Generations often feel divided, with our systems encouraging the siloing of youth, adults, and elders, and our culture broadly reinforcing disconnection from each other. However, we are not so different. We must recognize that no matter what age, we are all ancestors in training: What we do, how we speak and think, creates impacts that extend far beyond our own lifetimes.

In the movement to reimagine and transform our food system, we need youth voices. We need elder voices. Even in the absence of true liberation and cooperative models in our region today, together, we can lovingly plant seeds of hope for their existence in the future. We can spread awareness of our continuous history, practice connection with our ancestors, and ensure generational knowledge of the land.

Loving and connecting with every generation leads us to the realization that we are never alone in this universe—we have communal strength and resilience, and an accountability to each other. This is the reason we are here today.