Ben Hewitt

A List
3/28/11

'Strengthening Identity' Is Theme For SLU's North Country Symposium, April 4-5

CANTON - "Growing Our Own Way: Strengthening Our Identity for the North Country's Future" is the theme of the ninth annual St. Lawrence University North Country Symposium, to be held on Monday, April 4, from 7 to 9 p.m., with registration beginning at 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday, April 5, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:15 a.m., in Eben Holden Conference Center on campus. Participants may choose to attend either or both sessions.

The symposium is sponsored by the University's Ellen C. Burt '42 Endowment and participation by representatives of regional government, business, education, planning and environmental organizations is especially welcome.

The keynote address, "Building a Community Identity for a Workable Future," will be given by Ben Hewitt, farmer, journalist and author. His first book, The Town that Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food (2009), describes how the community of Hardwick, Vermont, was able to jump-start its economy and redefine its identity by capitalizing on its assets: enthusiastic young entrepreneurs and a local, sustainable food system - and what best practices from their experiences can be adopted by other communities seeking such revitalization.

Individuals interested in participating in the free event may contact Coordinator Ben Dixon, at 315-229-5664, or find registration materials on the symposium Web site, www.northcountrysymposium.org.

-30-