MN Farm to School Roadshow, Willmar

Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow: Building Farm to School Relationships

Who: Minnesota farmers looking to expand market opportunities and school or early care providers who would like to incorporate more locally grown food into meal programs.

What: The first-ever Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow will bring together producers, school nutrition professionals and early care providers to make new connections and learn how to build successful relationships. This series of in-person events will include training and facilitated networking opportunities. There will also be a session for attendees to contribute ideas and input for the Minnesota Farm to Kids strategic plan.

When: Feb. 14 – Midwest Technology Campus, Willmar

Agenda:

Noon to 2 p.m. – Relationship Building Sessions. These sessions will help producers and buyers understand each other, talk the same language, and build successful and long-lasting relationships within their community.

• Maximizing Farm to School Markets with Ryan Pesch, University of Minnesota Extension
• You Say Tomato, I Say Tomäto: How Schools and Producers Can Speak the Same Language with Sara George, Renewing the Countryside.

2-3 p.m. – Envisioning the Future of Farm to School and Early Care in Minnesota with Kate Seybold, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Jayme Anderson, Minnesota Department of Education. Minnesota is developing a new strategic plan for supporting Farm to School and Early Care in the state. Help to shape this plan by sharing your experiences and ideas.

3-4 p.m. – Making Community Connections: Time for prospective buyers and producers to meet and talk about potential connections for sales.

Attendees are encouraged to attend the entire event, but can attend individual portions based on their availability.

Organizers: The Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow is free and organized by Renewing the Countryside, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Education and University of Minnesota Extension. MFU is sponsoring coffee served at the event.

Registration: All sessions will close at capacity so register early!