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January Meeting Minutes

At our January meeting, Lise Abazs and Jackie Clay Atikinson led a discussion on the best seed varieties in NE MN. CLICK HERE for meeting notes and find out more about seeds at www.arrowheadgrown.org/seeds.

NE MN Food & Farm Project Presentations - Join us Feb 19th

Join us for an Interactive Community Food and Farm Project Presentation Session! 7 Projects will present for 4 minutes each, followed by 6 minutes of Q&A.

Projects:
* Community Cold Storage in Grand Marais
* Farm Lande Community Kitchen in Duluth
* Food Access Land Trust
* Wild Rice Processing Facility in Finland
* Institutional Supported Agriculture in Embarrass
* Love's Hemp House in Gheen
* Farmers Market Hub Expansion in Grand Rapids

After the presentations, you have the opportunity to allocate 10 votes to the project(s) of your choice!

Selected projects will receive a portion of $10,000 seed funding + $10,000 in technical/business assistance and ongoing support, including additional grant assistance.

If you are unable to attend the event, but would still like to participate in the community voting process, please email Joel Bransky at bran1351@umn.edu to request a recording of the event and a link to the survey. Requests must be sent to Joel by 6pm on February 19th to participate in the voting process. All voting will close on Monday, February 22nd at noon.

Zoom link to join us from 2pm-4pm on February 19th: https://bit.ly/3rf1uau

New Northland Food Network Resources on Arrowhead Grown Website

Now on www.arrowheadgrown.org, we have a Food and Farm Resources page. We hope to use this page as a directory for all of the wonderful resources in our region, state, and nationally. If you have any edits, please email BRAN1351@umn.edu.

The Forest Assisted Migration Project (FAMP) is also sharing their research and resources on www.arrowheadgrown.org. What is FAMP? The Northwoods are experiencing dramatic change, and many northern tree species are dying. Within 50 years, without any intervention, researchers predict that the landscape in northeastern Minnesota will become mostly open grasslands. If this happens, our regional economy, culture, wildlife and all that depend on the forest will be permanently changed.

The Forest Assisted Migration Project (FAMP) is attempting to address these challenges. FAMP aims to re-establish a resilient northern forest and bolster the regional economy by Collecting tree seeds, Forming the Farm and Forest Collaborative and Establishing partnerships and seedling purchase agreements. Learn more.

Network Discussion

Resources shared by Northland Food Network members over the past month on the Northland Food Network Facebook group. Not on Facebook? Send your information to kelsey.gantzer@aeoa.org to be included in next month’s newsletter. 

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

• Regional Sustainable Development Partnership Idea Brief. Apply by February 14, 2021.

• Lakewinds Organic Field Fund (LOFF) Grant. Apply by February 14.

• Food Safety Outreach Program Grant. Apply by April 1. Overview webinar Feb 19 from 1-2pm.

• Mill City Farmers Market Next Stage Grant. Apply by March 1.

• Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) Grants & Loans for Farmers List: Click here.

• Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grants. Apply by March 19.

NEWS

• MN AG in the Classroom “Minnesota Harvest of the Month” survey. Click HERE.

• Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) agricultural grant advising resources. Find out more.

• North Central Region SARE resources including grant support, training and networking. Learn more. View SARE Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities CLICK HERE.

• Finland Food Chain apple pruning webinar recording. View here.

• University of MN is mapping agritourism activities. Learn more and add to list.

• CSA Farmers: List your farm on the Land Stewardship Project’s 2021 CSA Farm Directory. Sign up here.

• Minnesota Grown is renewing and welcoming new members for 2021. Learn more.

• USDA is seeking members for a new advisory committee on urban agriculture. Learn more.

EVENTS

• Feb 8th-12th Sustainable Farming Association Annual Conference

• Feb 17th Indigenous Perspectives on Water and Conservation

• Feb 22nd-27th Growing Stronger, 5-in-1 Virtual Conference

• Multiple Dates (Feb 11, 20, 22, 27) MISA Blazing Trails through the Jungle of Local Food Regulations

• Mar 4th-6th Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative Annual Conference

• Mar 18th 11am-12pm Farm Energy Day: Solar Power on the Farm

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Rutabaga Project/AEOA Food Access Manager. Apply by Feb 11th

What is the Northland Food Network?

The Northland Food Network supports regional food production, access, and education to improve the health and resiliency of the Northland’s people, economy, and environment.

Goal: Produce and consume 25% local food by 2025
Action Steps:

• Improve Access to Capital

• Create a regional Vision

• Encourage More Producers

• Increase Farm-To-School

• Impact Legislation

Join us! Connect with others in the region who are working to increase local food production and consumption. Together, let’s create the networks of support that ensure long-term sustainable food access in NE MN.

We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 4pm-5pm via Zoom.

For more information, contact David Abazs dwabazs@umn.edu or Brian Bluhm atbluhmb@stlouiscountymn.gov

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