We are at the Home Grown Economy Conference today, February 16, in Marshall, MN. This regional event, sponsored by Congressman Collin Peterson, is discussing rural and urban connections that are related to local foods. This event is happening via five video conference sites in northwestern, western and southwest Minnesota and has drawn over 300 people across the Congressman’s District. Approximately 1/3 of the people at the conference are from the Twin Cities metro area.
We heard inspiring words from Congressman Peterson and from the Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, about the need for small and large farmers to collaborate together and inspiring new programs from the USDA, such as the innovative Know Your Farmer Know Your Food program.
A big part of the discussion today is the need to create a community based food system to help keep the decisions related to food production and consumption on the local level. Another idea that has been discussed is to create a food policy council. We are making great connections and spreading the word about Rurb.MN. We look forward to receiving submissions of some of the many examples of rural urban connections that we have heard here today. Local food is an important rural urban linkage.
What are other examples of rural urban connections happening in your area?
Be sure to submit your examples of rural urban connections with us! Click here to fill out the rural urban connections form.
Filed under: Local Food Networks | Tagged: local food, Rural Urban connections, USDA Rural Development
