Local food as Economic Recovery

Today we had the Ken Meter's presentation in the MCC tittled "Local Food as Economic Recovery".

During his presentation people from Marshall County learned some opportunities that farmers have to reactivate the local economy, some of the key points of his presentation were:

• There are 39,000 residents in the county who earn a $1.3 billion each year.
• 26% of the population is below of the poverty line.
• The county has 928 farmers, from those 37% sell less than $10,000 and other 37% sell more than $100,000 at year.
• There are only 13 vegetables farms in the county in 43 acres
• Theres are 13 orchards in 25 acres
• Only 8 farms sell organic produces.
• Last year, Marshall County farmers sold $175 millions and spent $171 millions to produce that, meaning that their gains were of $4 millions
  

Growing Food

Hi all!!

These are Ramona and Beningno, two of the MCC Farmers that are growing organic food. In their farm they have tomatoes, onions, potatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes and some other great stuff.

En nombre de COMIDA (Condado de Marshall Invirtiendo en Agricultura Diversificada), tenemos el gusto de invitarle a la primera de tres reuniones donde hablaremos de los planes que se tienen para formar un sistema local alimentario en Marshalltown. La cita es el Jueves 4 de junio de 2009, de 10:00 am a 12:00 pm en el Salón Dejardin del Marshalltown Community College.

El orador principal será Ken Meter del Crossroads Resource Center, quien reside en Minneapolis, Minnesota, y el cual presentará los resultados de su investigación sobre el impacto económico y social de la producción y la distribución de alimentos en el Condado de Marshall. Ken es un destacado experto en sistemas de evaluación y planificación para el desarrollo económico de las comunidades. Estamos seguros que la presentación será de su interés, y que cambiará de manera radical su punto de vista acerca del consumo y la producción de alimentos.

Concientes del importante rol que Usted tiene en el Condado de Marshall, le invitamos a participar con sus ideas para la creación de un sistema local alimentario, sobre todo por el momento de cambio que vive la industria de alimentos en el país; industria en la cual usted trabaja de manera diaria y conoce mejor que nadie. Con este momento de cambio, existe un creciente interés por saber de donde vienen nuestros alimentos y por tener seguridad alimentaria en nuestros hogares; a los consumidores les interesa saber de dónde viene su comida, cómo se cultiva y por quién. Del mismo modo, el aumento en la demanda de frutas, hortalizas, carne y productos lácteos frescos ha creado una oportunidad de desarrollo económico para productores, restaurantes y tiendas de abarrotes por igual.

Esperamos contar con su asistencia y participación para definir el futuro de nuestro sistema local alimentario en el Condado de Marshall. Por favor, confirme su asistencia con Ramona López al 641-91-5584 ó con Carman Rosburg de Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation Development antes del 2 de junio al 515-232-0048 o por correo electrónico a crosburg@prrcd.org. Gracias.

Saludos cordiales

Meeting to discuss the formation of a local foods system plan in Marshalltown and Marshall County

On behalf of COMIDA (County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture), you are cordially invited to the first in a series of three meetings to discuss the formation of a local foods system plan in Marshalltown and Marshall County on Thursday, June 4, 2009. This meeting will be held in Dejardin Hall at Marshalltown Community College from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Our keynote speaker will be Ken Meter of the Crossroads Resource Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota who will share his research on the potential economic and social impacts of agriculture and local foods production and distribution in Marshall County. Ken is a noted expert in evaluation and systems planning around community economic development, with a specialization in rural and ethnic communities. You will find Ken’s presentation on the Marshall County food economy to be quite eye opening, and possibly, change the way you view food production and consumption.

As an influential member of Marshall County’s professional community, we invite your insight into the creation of a local foods system plan that may be a critical future component of your local community infrastructure. In light of recent food security and food safety issues across the nation, there is growing interest in knowing where our food comes from, how it was grown/raised and by whom. Similarly, increasing consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy has created an economic development opportunity for producers, restaurants and groceries alike.

We hope you can plan to attend as your participation and input will provide great insight into the future of a local food system plan for Marshall County. Please respond to Carman Rosburg at Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation Development if you plan to attend by June 2^nd at 515-232-0048 or via email at crosburg@prrcd.org . Thank you.

Best regards,

John Paulin

Coordinator, Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation and Development