Some food-related ideas are absolutely terrible -- like Paula Deen's racially insensitive idea for an antebellum Southern wedding.
Others, like innovations in education or issues regarding prejudice and injustice in the U.S. legal system, are worth spreading.
TED Talks (short for "technology, entertainment, design") are worldwide conferences sharing ideas that cover a wide range of topics from education and politics to environmentalism and technology.
As part of an independently organized TEDx event, our very own Jason "Farmer Jay" McCobb of Farmer Jay's Soapbox has been asked to present.
Clean Plate Charlie spoke to our hometown hero about his topic and how he got involved with the event.
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A TEDx presentation looks much like an official TED events except that they are not affiliated with TED. They are created by local groups, looking to recreate a TED-like experience.
TEDx Jupiter is being held on November 15 at the Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience. Organizer Ernie Lefler just happened to meet McCobb while taking a Master Gardener course -- one that McCobb himself used to teach.
"I hadn't been teaching the class for over three years and I ended up coming in as a guest to teach a class about composting," said McCobb. "I ended up speaking to [Ernie] about the conference and I actually suggested some other speakers. He ended up asking me to speak."
McCobb was pitched with two topics, composting and recycling and local food. He chose to cover local food, or as he puts it, "a better way for better food."
"I said I'd like to take a stab at local food, since that's what my business is about," said McCobb. "I'm still in disbelief. I'm such a big fan of TED Talks. I never for a second would've thought I'd be ready now."
With his 18 minute talk, McCobb hopes to inspire people to want to grow for themselves.
"I want to get people to look at the food system from a different perspective," said McCobb. "A lot of people are angry, because they feel like there is nothing they can do. But they don't realize how much they can do and what power they have."
There are about 100 tickets available to the event, which are available for invite-only. The talk will be available online after the event.
Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience is located at 1 Max Planck Way in Jupiter. Visit ted.com/tedx.
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