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Learn about FARRMS Role

North Central Regional
Food Business Center

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.

Through the North Dakota Local Food Development Alliance's key partner role in the project, FARRMS has been hired to fulfill The Alliance’s role in the NC-RFBC for the first year because of our existing connections to local food businesses and through our business planning education, one-on-one technical assistance, and micro-loans to grow local food businesses. In several regions the regional planning councils are hiring FARRMS to support the planning, outreach, and facilitation of community input meetings. FARRMS will also prepare and distribute a survey to local food businesses to gather input on the unique needs and assets of each region. The community input meetings and survey will inform the development of the regional and statewide local food action plans. FARRMS will also provide education and technical assistance to local food businesses in alignment with the regional and statewide action plans.

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Co-operatives and FARRMS are leading a statewide ND Local Food Producer Survey for the North Central USDA Regional Food Business Center. The purpose of this survey is to to gather input from farmers to better understand the needs of producers across the state. We want to learn what North Dakota’s local food producers need to be successful and where there are opportunities to expand local food markets. Survey responses will guide the provision of grants and loans, technical assistance programs, producer training programs, and the development of new markets for locally grown food and ag products. The survey is part of a mission to help farmers and businesses grow and connect with target markets, and expand their capacity and impact.

Local Food Producer Survey