternative Proteins
Wednesday April 16, 2025: Plant-based Lunch for the Planet Aisha Barrett from Offbeat Creemee, a plant-based ice cream company, and Alex Wild from Mighty Mudita, a plant-based deli slice company.
Wednesday March 19, 2025: Changing Palates: PhD Students Research Nutritious and Climate-Friendly Proteins Patrick Shafer and Alexis Yamashita
Wednesday February 19 2025: Cellular Agriculture: Engineering Alternative Proteins for a Sustainable Future Food System Rachael Floreani, David Kaplan, Chris Foley, Kevin Markey
Fall 2024: Food Procurement
Friday October 1, 2024: Home and wild food procurement: Can participating improve food and nutrition security? Ashley McCarthy, postdoctoral associate
Spring 2024: Natural Sciences
Wednesday April 17th: Introducing: The Climate Kitchen: A Maker's Space for Collaboration and Experimentation with Amy Trubek and the Soil Health Research and Extension Center with Joshua Faulkner and Deb Neher
An introduction of two new FSRC-funded initiatives at UVM.
Wednesday March 20th: Lightning Talks from Dairy Science Post-Docs
"Moo-difying the fat content of dairy foods to improve human health" Andrew Magnuson
"Beyond the Rind: Delving into Vermont's Cheese Resistome" Felipe Machado de Sant'Anna
"Sustainable dairy pastures: dung, dirt, and biodiversity" Bryony Sands
Wednesday February 7th: Strategies for improving sustainability and capacity of Northeastern ruminant livestock systems
Matthew M. McIntosh, PhD , Research Animal Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Fall 2023: Climate Change and Food Systems
Friday December 8th: Climate Change and Farming in Vermont
Panel: Matt Lasser from Reap and Sow Farm, Hilary Martin from Digger’s Mirth, Bruce Hennessey from Maple Wind Farm, Ransom Conant from Conant’s Riverside Farm
Moderator: Kate Longfield from the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
Thursday, November 9th: Navigating contradictions: Climate adaptation planning at the farm and regional scale
Courtney Hammond-Wagner, Research Social Scientist, USDA-ARS and Rachel Schattman, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, UMaine
Friday October 20th: Starting Over Again...and Again: Climate Change and Refugee Agriculture
Pablo Bose, Professor, Department of Geography and Geosciences and Director of the Global and Regional Studies Program