Join NAMA’s director Niaz Dorry and a host of others at the Slow Money’s regional gathering in Boston. Full conference schedule is below. Niaz will be joining the “Growing the Movement: All the Ways to Play” panel that will explore how to expand the Slow Money movement and deepen our involvement in building a local, sustainable food system. Even if you don’t think of yourself as an investor or an entrepreneur, there are still so many ways to be involved in Slow Money!

Join NAMA’s director Niaz Dorry and a host of others at the Slow Money’s regional gathering in Boston. Full conference schedule is below. Niaz will be joining the “Growing the Movement: All the Ways to Play” panel that will explore how to expand the Slow Money movement and deepen our involvement in building a local, sustainable food system. Even if you don’t think of yourself as an investor or an entrepreneur, there are still so many ways to be involved in Slow Money!

While mobilizing capital is a huge part of our focus at Slow Money, we need all types of investments to achieve our goal of a more just food system — enthusiasm, activism, effort, advocacy, volunteerism and more are all integral parts of this movement. How can you contribute?

See you in Boston!

9:15-10 – KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm will talk about the Just Label It Campaign. 

10-10:15 – BREAK 

10:15-11:45 – PANEL: SLOW MONEY SUCCESSES – WHAT’S WORKING ACROSS THE REGION

With representatives from each of the existing New England Slow Money chapters, this panel will look at the different approaches each chapter has taken. Panelists will explore what the local food movement looks like in each region – rural vs. urban; keys to success; who’s involved, other non-profits/state entities; different types of consumers (retail vs. institutional); lessons learned/best practices. Moderated by Rachel Greenberger of Food Sol at Babson College, the panel will feature: 

Bonnie Rukin, Slow Money Maine;

Eric De Luca, Slow Money Vermont;

Jeff Rosen, Slow Money Pioneer Valley;

Deb Frieze, Boston Impact Initiative 

12:00 – 1:30 – LUNCH AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Lunch will be provided. Please remember a reusable container for water!

While you eat, join a moderated conversation about a topic that interests you. Topics and moderators will include:

Activism – Jeff Clements, Corporations are Not People

Managing Risk – Before and After the Deal is Done – Janice St. Onge, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

Due Diligence – Jose Luis Rojas, Mass Growth Capital Corporation

Financing Your Business – Dan Fireside, Equal Exchange and Dan Rosenberg, Real Pickles

Investment Clubs – Linzee Weld

Sourcing Deals – Dorothy Suput, The Carrot Project

Structuring Deals – Dan Pullman, Fresh Source Capital 

2:00 – 3:30 – PANEL: GROWING THE MOVEMENT — ALL THE WAYS TO PLAY

This panel will explore all the ways to participate in the Slow Money movement and how to get more people involved. Panelists will discuss the habits and profile of a typical “slow money” activist and investor and what roles they play in their communities, as well as how to overcome the investing hurdle and what to consider before making a slow money investment. Finally, the panel will tackle the question of how to make the movement sustainable both financially as well as for the communities it serves. Moderated by Glynn Lloyd, City Fresh Foods, the panel will feature:

Eric Becker, Slow Money VT and Clean Yield Asset Management

John Hamilton, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund

Eleanor Kinney, Slow Money ME

Niaz Dorry, Northeast Atlantic Marine Alliance 

3:30 – 4:00 – CLOSING REMARKS & BREAK 

4:00 – 4:30 – INTRO TO ENTREPRENEUR SHOWCASE: WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION

4:30 – 6:30 – REGIONAL ENTREPRENEUR SHOWCASE

See seven entrepreneurs from across the region discuss their business. Maybe they will inspire you to deepen your Slow Money commitment with an investment. Each business will present for five minutes, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. ENTREPRENEURS: apply today! Deadline 4/27.