Due to the change in Administration, a funding freeze has been placed on our American Rescue Plan Act contract, which was budgeted for programming in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Because the future is not clear, we had to lay off several of our amazing part-time team members. We thank them for their generosity of spirit as they continue to give us their time, energy, and support for the good of our organization and our community.

 

Regarding our 2024 Local Food Purchase Assistance grant contract, we have been told by our friends at the MN Department of Agriculture that our 2024 invoices are now being processed with the USDA. We hope that the federal government honors our  binding contract to deliver services to our people, and honors contracts with farmers and other businesses who had signed contract agreements moving into 2025. 

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​As we look back on 2024, we are grateful for all of the dedicated farmers, volunteers, educators, grantors and donors that helped us accomplish many of our goals. Here are some of our highlights:

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Century Pine Farm: We leased an 11 acre farm and were able to aggregate produce in coordination with 14 farmers from the location. We brought in a large shed, build a washing/packing station, purchased a new refrigerated trailer for the site, and brought in loads of supplies for everything from cultivating to wholesale shipping boxes.  In 2025, the farmers will take over the lease and the property management, and the Village will continue to support by supplying a bathroom, liability insurance, and guidance on programming. We will also maintain the amenities of the cooler and packshed, and are working to connect farmers with local markets. 

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​​​​​$112,000 in produce sales through Local Food Purchase Agreement, a contract with the MDA and USDA: We were awarded funding to purchase produce from our farmers and donate it to local food shelves. Partner organizations including The Good Acre and Channel One also received this funding, and also purchased food from our farmers. This had a positive economic impact for our farming entrepreneurs. ​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Continued Partnerships with Mayo Clinic and SMIF:  Big thanks to these funders for their exceptional continued support for entrepreneurial development and operational support.  Through our partnership with Mayo Clinic, we also continued to participate in cancer prevention and awareness education efforts, with our farmers continuing to advocate for cancer-fighting vegetables!! 

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Year three of the farmer's market, and the opening of a second market:  Our partnership with the History Center continues to flourish, and our market grew again this season with more patrons and vendors than ever before!! With weekly live music and a weekly food truck, we hope you'll visit us on Tuesdays in 2025 from 4 - 7 pm. Our first market will be June 24th and take place at Rochesterfest in Soldiers Field. "Ignite your Spark" and cheer for us in the parade on Saturday!! 

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​Land Access forward momentum: We continue to work closely with partners to actualize land ownership for our organization and for our historically marginalized farming communities.

 

​American Rescue Plan Act, USDA: In coordination with Big River Farms, The Food Group and two other incubator farms, we completed year two of our five year contract with the USDA to provide technical assistance to farmers. This program helped us to further educate farmers and assist them in significant economic gains as they learned to harvest, wash, pack, and market their produce through various local markets and purchase agreements. In 2025, this funding is on hold by the new Trump administration, and it is unclear if we will be allowed to utilize any further support from this program.  

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What we still urgently need: Funding for staffing!! Market support! Musicians for market! We need further funding for our market coordinator position and would like to hire ½ time office support staff and marketing support. Thank you!