Upcoming ANCA event to explore how climate change threatens our food systems

REDLANDS, Calif. — Redlands residents are invited to attend an informative event hosted by the local chapter of Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) that will explore the impacts of climate change on our food systems. 

Why it matters: Food growth relies on specific conditions and is hyper sensitive to weather and climate changes, so projected temperature increases, changes in rainfall patterns and reductions in water availability, among other extreme weather events, can significantly impact crop production.

Details: The event, titled “How Vulnerable is Our Food Supply? The Impact of One Little Fly,” will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Redlands Community Senior Center. 

By using the Oriental fruit fly as a timely example, event speakers will discuss how environmental changes can impact local food systems throughout the Inland Empire. Their presentations will also touch on ways communities can protect vulnerable food systems against threats such as climate disasters, including disease, wildfires, floods and insect infestations.

The first speaker, Abby Harned, is a third generation Redlands resident and a local organic farmer. Harned earned her degree in Agronomy, a field of study focusing on crop production and soil management, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona. She founded Three Sisters Farm, an organic certified farm that began production in 2008 and grows traditional Native American crops. The farm utilizes strategies such as diverse crop rotation, composting, micro-irrigation, native habitat restoration, low-till, hand cultivation and the use of solar energy to practice sustainability and organic farming.

Dan Klooster, an environmental studies professor at the University of Redlands, will join Harned as a speaker. Klooster has a doctorate in geography from University of California, Los Angeles, and regularly teaches environmental justice courses that focus on food and food sources. 

This event is the second installment of ANCA’s “Growing Risks of Climate Change” series that educates residents about how climate crises impact our world and local communities. During these monthly events, they also offer suggestions on actions we can take to mitigate the effects.  

Moving forward: If interested in attending register for the event through Eventbrite. Walk-ins are also welcome as the event is free and open for all. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, reach out to ANCA at info@ancainlandempire.org.