We see possibilities.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on April 28, 2012
I recently participated at a panel organized by Slate Magazine and the New America Foundation with other key partners. The videos are now organized according to the panels and here is the one to the one I participated in.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on March 13, 2012
The Grow a Farmer Fund campaign, a partnership between Main Street Project, Just Food Cooperative and Renewing the Countryside this campaign is getting going with local attention growing. The Northfield news just posted an article I thought described it best. To contribute to the fund one does not have to be a gardener just go to the on-line giving site. It does not matter where in the world one is these days, you can contribute to this local effort anytime, anywhere. Our hope is that everyone out there will realize that we don’t just need naturally grown healthy foods, we need change in the food and agriculture systems and infrastructure as well. By change we mean ownership and control of infrastructure and resources, and this change needs to include paths for minorities to participate fully and equally. Financing is the tallest barrier to overcome and to solve this we need everybody to pitch in with a small contribution to this fund so we can start this structural changes that are so badly needed.
Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on February 20, 2012
Last February 14th, Senator Julie A. Rosen of Senate District 24 introduced S.F. No. 1713 -Immigrant and Minority Microloan program to the Agriculture and Rural Economics committee. I was invited to testify on behalf of this bill and I am happy to report that it passed the committee unanimously.
This bill is part of the work that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been doing to respond to the increasing demand for services, especially financial services to bridge the gap between aspiring immigrant and minority farmers who can’t access conventional lending to get started on their farming dreams.
Although our organization is working hard to build infrastructure that can deliver financing to the farmers we work with, the challenge is really overwhelming when we look at the larger landscape of opportunity to bring alternative economic development opportunities to our rural communities. This bill is a very important step in a process of building a culture of support, tolerance, and diversity. It is especially a step towards removing structural barriers that keep promising agriculture entrepreneurs from contributing their full potential to our rural and urban food and agriculture landscape.
Along with me, Ly Vang of the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota, and Susan Stokes of the Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) in St. Paul also testified on behalf of this bill.
Posted by admin on September 19, 2011
Join the conversation on “Food Justice — Not Just for Foodies” on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m. at Minneapolis’ Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar.
Posted by Kblanchard on April 29, 2011
How can you support the next generation of farmers? What role can our community play in a sustainable regional food system?
Rural Enterprise Center is eager to invite you to join the conversation at a FREE event co- sponsored with Just Food Co-op and the Northfield Arts Guild.
The event is Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater
(311 W. Third Street, Northfield).
Look Who’s Knockin’, is a new one-act play from Land Stewardship Project, coming to Northfield for one night only. The 45-minute play focuses on a retiring farm couple’s dilemma as they wrestle with the future of their farm.
After the play we’ll have a panel and community discussion moderated by Ken Meter, economist and president of Crossroads Resource Center, with a panel including Melanie Reid, Just Food Co-op general manager and Reginaldo (Regi) Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center director.
Refreshments will provided from Just Food Co-op.
Call (507) 650-0106 or stop by Just Food Co-op to reserve your FREE ticket. Or email us, and we’ll reserve a seat for you!
This is sure to be a wonderful, enlightening evening. Invite friends & neighbors! We look forward to seeing you there!
The Rural Enterprise Center is a program of
Main Street Project that focuses on enterprise development. Our mission is to strengthen communities by bringing together the support infrastructure, systems, resources and programs that rural entrepreneurs need to succeed. More...
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