My most recent local food discovery commences at the Wilder Forest located in the Marine on St. Croix. From within the forest, one will find a quaint non-profit organization known as the Minnesota Food Association (MFA). During the early 80’s, a development proposal threatened to etch out the City of St. Paul’s Farmers Market. Area residents banded together to find a solution and in 1983, MFA was born with a mission “to build a more sustainable food system.” Another progressively-minded MFA project is Big River Farms - the only area farmer training program to specifically support refugees, immigrants and minority farmers with their goal to become self-sufficient.
"We provide farmers with the skills and knowledge to operate their own viable organic and sustainable vegetable farms, while providing fresh, organic produce to local consumers."
In
order to be able to rent a plot, the trainees must also agree to
participate in a 10 month long classroom and field training. “We are not
teaching gardening, but rather how to grow and market quality produce in
order to gain the competitive edge needed in the commercial market,”
explained Glen Hill, MFA Executive Director. Farmers begin their
training in the winter by learning complex lessons such as Writing a Farm Business Plan and Intro to Organic Farming.
Trainees then move out to their individual farm plots for hands-on
learning and preparation for sales at local markets, Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA), and wholesale. “It is important that the farmers
learn how to communicate with buyers and how to prepare their vegetables
in a way that meets the safety and quality needs of the buyers which is
why their participation in our in-house CSA is a critical piece of the
training,” said Hill.
"It’s a joy to witness the farmers, many of whom live in small urban area apartments, in their resolve to breathe fresh air, have an open area to work with, and to be able to once again work with the land."
Aaron Blyth, MFA Farm Manager
Big River Farms and the CSA produce is certified organic. Weekly CSA
produce boxes contain a mixture of traditional vegetables such as
carrots and broccoli, as well as unique vegetables which may reflect the
farmers’ ethnic roots such as daikon radishes or bok choy. Buyers wary
about cooking unfamiliar vegetables should not worry as they will
receive a weekly newsletter describing the produce as well as
preparation ideas. As a supporting community member, you not only have
an opportunity to rise up to the challenge to eat healthier and learn
about new vegetables, but you are also supporting the development of a healthy,
sustainable local food system.
Many of the immigrant farmers who successfully complete their training such as Rodrigo Cala of Cala Farms, May Lee of Mhonpaj’s Garden, and Amy and Prouen Douen of Crazy Boy Farm go
on to realize their dream of having their own farm. "The time at MFA
was invaluable! There is no way we would be here without them and can't
thank them enough for all their help,” said Amy Douen, Owner of Crazy
Boy Farms.
What
are your Spring/Summer menu plans? Consider joining the Big River Farms
CSA and support neighbors working to bring you a healthy and
sustainable local food system. Food boxes can be dropped off at various
sites throughout the area.
Contact Aaron Blyth for more information about the CSA: 651-433-3676 brfcsa@mnfoodassociation.org
Leigh Ann Ahmad was dragged kicking and screaming to the Cities by her husband; having been born and bred in Cleveland, Ohio, she just could not fathom how colder could be better. Now, five years and two kids later, she cannot imagine a better place to play and thrive. She’s a reformed carb-aholic, wannabe writer, social justice advocate, book-club geek, veggie grower and local foods connoisseur. Her last article for SGT was about the 2012 maple syrup season with a recipe for granola bars!
