Join us for the first of a three-part series as we identify goals
​& work together to strengthen our local food economy. 

Farm-to-School ​​Challenges & Opportunities
​for Local Producers

Tuesday, December 3rd

6:00 - 8:00 pm

"It’s important to assess the challenges and opportunities with Farm 2 School for producers in our area.
​This training is an open door for producers and buyers of all sizes to come together to do just that.
The start of something that may take many seasons before we get it right.
Please, join us in identifying a path forward for economic growth in our regional food system."​
- Quinn Renfandt, Board Chair of Red River Harvest Co-op
Agenda for Tues. Dec 3rd, 2024

5:30 PM - Social/Welcome

6:00 PM - Introductions + Agenda Review 

6:15 PM - Guest Speaker Michelle Wagner of Bismarck Public Schools

6:40 PM - Producer Panel: Family Farms Navigating Farm-2-School Opportunities
 
7:10-ish PM Break

7:20 PM - Breakout sessions; in-person and online sessions will be facilitated.

 7:50 - 8:00 PM Large Group Share & Closing
​Options to participate in-person or online
Food & social gathering begins at 5:30 pm for those attending in-person
Featuring: 
Guest Speaker

Michelle Wagner

​Child Nutrition Director
Bismarck Public Schools

 Hi, I’m Michelle Wagner, a registered dietitian, and the Child Nutrition Program Director for Bismarck Public Schools.  I’m currently in my 10th year with BPS and have been working on growing our Farm to School Program for the past 8 years.  I enjoy curling, golfing, and spending time with my family at Lake Metigoshe.

Farm-2-School Producer Panel

2 specialty-crop produce growers discuss their Farm-2-School experience, answer questions, and provide insight into the challenges they have faced with these opportunities. 

Allison Rian
AlliCat Farm

Allison Rian is famously quoted by her farmer friends as saying, “The more I learn about farming, the less I want to be a farmer.” She was a sustainable farming fan and local food champion, but the reality of needing a full-time job and being a full-time mom made little room for anything else. When circumstances changed for her family and she was able to reevaluate her priorities, starting a diversified vegetable farm was the obvious next step toward health and happiness. Now Allison and her husband Scott own and operate AlliCat Farm in Aitkin, MN, where their motto is, “Food that nourishes, land that thrives.” Allison has served as the Aitkin Farmers’ Market Hub manager for 3 years and has no plans to stop shortening supply chains, championing local businesses, and working for the chaotic good.

Jonathon Moser
​Forager Farm

Jonathon Moser started organically gardening over 20 years ago. He has spent the last two decades learning and directly working on local and regional food systems. He spent some time working in the non-profit sector of alternative agriculture and food systems, but has always been more at home practicing what he preaches. He is passionate about changing food culture and helping communities realize that they are a part of the ecosystem that they live in. In 2014, Jonathon and Hannah (his wife and business partner) started Forager Farm providing the highest quality organic produce and microgreens as well as artisanal sourdough baked products made from regionally sourced organic flours. Currently we are trying to grow our business to a sustainable level to provide a solid example of how a local food business can be built to not just provide us liveable wages but also provide employment and economic development to our part of North Dakota.

Farm-to-School Breakout Sessions

Join in the conversation! 
Collaborate with farmers, ranchers,
and food buyers to strengthen local connections in our community.

Bring your Voice to the Table.

We invite you to fill out our
Pre-Workshop Survey to share your thoughts about Farm-2-School.
Let's Talk Local Food Workshop: Farm-2-School Challenges & Opportunites
- a conversation for Local Producers and School Professionals -

Location