In this VORS 2023 session, we learned about cooperative models in organics management and farming and some of the challenges that groups face when they don't "conform to the norm."

Speakers:

• Josefina Luna from CERO (Cooperative Energy, Recycling, and Organics), a worker-owned commercial composting cooperative in Dorchester, MA, whose mission is to keep food waste out of landfills, save money for their clients, and provide good, green jobs for Boston's hard-working communities;

• Ulum Pixan Athohil Suk'il from Global Village, an international education, training, and movement-building initiative in Grafton, MA, that aims to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food and farming to build community, with food justice firmly at the center of their practices; and

• Rubén Parrilla from NOFA/Mass. Working to promote organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities, and the planet, NOFA-Mass partners with Global Village, providing technical assistance to support their vision.

Video time stamps:

• 00:00 Welcome to VORS 2023 from Natasha Duarte

• 03:40 Introduction of speaker

• 04:57 CERO video of tipping at their compost facility

• 09:58 Josefina Luna, CERO

• 23:27 Ulum Pixan Athohil Suk'il, Global Village

• 39:50 Rubén Parrilla, NOFA/Mass

• 45:59 Discussion