Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on November 12, 2009
We posed this question to a group of farmers, food business owners, building/metal contractors, and low-income families in the Northfield/Faribault area. Their response was a solid “YES, it can work.” Of course, if you have ever been at a rally where an energetic speaker gets everyone motivated about something, it is easy to chant “yes, we can.” And even if one does not completely understand whether one actually “can,” it still feels good. Our challenge was to move beyond possibilities and excitement, and figure out how we could turn everyone’s aspirations — especially those of the low-income families (all Latino) — into a successful partnership.
Here is how we made that happen:
First, we worked on a plan for a two-week project to process over 3,000 free range chickens from our two start-up farms in Northfield and Cannon Falls (please don’t try this at home). For the plan to work, we had to secure a physical site on one of the farms, find basic processing equipment, fully pre-train one or two of us on the whole system, design a layout, and complete many other tasks associated with organizing the project and the people. We also needed some cash to purchase basic supplies (boxes, packaging material, ice, LP gas, etc.).
Thousand Hills Cattle Company lent our cooperative (Hillside Farmers Cooperative) the money to purchase the basic processing equipment. Prink Oakridge Farm in Cannon Falls figured out the freezer truck with Thousand Hills, driving and operating the unit, and unloading at the storage facility. Cannon River Machine, figured out the layout and basic processing skills needed so that a team could be trained on the specifics of each aspect of the processing. They also built a large 2 by 8 foot steel platform so we could build a fire under it and heat a large tub of water (saving time and LP gas).
Our program found financial support to cover some of the supplies and materials. Both farms contributed part of their production to compensate each individual who participated in the processing, providing them with a supply of poultry that will feed their families all winter.
A community organizer in Faribault worked to organize 14 individuals to do the processing. In the course of one and a half weeks, we all took turns loading chickens into cages, bringing them over to the site, switching jobs when someone got too tired, wet, cold or all of the above. All this happened during the two weeks that it rained non-stop and got really cold as well. It was physically demanding work under miserable conditions. It was almost as if some higher power was seeing if we would give up on the whole project.
When we finished, all of the birds had been processed and 12 individuals had learned how to do this work efficiently and cost effectively, achieving very competitive production levels. They worked happily and in a relaxed atmosphere. Some children came and played, observed their parents working together, and watched a mix of people of different skin color and backgrounds interact as if issues of race had never existed. Much more happened while this community enterprise took shape. Of course, one part we did not hold back on was the enjoyment of the best chicken stews and grilled chicken you have ever tried.
These families will be ready to start again next spring when the production season begins. Going forward, more families in our region will learn that community supported agriculture includes growing chickens, but also processing them right on the farm for freshness and health. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll have more opportunities to connect with each other as a community, while supporting those who have been left behind in our current economic system.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on November 4, 2009
Just saw this link at Dayna Burtness’ facebook page, Dayna is conducting research on farming practices by suppliers of Bon Appétit: Farm to Fork program. Great opportunity to learn more from our neighbor farmers Ben and Erin at Open Hands Farm.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on September 3, 2009
During August, Hillside Farmers Cooperative was organized to create the coordinating infrastructure for the SE MN free range poultry farming and distribution system. This is an strategic step aim at establishing a support and coordinating infrastructure to launch farming operations and distribution partnerships in the region.
As usual, we are looking for ways to engage the larger regional population in building this regional food system. If you are a farmer, write to us through our contact form and let us know if you grow grains or have land (4 acres or more) that you would like to commit to free range production in partnership with a new immigrant family.
If you live in any of the communities within the outlined region please sign up to any of the established mailing list and start purchasing poultry from the established farms or contact us if you are from a different city and would like to help us build a support network to launch a free range poultry operation in your area.
As the poultry operations grow, we will add vegetable production to fully utilize the composted manure that the poultry generates, will add grain processing and distribution to supply the feed for the poultry farms and other value added components.
Here are the cities where we are currently developing a support infrastructure, please click and sign up if you want to receive updates on the activities in your area and to purchase poultry at a local farm or through one of our local drop-sites.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on August 31, 2009
The easiest way to stay connected and purchase poultry from Hillside Farmers Cooperative members is to sign-up to either of the two targeted mailing lists. As a subscriber you will receive information pertaining to especial events, open hours, weekly reminders with instructions to the farms and other information.
All communications are concentrated on making sure that we bring as many families to the farm as possible not only to purchase products, but because building a local food systems requires engagement, knowing the farmers, sharing knowledge, and creating connectedness, especially for the children. A visit to one of our farms is an experience by itself for the children, so if you have children, bring them along and walk around and show them where food really comes from.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on August 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kat Vann, Main Street Project, (612) 879-7578
Innovative Free-Range Poultry Operation Launches in Cannon Falls Media is invited to tour Prink’s Farm on Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. 11055 – 317 St., Cannon Falls
CANNON FALLS, Minn. – The Rural Enterprise Center, a program of Main Street Project, is pleased to announce the launch of a unique, new free-range poultry operation in Cannon Falls. Prink’s Farm is the second member of the new Hillside Farmers Cooperative to deploy the Rural Enterprise Center model for raising free-range poultry and other products using sustainable farming practices. The innovative model builds on the experiences, culture and knowledge in intensive farming systems that new immigrants bring to the southern Minnesota region, while incorporating the resources of established farmers looking for ways to diversify their farms and support the community.
Todd Prink, owner of Prink’s Farm, is an investment manager and life-long Cannon Falls farmer who began raising organic products in 1985. The new poultry operation is a partnership between Prink and Eladio Evan-de Carpio and family – another member of the co-op. “As a long-time farmer, it’s very exciting to be part of something with this much potential,” says Prink. “We’re working together to raise happy, healthy and great-tasting chickens, and actually improving the environment in the process.”
The first poultry operation, called Finca Mirasol (“Sunflower Farm”), began a year ago and is located in Northfield. The co-op has a distribution partnership with Thousand Hills Cattle Company, also of Cannon Falls. Both co-op locations also sell whole chickens direct to the public.
“This is an important step in building out what we call an ‘economic unit’ in the development system,” explained Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director and model’s creator. “We’ll continue to improve the system’s efficiency while also offering a superior product to local and regional customers.”
The public can purchase Hillside Farmers Cooperative free-range chickens or tour Prink’s Farm operations on Saturdays, 8 a.m. – noon, beginning Aug. 22 through Oct. 31. Prink’s Farm is located at 11055 – 317 St., Cannon Falls, and will sell Finca Mirasol poultry until their own flock matures.
The Rural Enterprise Center is a program of Main Street Project that focuses on economic development. Our mission is to strengthen communities by bringing together the support infrastructure, resources and projects that rural Latino entrepreneurs need to succeed. For more information, visit ruralEC.com or MainStreetProject.org.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on August 19, 2009
I visited Prink’s Farm yesterday as they get ready to deploy their first free range poultry production unit. Todd Prink who also runs IEA Wealth Management in downtown Canon Falls, dedicated half an acre for a free range poultry training site at his farm just East of the city, and has set aside 8 acres as part of a partnership aimed at launching Eladio Carpio-de-Evans and another family as producer.
Eladio will continue to build productive units for a total of 8 in 4 of the 8 acres set aside. While this is happening, another family will be trained at the unit currently under construction. This unit is designed to train families on free range poultry production, once the training facilities are fully built, there will be opportunities for families to train on one or two of up to 12 different farming enterprises through these small scale units.
This training unit is being built with financing support from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, contributions by Prink’s Farm, and Robert Fales of Cannon River Machines. This is the second training unit to be deployed and the first fully operational free range poultry farm under deployment. In order to make this production units compatible with small scale agriculture systems, with the economic conditions of Latino families in our region, and with the needs of established farmers to test our system at a low risk, we have designed buildings, pasture paddocks, management processes and applied agronomical sciences that maximizes the return per area of production but can start with as little as half an acre.
The Rural Enterprise Center is a program of Main Street Project that focuses on economic development. Our mission is to strengthen communities by bringing together the support infrastructure, systems, resources and programs that rural entrepreneurs need to succeed. More...
Farmers connected with the Agripreneur Training Center may become members of the Hillside Farmers Cooperative. Co-op members produce free-range poultry and other naturally grown farm products in southeastern Minnesota. The co-op connects Latino immigrants with established farmers, helping families and the whole community thrive.
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A community organizer in Faribault worked to organize 14 individuals to do the processing. In the course of one and a half weeks, we all took turns loading chickens into cages, bringing them over to the site, switching jobs when someone got too tired, wet, cold or all of the above. All this happened during the two weeks that it rained non-stop and got really cold as well. It was physically demanding work under miserable conditions. It was almost as if some higher power was seeing if we would give up on the whole project.
learn that community supported agriculture includes growing chickens, but also processing them right on the farm for freshness and health. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll have more opportunities to connect with each other as a community, while supporting those who have been left behind in our current economic system.
