“Growing our Community With Local Food” is the topic of a Tuesday, Dec. 1, event at The Hansen Center, Batesville, sponsored by the Food and Growers Association of Laughery Valley and Environs.

The timetable: 6:30 p.m., reception with light appetizers and desserts featuring locally grown foods; 7 p.m., short meeting to elect officers; 7:15 p.m., panel discussion on opportunities for businesses, schools, farmers and health care organizations.

Roy Ballard, a Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service agriculture and natural resources educator for Hancock County and a Purdue New Venture Team member, is one speaker. Ballard believes farmers’ markets and local food systems can be dynamic, vital hubs of not only farmer income generation and enterprise incubation, but also of community and economic development and revitalization.

Other panelists include Kathy Cooley, FGA president; Patty Reding, FGA vice president and Batesville Farmers’ Market master; and Claire Whalen, Laughery Valley Growers Association president.

Cost is free to FGA members and $10 for others, which will include FGA membership. RSVPs are requested, but not necessary: Kathy Cooley, 934-6677.