On Tuesday June 25, 2013, a Denver dispute resolution group, OvalOptions, provided the facilitation for the Local Food Think Tank, in Denver, Colorado.  The event was sponsored by the Mile High Business Alliance and was held at the Denver Green School.  Many of the attendees were major players in food production and distribution in the Denver metropolitan area (farmers, food processors, retailers, restaurant owners, policy makers, etc.).  A large group conversation entitled “Understanding Denver’s 20% Food Shift” (a facilitated discussion about sustainable goals in localizing Denver’s food supply) was the first item on the agenda.  I was the facilitator of the approximately 100-person group and helped them document a range of ideas on how to potentially produce more of Denver’s food supply within the state of Colorado.  I then facilitated a second smaller group discussion entitled “Urban Agriculture – Challenges and Best Practices”.  I helped this group develop and record a wide range of ideas on how to increase production of food in the Denver urban environment.

I am one of several associates of OvalOptions.  This dispute resolution group contributed, at no charge, a group of six facilitators to this community effort.  In recognition of the crucial role played by these facilitators, the Mile High Business Alliance recently recognized OvalOptions with an award lauding its “Amazing Conversation Convening Capacity”.  I am proud to be one of the facilitators helping to provide this public service and hope that OvalOptions will be asked, again in 2014, to assist the Mile High Business Alliance in continuing this valuable discussion.