Comment by Judy Pitzl on September 17, 2012 at 10:41am

Southwest MN SHIP along with several partners, helped create the Southwest Minnesota Local Food Guide. It has been the most popular item at a variety of events in SW MN this summer. In addition to events and meetings, the guide also has been distributed to school food service directors, Farmers’ Markets (for producers to hand out to customers), businesses and more.  The catalog recently has been posted on the Southwest Health and Human Services website. Enjoy!  http://www.swmhhs.com/vertical/sites/%7BD72BE224-81B0-437F-B050-363... 

Comment by David Fluegel on September 18, 2012 at 4:53pm

Thank you for posting this Guide electronically Judy. I have been holding on tight to my only hard copy, now I have a way to share. The tagline on the front cover is very telling and appreciated "Working together to build health in the economy, environment, and people of the Southwest Minnesota foodshed".

Comment by Kathy Draeger on September 18, 2012 at 9:59pm

Judy- that is a GREAT resource.  Looks like a project of the Marshall Area Co-op and SHIP funding.  Nice outcome of that work!

Comment by David Fluegel on September 26, 2012 at 10:29pm

videos and discussion on food and agriculture in SW Minnesota

Peter Shea has recently been conducting interviews http://ias.umn.edu/category/bat-of-minerva/minnesota-food/  NOTE: SCROLL WAY DOWN TO SEE CONTENT ONCE THE PAGE IS DOWNLOADED

Peter will be discussing the project this Friday, September 28, at noon in 235 Nolte Center. All are welcome; more information is at https://events.umn.edu/021821

Comment by Judy Pitzl on September 27, 2012 at 2:24pm

Greetings Southwest Minnesota Area Producers,

 

You are invited to attend or help spread the word regarding our upcoming SW MN area Producers' event on October 10^th, 2012 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm, lunch will be provided. This event will be free of charge courtesy of the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant.

 

Workshop will include information on Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety:

• Food Safety on the Farm
• Good Agricultural Practices
• Information on developing a Farm Food Safety Plan: Resources and how to get started.

This event will be held at Buller Gardens, 1227 Co. Hwy 16 Hendricks, MN – Visit them on Facebook!

 

We are only able to accommodate 20-30 producers at this event, so RSVP early! The date to RSVP by is October 3^rd, 2012. Please contact Lindsay by phone or email to register or to learn more about this event.

 

RSVP to:

Lindsay.ourada@swmhhs.com or call 507-532-1242

 

Come to hear practical advice, ask questions and network with other local Producers.

Comment by David Fluegel on November 1, 2012 at 9:40pm

Healthy Relationships...from a Clean Up the River Environment posting (I enjoyed the Anne Queenan/Audrey Arner video):

 

There are some people we admire who have learned a thing or two about healthy relationships with both the Human and Natural Community:

Atina Diffley is coming to the Watson Town Hall this Saturday Nov 3 @ 6 p.m. to read from her new book which she started at the CURE Writer's Retreat 2 years ago (before we had heat, lights and plumbing)  We hope you can come to meet her and hear her stories about how resilient relationships with the land and Twin Cites Food Co-op community helped her family to resist and win against seemingly unstoppable corporate pipeline interests.

Audrey Arner and Richard Handeen of Moonstone Farm are featured in a new Voices Blog post and video byAnne Queenan on the CURE Web site.  It is really good. As Audrey says, healthy relationships can help us to take risks and do what is right for the land and the community, even when the larger society doesn't support it.  

Comment by Kathy Draeger on November 2, 2012 at 7:48am

David- thanks for posting this.  The video of Audrey and Moonstone farms is great!  Audrey says that some of the conservation changes made on their farm was with the help of the federal agriculture programs- like the NRCS EQIP (Environmental Quality Improvement Program).  I've been thinking lately that a GREAT DEAL of the local foods and sustainable ag support for farmers (especially beginning farmers- with 90% cost share) comes through those ag programs.  High tunnels, organic production, pasture and grazing are all supported by EQIP.  I didn't know that until we started farming ourselves- and now I see the direct impact.

Long story- short.  Healthy food begins with healthy farms.  The NRCS EQIP program is on the front lines of helping and supporting (with $) farmers make changes that improve farm health.  

Comment by Katie Wahl on March 8, 2013 at 1:54pm

Policy, systems, and environmental changes and their effects on foo...

Want to know more about policy, systems, and environmental changes and their effects on food systems?  Tune in to a webinar on March 19 from 1:30- 3:00 pm that will explain the Community Transformation Grant theory of change and how strong partnerships between local public health and food networks can move systems change forward to improve access to healthy food and address obesity and chronic disease.

 

To join the training session

-------------------------------------------------------

1. Go to https://health-state-mn-ustraining.webex.com/health-state-mn-ustrai...

2. Enter your name and email address.

3. Enter the session password: Mar192013!

4. Click "Join Now".

5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

 

Call-in toll-free number:1-888.742.5095 (US)

Conference Code: 885 604 3562

Comment by Ryan Pesch on April 20, 2013 at 1:22pm

Want to get the word out about your farm or farmers market? Want to show your support for local foods in our region? Become a partner of Pride of the Prairie! 

We're in member drive season between now and May 17th for our 2013-14 edition of our local foods guide. Send in attached 2013 Pride of the Prairie Application or go to http://www.prideoftheprairie.org/ to download an application or email Ryan at pesch@umn.edu

Comment by David Fluegel on April 23, 2013 at 10:21am

FYI - in case you are looking for a locally made/produced film that documents/supports CSAs...the film is called "Dirty Work: The Story of Elsie's Farm". The note below is from our friend Deb Wallwork, maker of the fim:

Hi Folks,

I have a wonderful film and I would like to find a screening venue partner who's mission is motivating, informing and encouraging folks to join CSAs. 

The film is a narrative documentary that follows a year in the life of a CSA farm. As a narrative doc, it's a wonderful character of progressive folks, walking their talk, putting their lives on the line to make a difference.

It is most effective shown within a context that gives folks some opportunity to educate the public about the issues the film raises. Questions often lead to discussion about the many challenges that organic farmers face. What are the benefits of joining a CSA and is it worth it given it is relatively expensive? What we can do to encourage this movement? These are questions I am often asked.

The film has been screened a ton of times in the Cities, from the U of M Food Day to MOSES shown by the League of Women Voters and Sustainable Ag programs in Fergus Falls and Menomonie. 

So I could happily retire the film to scattered DVD sales, but it's spring again and it's a good time to motivate folks, and there may be an organization out there looking for just such an opportunity. 

If so, contact me at 651-216-4610
Debmn@mac.com

Thanks!

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