The Natural History Museum of Utah Announces its 2017 Lecture Series

Food and the decisions we make about what to eat and where to get what we consume are at the heart of our everyday lives. The Natural History Museum of Utah’s 11^th annual Lecture Series will highlight four diverse food experts presenting some of the latest views, developments and innovations about the food we eat, the ways in which we produce it and even challenge how we think about food.

“Every year, the Lecture Series strives to bring important topics that shine a light on the delicate relationships between the natural world, and surrounding people and communities,” says Public Programs Manager Colleen McLaughlin. “This year’s topic of rethinking how we produce food and examining whether or not it’s safe, sustainable, nutritious and economical is on the minds of people both in the states and countries abroad.”

The 2017 series contains five fascinating lectures by several of the top food guru’s in the country. Thanks to the generous underwriting of the R. Harold Burton Foundation, Underwriter the Cultural Vision Fund and other important sponsors and supporters, the Natural History Museum of Utah is excited to welcome the following guest lectures.

Caleb Harper, a research scientist and 2015 National Geographic emerging explorer will address Reinventing Our Food Future with Urban Farms. Harper is the principle investigator and director of the Open Agriculture Initiative at MIT Media Lab. Harper and his colleagues have envisioned and engineered “vertical farming.” An innovative and unusual agricultural technique using food computers to monitor the developmental needs and environmental conditions of plants as they grow. Join him Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 7pm - The Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, SLC, UT.

Naomi Starkman, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Civil Eats will address The Rise of the Good Food Movement. Starkman, an attorney turned food journalist became passionate about sustainable agriculture while learning first-hand how to farm. In 2009, she started a website examining the policies and politics behind the food industry and later created an award-winning publication to bring public awareness to a variety of important food-related issues. Meet Starkman Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7pm - The Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, SLC, UT, or Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 7pm - The Viridian Center, 8030 So. 1825 W. West Jordan UT.

Dr. Diana Cox-Foster, research leader and entomologist at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service-Pacific West area will present Bees, Essential Keystones Supporting Our Food: Are they in Danger? Previously a professor of entomology at Penn State University, Cox-Foster, along with other researchers are trying to explain why honeybee colonies—nature’s innate pollinators—are in rapid decline. Join her Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 7pm - The Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E. 400 So. SLC, UT.

Andrew Zimmern, chef, journalist and television host will be this year’s final lecture and keynote speaker with his presentation Andrew Zimmern, Food: A Global Perspective on the State of our Food Life. As a multiple award winner and one of “America’s 50 Most Powerful People in Food,” Zimmern develops and produces shows and specials that explore cultural adventures centered around travel and food. Zimmern also teaches, writes and helps students overcome hardships through culinary paths. Tickets for this event are $12 for all ages, $6 with valid University of Utah I.D. Join him Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 7pm - Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, 1395 Presidents Circle, SLC, UT. 

Complete 2017 Lecture Series Information

R. Harold Burton Foundation

Underwriter
Cultural Vision Fund

Gold Sponsor
Rio Tinto Kennecott

Silver Sponsors
The Clark Foundation
Kent C. and Martha H. DiFiore Family Foundation
The M Lazy M Foundation

Myriad Genetics

 Media Partner    

KCPW 88.3F Public Radio

Community Partners
The City Library
Kingsbury Hall
Liberty Heights Fresh
Viridian Center