Food systems stakeholders across the state are gearing up for community wide conversations on a 25-year vision and roadmap for a sustainable food system. This vision was drafted by the Washington State Food Systems Roundtable, a broad multi-sector coalition made up of public and private partners that represent the major sectors that describe the food system.

In 2010 an inter-agency working group was created by former Governor Christine Gregoire, with the charge to take a statewide, systems-level look at what is and isn’t working in Washington’s food system. The group made the recommendation to establish the roundtable with the specific charge to draft a 25-year strategy and vision for sustainable food system and the necessary leadership and implementation model to materialize the vision.

Between Oct. 24 and Nov. 17, roundtable members will convene nine live conversations in key areas of the state. The public is invited to attend the Vancouver event on Monday, Nov. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Clark College. Light snacks will be provided. To learn more, visit http://wafoodsystem.weebly.com/.

Magenta Theater will present its latest Black Chair Theater production: 84 Charing Cross Road a staged reading directed by Jaynie Roberts. New York bibliophile Helene Hanff writes to the London bookshop Marks & Co in search of some titles she has not been able to turn up locally. Store manager, Frank Doel, responds politely (in his typical English manner) to her chatty letter, and over the course of two decades, a deep, long-distance friendship evolves. This installment of Black Chair Theater is at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, at Magenta, 1108 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information, visit http://www.magentatickets.com/tickets.

Clark County is seeking applicants to fill three seats on the five-person Clark County Noxious Weed Control Board. The weed board advises the Board of County Councilors about managing noxious weeds. Appointments to the board are for four-year terms, which begin Jan. 1, 2017. Members are not paid salaries, but are compensated for expenses. Clark County is divided into five geographic weed districts. The county is seeking farmers or others involved in agriculture from District No. 2, 3, and 4. To see a map showing approximate district boundaries, click here. To apply, call 360-397-6140 or write to Clark County Vegetation Management, Attn: Weed Board Coordinator, 1300 Franklin St., P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA, 98666-9810. Applications must be submitted to the weed board office by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) has hired Miriam Martin as its youth initiatives manager. Martin will be responsible for implementing youth-related strategies for workforce development. She will manage and oversee contracts with organizations providing training and employment services to young adults ages 16 to 24 that have dropped out of high school and are seeking to obtain their diploma or GED, and skills and training to enable them to get work. In addition, she will outreach to community-based organizations providing services to youth to seek opportunities for partnerships. Before joining WSW, Martin was the Intake Coordinator at Kinship House in Portland. Companies interested in participating in youth workforce development programs can contact Martin at mmartin@workforcesw.org or 360-567-3183.