The Heritage Foods Symposium, hosted by Santa Fe College, is slated for Friday, Aug. 23.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Charles L. Blount Center (530 W. University Ave.) in Gainesville. It will focus on improving access and developing opportunities for small farms, farmers markets, gardens and community education across Florida.

The symposium will include a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Taylor of Florida A&M (FAMU) and a closing address by Dr. Anna Prizzia, Alachua County Commissioner for District 3.

Taylor will talk about growing programs and viable farming resources available throughout Florida. There will be workshops and presentations for participants to attend.

The Florida Heritage Foods Project, created by community college faculty and staff, is presenting the symposium this year. The project is designed to help students adopt a more sustainable local food system by teaching about Florida’s history and diverse traditional crops.

Registration is free and tickets can be found on the Heritage Foods Symposium’s event page.

Following the symposium will be a mixer at Cypress and Grove Brewery.