A Celebration of DIG’s Global Community and a Vision for a Nourished Future
Hosted at the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado, and with virtual audiences tuning in from across the globe, this inaugural event brought together an inspiring group of leaders, activists, and community members. The Summit marked the culmination of our 2024 Cultivating Conversations Salon Series, where we explored how our local and global stories are interconnected.
Celebrating Community Leadership and Global Collaboration
DIG’s Global Summit was an opportunity to celebrate the collective power of community-driven solutions to advancing food sovereignty. Our leadership team from the U.S., Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal—including Sarah Koch (Executive Director), Olivia Nyaidho (DIG Kenya), Gloria Mushabe (DIG Uganda), and Seckou Badji (DIG Senegal)—shared their experiences and insights from the field, highlighting the importance of local leadership, environmental stewardship, and collective action.
Joining our leadership team was an incredible lineup of U.S.-based experts, including Brad Buchanan, Chef Asata Reid, Nicole Lupo, and shane bernardo. Each brought unique perspectives on how communities can strengthen local food systems, address inequalities, and build a more resilient, sustainable future at home and abroad.
We also want to give special thanks to nayomi cawthorne, DIG Board Member and community advocate, who did an outstanding job as the emcee. nayomi’s insight and warmth helped guide the conversations and kept the energy high throughout the event.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
In case you missed the DIG’s Global Summit or would like to revisit the discussions, here are some of the key highlights from our global leaders and subject matter experts:
Olivia Nyaidho – Empowering Smallholder Farmers in Kenya
Olivia shared powerful stories from Kenya, where DIG’s programs are helping smallholder farmers and marginalized groups advance food sovereignty and build financial resilience. Through these programs, farmers are gaining the tools and knowledge to create sustainable livelihoods, directly impacting their communities’ food security.
Gloria Mushabe – Valuing Indigenous Foods in Uganda
Gloria highlighted the Indigenous Foods Preservation Project in Uganda, which helps communities like the Batwa reconnect with culturally significant crops and sustainable farming practices. Recently recognized by the FAO and awarded the Global Farmer Field Schools Innovation Award, Gloria underscores the intersection of cultural heritage and food security, promoting both sustainability and food sovereignty.
Sekou Badji – Supporting Vulnerable Families in Senegal
Sekou shared insights from the Priority Household Program in Senegal, which provides nutritional support to malnourished children and their families. His work emphasized that food security is not just about growing food; it’s about fostering long-term, community-driven solutions that offer stability in the face of crises.
Brad Buchanan – Linking Urban and Rural Food Systems
Brad Buchanan, CEO of the National Western Center, kicked off the summit with a compelling vision for a better food future. As a grass-fed grass-finished cattle rancher, Brad discussed the importance of supporting local producers and bridging the urban-rural divide to create more sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Chef Asata Reid – Connecting Childhood Eating and Long Term Health
Chef Asata Reid, co-host of Atlanta NPR’s Savory Stories podcast, joined us virtually to discuss the deep connection between childhood nutrition and longterm health. She emphasized the importance of culturally relevant and local food solutions and how they contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.
Nicole Lupo – Investing in Farm-to-School Education
Nicole Lupo, School Farm Specialist at the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School in Atlanta, highlighted her work in environmental education and farm-to-school programs. Nicole showed us how introducing the principles and practices of agroecology in schools can plant the seeds for a more sustainable and healthy future.
shane bernardo – Reclaiming Cultural Identity Through Food
shane bernardo, co-founder of Food as Healing, brought a unique perspective from Detroit, discussing the intersection of food, culture, and healing. shane emphasized that food security is not just about access to food—it’s about reclaiming cultural identity and healing from historical trauma, especially in communities that have experienced long-standing inequities.
Continuing the Conversation: We Want to Hear From You
The Summit sparked many thought-provoking questions. While we couldn’t address them all during the event, we are committed to continuing the conversation. We’ll be following up on key topics throughout the year, so stay tuned for more discussions. In the meantime, if you have any additional questions or feedback, please take a moment to fill out our quick 3-question post-event survey here!
Missed the Summit? Don’t worry! You can still watch the full recording and catch up on these incredible conversations. Watch DIG’s Global Summit here
A Heartfelt Thank You to This Very Special DIG Community
The success of this Summit would not have been possible without the dedication of our hosts, subject matter experts, global leaders, and—most importantly—YOU, our DIG community. Your participation and support make it possible for us to continue advancing food soverignity, preserving indigenous knowledge, and fostering resilience in the communities we serve.
We’re excited to share that we’re a little over halfway to reaching our 2025 fundraising goal! If you haven’t donated yet, now is the perfect time to help us meet our target. Your donation will directly support DIG’s program expansion and the official registration of local chapters in Kenya and Uganda. Plus, all donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Looking Ahead: Building More Resilient Food Systems
Every conversation, partnership, and program is a step toward a world where all communities have stable, sustainable access to nutritious food. Thank you for being part of this journey, for your unwavering commitment to a just and resilient food future. Together, we can cultivate food systems that honor cultural heritage, uplift marginalized communities, and promote sustainable growth.
Stay tuned for future updates, and thank you for your continued support!