Vision: To develop, strengthen and inspire a local food culture that improves the overall *wellbeing of the region.
Growing Acres is a grassroots initiative launched to inspire local foods and niche markets in the region.
It began with the creation of the Growing Acres Conference thru Riverland Community College’s Center for Agricultural and Food Science Technology who had received grant funding from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to provide an event that would:
Increase the knowledge, profits and number of local farmers/producers/growers.
Inspire and increase collaborations between local food and community on how to integrate local food and products into our communities (businesses, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, food companies, assisted living centers, etc.)
Connect producers in various stages of business development and a variety of niche markets to inspire, mentor and network with each other (with an emphasis on connecting beginning entrepreneurs with seasoned producers).
Further develop community and college resources to increase the capacity to work with producers to provide education, profit opportunities, tools and training.
Build the desire and resources to have ongoing discussions, opportunities and educational events to support niche markets and local foods.
The Center for Agricultural and Food Science Technology brought on community partners to help in the creation of this event. From the beginning, the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the idea of creating a local food culture was epic and the folks involved realized the need for a point of connection to further the work.
The advisory team, which at that time consisted of over 30 area folks that included Riverland staff members, local consultants, college students and community partners, created the Vision statement that would allow Growing Acres to grow beyond an event and launch into an initiative:
VISION: To develop, strengthen and inspire a local food culture that improves the overall wellbeing of the region.
WELLBEING includes: Physical, Mental, Economic, Environmental, Spiritual and Social
THE REGION: is undefined but includes local branches that are made up of the Austin area, Albert Lea area, Owatonna/Faribault area and Clear Lake/Mason City area.
From the initial work on the conference and the connections that were made during the process, the organizational framework and structure for the initiative was born. Our focus areas will be on EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT and LOCATIONAL IMPACT.
Utilizing the vast knowledge and resources that are available from organizations that are similar in their scope (Region 5, Sprout, Healthy Harvest) throughout the larger regions of Minnesota, Iowa and beyond, we aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel but discover systems that can be easily duplicated and have the capacity to be sustainable in our region. We will also be innovative and discover systems that others can duplicate and implement in their regions.
