Region 3 Community Input Meeting

North Central Planning Council and the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) invite the public to a free community meeting on November 14, 2023 from 5:00pm to 5:30pm at the Heritage Hall Meeting Room (1801 College Drive N. Devils Lake, ND 58301). Arrive at 5:00pm for an evening meal and networking opportunity with the meeting beginning at 5:30pm. A remote participation option is available for those who cannot attend in person. Please RSVP if you plan to attend in person or remotely by November 10, 2023.

North Central Planning Council and FARRMS are holding this meeting to learn from attendees what is needed to grow local food businesses and strengthen local food production in North Dakota’s Region 3. These organizations are collaborating to stimulate economic opportunities and aid in the creation of a more diversified and resilient food system as part of the North Central Regional Food Business Center (NC-RFBC). We invite anyone who is involved in producing, processing, aggregating, distributing, or marketing local food in Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, and Towner county. This includes farmers and ranchers, Extension agents, grocery store owners, farmers market vendors and managers, school nutrition professionals, food pantry staff and volunteers, restaurants and more. The meeting will include facilitated discussions on what opportunities and challenges exist for local food businesses. The information gathered at this meeting and from an online survey will inform an Action Plan which will be used to bring in new financial and technical support for new and existing local food businesses in Region 3.

The North Central Regional Food Business Center (NC-RFBC) focuses on expanding small and mid-sized agricultural value chains in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The goal is to support smaller, more resilient farm and food practices and strengthen local food businesses, specifically focusing on the development of critical infrastructure for small and mid-size livestock processing, fruit and vegetable processing and warehouse space and storage operations. The partnering organizations in these states will create regional and statewide action plans for local food systems, connect local food businesses to supportive resources, and offer Business Builder grants to support local food value chains.

Learn more about North Central Planning Council by going to http://www.northcentralplanningcouncil.com/ and follow them on Facebook. Discover more about FARRMS' programs on their website at www.farrms.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @farrms.nd.