RURAL FOOD SYSTEM PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IN FINLAND, MINNESOTA

This project has eight objectives cenetering around researching, planing, and programming design around several food system issues. We will explore the following food system issues, working collaboartively with our partner organizations: food aggregationa nd distribution, emerging farmer training, localized meat processing, and boradening community education classes. Our guiding objectives for these goals are:1. Identify community champions and current Friends of Finland staff that would like to lead the reasearch and project devlopment for each issue. Support each project lead with team reasources and skills.2. Host regular community outreach events to inform the public of Food Chain happenings, and provide regular opportunities for local individuals to get involved with projects3. Engage community memebrs and leaders in project research4. Clearly identify current gaps in our food system through community survey data- what are people most concerned about and what issues can the Food Chain address?5. Research and plan all apsects of a food aggregation and distribution center program, working with the Finland Co-op to ensure that the program supports both the business and the public need.6. Explore the idea of a meat processing unit or facility in Finland.7. Research and develop a farmer training program in collaboration with Wolf Ridge ELC.8. Plan food and agriculture classes for the local community in collaboration with the Agroecology Center