Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on February 25, 2010
I did an interview recently for Wayne Eddy’s show at KYMN Radio in Northfield. First half hour was very much mundane stuff, then we got into the more intricate workings of the Rural Enterprise Center, our strategies and approach, processes and politics associated with the work I do for Main Street Project’s Rural Enterprise Center.
The whole interview is about 2 hours, but it is only after 30 minutes that things get a more articulated representation of the work we are doing to build a regional system that can support a new system for promoting economic development my maximizing the regional assets in the food and agriculture sector.
If you are very interested in what we do, this interview pulls out a lot of material that is hard to get into a document, and although we are working on writing down the whole system in a formal publication, this is a great preview of what will come later.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on February 12, 2010
The Minnesota Food Association is leading the organization of the 5th Immigrant Farming Conference in Saint Paul. Follow this link to the MN Food Association announcement about the conference. Below is the introductory text from MFA’s site.
5th Immigrant and Minority Farmers Conference
FEB 19-20, 2010, St. Paul, MN
Location: Wilder Foundation
451 Lexington Parkway North near University Av.
This conference focuses on being as relevant as possible for farmers. Farmers are involved in the planning, presentations,
participation and evaluation. The conference is free to farmers and this is only possible with the generous support from sponsor partnerships. Farmers, sponsors & other participants welcome.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on February 8, 2010
I will be presenting on a panel with two other distinguished local leaders of the Northfield area at St. Olaf College’s 10th Annual Globalization and Social Responsibility Conference to take place on February 26 and 27th.
Here is an extract from the schedule on the 27th.
11:30-12:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: “Immigrant Activism and Empowerment“
The Lion’s Pause, Buntrock Commons
Panelists:
Beth Berry, Tackling Obstacles Raising College Hopes (T.O.R.C.H.), http://northfieldtorch.org/
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, http://www.startribune.com/ProjectCluck , Rural Enterprise Center, http://www.ruralec.com/
Janet Lewis Muth, Rice County Growing Up Healthy http://growinguphealthy.org/
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on February 2, 2010
There are bigger things to worry about, and they are closing in. Listen to this short story about food, soil, our existence and what it depends on, and then watch the whole homegrown film. After you are done, I hope you will be inspired to do at least two things:
- Plant a garden
- Find a farmer near you to partner with if you have already done this, then
- Become a member and a patron at your local food cooperative
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on January 26, 2010
From the document “Immigrants and the Economy” published by the Fiscal Policy Institute “Latinos constitute 46 percent
of the immigrant population in the country’s 25 largest metropolitan areas.” So what about the economic contributions? Check out the whole report, this is good strategic planning data if you are in economic development. Too bad it concentrates in urban centers though, we know well that the rural area is also benefiting from immigrant labor force and entrepreneurship.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on January 23, 2010
With the recent publicity that we have received, many of you reading the materials may be wondering where our products may be available.
Our production systems are being tested and production is limited by many factors, primarily the lack of processing infrastructure for poultry in our region, although we are close to solving this issue production will be limited for a while. On other products, we are setting up production as demand increases. Products are available directly from the farms in Cannon Falls and Northfield and through drop-sites in the Twin Cities.
To receive information on products, drop-sites and buying our products you must first sign-up to one of our mailing lists. Once signed-up, you will receive weekly updates and instructions.
If you live outside of the areas below, send us an e-mail and we will get in touch with you. Otherwise, just click the link according to which general area you live in and enter your e-mail and name.
NORTFIELD
CANNON FALLS
TWIN CITIES
