Renewing the Countryside II

Community and farmer development:rtc coordinates educational and networking activities for beginningfarmers. We manage and grow the farmland access hub, a multi-statenetwork of organizations working collaboratively on farmland access forbeginning farmers and transitions for retiring farmers. We provide public education through the ecoexperience exhibit at the Minnesota state fair. Renewing the Countryside brings information and excitement about local food and farming to the 250,000 attendees from mn and beyond that attend every year. In a new project, "come and get it", we are helping 9 communities in mn develop on-farm events to connect farmers to consumers and retail and institutional buyers.

Local food systems: we work to develop systems that support a robust local food system. Rtcoffers individualized technical assistance to small and mid-sizedfarmers and food businesses and institutions who are incorporatinglocal foods into their menus and onto their shelves. We support nineregional farmers markets hubs, expanding operations through productaggregation and sales to individuals consumers, wholesale andinstitutional buyers. We are a partner in the artisan graincollaborative, working to develop short, values-based supply chains,with a goal to incorporate more small and artisan grains in the uppermidwest landscape. As co-founder of the feast! Network, we coordinate the feast! Local foods marketplace in rochester, mn; an annualtradeshow connecting foodmakers to wholesale buyers and produce anannual local feast! Magazine. We work with farmers, processors andspecialty food manufacturers to increase their use of local farms andbolster the supply chain for local food in our region. We also providetraining on food regulations that impact farmers and foodmakers. Adedictated staff team makes connections through farm to early care andfarm to school and institution programs, including supporting communitygardens and home-based day cares in st paul and offering education andfun projects to get children excited about growing and eating localfruits and vegetables.

Conservation:individualized technical assistance by farmland access navigators tobeginning farmers seeking land. We assist underserved farmers inconnecting with usda programs and services, including loans and other conservation service programs, and providing coaching and supports offered by the farm service agency. Workshops, farm tours, support and networking empower women through the soil sisters project.

Local food systems:we work to develop systems that support a robust local food system. Rtcoffers individualized technical assistance to small and mid-sizedfarmers and food businesses and institutions who are incorporatinglocal foods into their menus and onto their shelves. We support nineregional farmers markets hubs, expanding operations through productaggregation and sales to individuals consumers, wholesale andinstitutional buyers. We are a partner in the artisan graincollaborative, working to develop short, values-based supply chains,with a goal to incorporate more small and artisan grains in the uppermidwest landscape. As co-founder of the feast! Network, we coordinate the feast! Local foods marketplace in rochester, mn; an annualtradeshow connecting foodmakers to wholesale buyers and produce anannual local feast! Magazine. We work with farmers, processors andspecialty food manufacturers to increase their use of local farms andbolster the supply chain for local food in our region. We also providetraining on food regulations that impact farmers and foodmakers. Adedictated staff team makes connections through farm to early care andfarm to school and institution programs, including supporting communitygardens and home-based day cares in st paul and offering education andfun projects to get children excited about growing and eating localfruits and vegetables.