Affinity Groups
Standing groups you join based on who you are or where you work in the sector: Nonprofit & Public Sector, LGBTQ+ Women, Nonbinary and Trans people. These are groups that keep meeting - four to six times a year, mostly virtually.
Connecting with others like you.
The Open Fields Annual Conference puts everyone together once a year. Affinity groups are the opposite - a standing group of people who share a piece of who you are or what you’re working on, meeting often enough that you actually get to know them.
Affinity groups have existed informally for years, running mostly out of the Annual Conference and kept alive by whoever had the energy. We’ve built them into a real program with staff support behind it.
The Groups
Nonprofit & Public Sector
For LGBTQ+ people working at nonprofits, associations, government agencies, NGOs, law firms, and universities to connect and lead across the public and mission-driven side of the food system.
LGBTQ+ Women in Agriculture
For LGBTQ+ women working across farms, agriculture and food businesses, nonprofits, and every corner of the industry to grow, connect, and lead alongside one another.
Trans & Nonbinary People
For trans and nonbinary people working across farms, food businesses, and every corner of the industry to connect, grow, and lead alongside one another.
How They Work
Each group meets four to six times a year, mostly virtually, led by a volunteer with support from our staff.
There’s no fee and no attendance requirement. Come to one, skip three, come back.
Join an Affinity Group
Lead one. Groups run because someone volunteers to run them. It’s a few hours a quarter, and it’s the fastest way to know everyone in your corner of this industry.
Start an Affinity Group
Don’t see a group that fits your community? Start one.
If a group of at least 15 people identifies a shared community within the food and agriculture industry, Open Fields Alliance will help bring it to life. Once your group is established, we provide:
Staff support to help you plan, organize, and grow
Promotion across our website and social channels
An annual grant to support your group’s work
Ready to start a group? Contact Tandy Kidd, our Program Director (tandy@openfieldsalliance.org) to learn more.
Questions
What is there to do between Conferences?
Affinity groups. Open Fields Alliance runs standing groups - Nonprofit & Public Sector, LGBTQ+ Women, and LGBTQ+ Allies - meeting four to six times a year, mostly virtually. They’re free, there’s no attendance requirement, and they don’t need travel budget or a conference ticket.
How do I join an affinity group?
Fill out the short form linked from this page, the same one used for Get Involved and SpectrumNEXT. There’s no fee and no minimum commitment - come to one meeting, skip three, come back.
How often do affinity groups meet?
Four to six times a year, mostly virtually. Each group is led by a volunteer with support from Open Fields Alliance staff. There’s no attendance requirement.
Is there an LGBTQ+ group specifically for women?
Yes. The Open Fields Alliance LGBTQ+ Women affinity group is for LGBTQ+ women working across farms, agriculture and food businesses, nonprofits, and every corner of the industry to grow, connect, and lead alongside one another. It meets four to six times a year, mostly virtually, and is free to join.
Is there a group for allies?
Yes. The LGBTQ+ Allies affinity group is for allies working across the food and agriculture industry who want to show up, take action, and help build a sector where LGBTQ+ people belong and lead. It meets on the same schedule as the other affinity groups and is free to join.