Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson, chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, is sponsoring a meeting on community-based food systems from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17.
This interactive meeting will be held in several locations throughout the Seventh Congressional District, including Bede Ballroom at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
“In my role as chairman, I’ve emphasized the importance of the growing markets for organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture as exciting new opportunities in agriculture,” Peterson said. “The purpose of this event is to share information about programs available in the 2008 Farm Bill that address these opportunities.
The meeting will be held simultaneously at four locations and all locations will be connected by interactive video. In addition to UMC, the meeting will be broadcast on campuses in Marshall, Morris and Bemidji. Representatives from USDA Rural Development and members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee staff will explain the various programs in detail, such as the Value Added Producers Grant, Rural Energy for America, Farmers Market Promotion Program, Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Research provisions, etc.
“Local food can provide opportunities for profit for farmers and other rural entrepreneurs and main street businesses who want to participate in processing and distributing food,” Peterson said. “This is an opportunity to learn how your community can use USDA programs as engines for economic development that will benefit farmers, rural communities, development organizations, businesses, and individuals.”
There is no charge for the forum. It is requested that those wanting to participate RSVP by registering at http://collinpeterson.house.gov, by calling Peterson's Red Lake Falls office at 218 253-4356 or emailing JoAnn.Zutz@mail.house.gov.
If you need additional information, contact Peterson's Economic Development Officer, Toni Merdan at 218 849-7344.
Crookston —
