Speakers

Chris Schwartz

Executive Director, Iowa Food System Coalition, Black Hawk County Supervisor

Chris Schwartz was born and raised in Dubuque before moving to Cedar Falls/Waterloo to study music and political science at the University of Northern Iowa. Chris is a well-known community activist and organizer in the Cedar Valley and an outspoken advocate for those he feels are left behind by current systems and has worked for a variety of social justice organizations including 18 years with Elanore Roosevelt's Americans for Democratic Action. In 2016 Chris was elected to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors and is now in his second term and is the current board chair. As County Supervisor Chris has been a leader on public health, renewable energy, conservation, infrastructure, and water quality. In 2021 Chris lost his husband Logun Buckley to suicide, he does this work as part of his healing journey. When he is not engaged in food systems work or public service, he can be found maintaining his gardens which are often featured on tours and playing bass and theremin with his rock band The Harmony Electric.