POLK COUNTY – It might be shocking to study that Polk and Burnett counties get extra web revenue via SNAP (meals stamps) than they do from farming. Residents of the 2 counties spend greater than $192 million annually on meals, however greater than 90% of the meals we eat is imported from elsewhere. With the common farmer getting $.14 of each greenback spent on meals, it is a sport changer for direct promoting farmers to set their very own value and get 100% of the earnings.
The St Croix Valley Meals Alliance (SCVFA) is a brand new initiative of the Polk-Burnett Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) centered on constructing group via native meals. Its mission is to strengthen and promote a thriving, resilient, and equitable native meals economic system within the St. Croix River Valley. The initiative was constructed by a steering committee of farmers and meals staff who’re obsessed with points associated to supporting farmers, meals safety, local weather change, and a wholesome watershed.
In Might 2022, with WFU as their fiscal sponsor, they submitted a grant to the USDA Native Meals Promotion Program. A requirement of the grant was to boost 25% of the quantity in matching funds from group companions. By group efforts, SCVFA was capable of meet the necessities of the grant. If the USDA provides them the opposite 75% in September, they’ll have the ability to rent a workers member, for 3 years, to coordinate the mechanisms that may put in place extra alternatives for a neighborhood meals economic system to increase.
Be taught extra about this thrilling initiative and how one can get entangled. The official launch occasion will happen on Wednesday, August 10 from 6:30-9:30 pm on the Neighborhood Homestead Farm, 501 280th St Osceola, WI. Everybody, farmers and eaters alike, is invited to have fun that household farms feed their communities.
Actions will embody free farm-fresh meals, a guided honey tasting, a movie debut that includes among the collaborating farmers, audio system, a farmer roundtable, and youngsters’s actions, together with a stay puppet present. Deb Ryun, Govt Director of the Wild River Conservancy, will share the significance of this work to maintain watersheds wholesome.
Nationwide Farmers Market Week (which started in 1999) is August 7-13 this 12 months. Have a good time the greater than eight,700 farmers’ markets throughout the nation. These markets supply contemporary and wholesome meals; protect native household farms; stimulate rural financial improvement; and supply long-term meals safety. Come meet your visionary farmers of the long run! A splendid time is assured for everybody!
Final up to date: August 06, 2022 1:49 pm CDT
