The Food Group Minnesota Inc

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LOCATED IN MARINE ON ST. CROIX MINNESOTA, BIG RIVER FARMS IS A PROGRAM OF THE FOOD GROUP THAT OFFERS ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION FOR UNDERSERVED FARMERS--AND IN PARTICULAR FARMERS OF COLOR. IN THE RECENT PAST, FARMERS SERVED BY BIG RIVER FARMS HAVE REQUESTED MORE ROBUST ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE WITH CROP PRODUCTION, BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING, AND OTHER AREAS. AT THE SAME TIME, BIG RIVER FARMS HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY APPROACHED BY SMALL ORGANIZATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH BUILDING THEIR OWN CAPACITY TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO UNDERSERVED FARMERS.THROUGH THIS PROJECT, BIG RIVER FARMS SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR CAPACITY AND THAT OF OUR PROJECT PARTNERS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND ACCESS TO USDA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. FUNDING THROUGH THIS GRANT WILL HELP ENSURE THAT UNDERSERVED MINNESOTA FARMERS ACCESS THE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BUILD THRIVING FARM BUSINESSES. AT BIG RIVER FARMS, STAFF CAPACITY WILL BE ADDED, AND PEER MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE DEVELOPED TO STRENGTHEN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS. AT THE SAME TIME, BIG RIVER FARMS WILL HELP PARTNER AGENCIES BUILD CAPACITY FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH CONSULTATION AND MENTORSHIP, ASSISTANCE WITH FARMER EDUCATION CURRICULUM PLANNING, AND EDUCATION AROUND PRACTICAL SKILLS SUCH AS SEED ORDERING, RECORD KEEPING, AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION. FINALLY, THE ANNUAL EMERGING FARMERS CONFERENCE HOSTED BY BIG RIVER FARMS WILL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATTENDEES TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM HIGHLY SPECIALIZED EXPERTS, SUCH AS FARM TAX PREPARERS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND ORGANIC CERTIFIERS. PROJECT PARTNERS FOR THIS REQUEST INCLUDE: THE VILLAGE AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE, SOMALI AMERICAN FARMERS INSTITUTE, AND SUDANESE FARMING GROUP.

LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM

INCREASING BIPOC FARMER SUCCESS AND USDA PROGRAM PARTICIPATION THROUGHAUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, EDUCATION, LAND ACCESS, AND TECHNICALASSISTANCE

THE FOOD GROUP MINNESOTA INC. WILL EXPAND MARKET ACCESS FOR LOCAL GROWERS WHILE INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL DEVELOP TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS AND A CONSISTENT MARKET FOR FARMERS THROUGH AN AFFORDABLE GROCERY PROGRAM. THE PROJECT INCLUDES STRENGTHENING PURCHASING RELATIONSHIPS WITH GROWERS THROUGH A TIERED PURCHASING SYSTEM AND SIMPLIFIED CONTRACT PROCESSES. TO PROMOTE LOCAL PRODUCT INTEREST AMONG CUSTOMERS MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT LOCAL FARMERS RANCHERS AND FOOD PROCESSORS AS WELL AS CONSUMERS SEEKING FRESH PRODUCE.

THE FOOD GROUP WILL COMPLETE A 3-YEAR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT IN MINNESOTA WHICH AIMS TO: 1) CREATE A CUSTOMIZED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO ENGAGE FOOD SHELVES AS ADVOCATES FOR A MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST FOOD SYSTEM; 2) INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OF LOCAL, SUSTAINABLY-GROWN PRODUCE FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS; AND 3) BUILD CAPACITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WANTING TO GROW AND/OR SELL THEIR OWN FOOD. THIS PROJECT BUILDS ON THE SUCCESS OF A PRIOR CFP AWARD AND USES THE FOOD GROUP IS A NONPROFIT WITH UNIQUE ASSETS, AS IT IS ALREADY WORKING IN MULTIPLE SECTORS OF THE FOOD SYSTEM - IN ADDITION TO BEING THE ONLY INDEPENDENT FOOD BANK IN MINNESOTA AND PROVIDING CAPACITY-BUILDING SUPPORT TO FOOD SHELVES WITH STOCKING FRESH PRODUCE AND CULTURALLY-SPECIFIC FOODS, IT ALSO RUNS AN ORGANIC INCUBATOR FARM, FOOD HUB AND FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SOCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED FARMERS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FOOD SHELVES, FARMS, URBAN GROWERS AND GARDENING PROGRAMS, THE FOOD GROUP WILL: TRAIN FOOD SHELF STAFF IN A SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE AND EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR ENGAGING LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN THEIR WORK; CONDUCT 14 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS WITH MORE THAN 300 PARTICIPANTS TO GATHER FEEDBACK AND EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO ADDRESS LOCAL FOOD NEEDS; STRENGTHEN THE ONLY ORGANIZED GLEANING PROGRAM IN THE TWIN CITIES TO SUPPLY PRODUCE TO FOOD SHELVES; START A DEDICATED FARM PLOT TO GROW ORGANIC VEGETABLES FOR FOOD SHELVES; DEVELOP A NEW URBAN GROWER TRAINING PROGRAM AND CONNECT GROWERS WITH PLANTS AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO MEET THEIR OWN GOALS FOR PRODUCTION AND MARKET ACCESS.

CREATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE VALUE CHAIN TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY IN THE COMMUNITY

ENHANCING SUCCESS FOR BEGINNING, SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS THROUGH CUSTOMIZED RESOURCES, HANDS-ON TRAINING, AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTS

TO EXPAND THE DELIVERY OF CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE, EMPHASIS ON CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE, TO HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FARMERS AND RANCHERS INCLUDING OUTREACH TO MINORITY STUDENTS.

FARMERS TO ACCESS DIRECT TO CONSUMER MAR