On May 10, GreenTown hosted a gathering of people who are interested in local food production and distribution. Specific topics addressed were: farmers markets, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, locally-raised livestock, and organic gardening. It was very exciting to begin imagining a Greensburg where fresh produce is readily available and local farmers and ranchers have an outlet for their products.
Several folks made the trip to Greensburg to share information about available resources and programs to help make this vision a reality. The afternoon’s first presenter was Dan Nagengast, who heads up the Kansas Rural Center (KRC) out of Whiting. KRC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1979 with a mission to promote the “long-term health of the land and its people through research, education, and advocacy”. They work to strengthen family farms and rural communities. KRC holds a vision of family farms, revitalized communities, a healthy environment, a safe regional food system, and people pursuing meaningful livelihoods. They offer both information and hope through their various projects and services. In addition to giving an overview of KRC, Nagengast gave an interesting presentation about high tunnels, a very simple technology that significantly increases a garden’s yields and extends the growing season.
Harry Bennett, Marketing Coordinator from the Kansas Organic Producers Association (KOP) in Marion, Kansas, spoke next. KOP is a marketing and bargaining cooperative for about 60 organic grain and livestock farmers located in Kansas and surrounding states. This co-op was organized in 1974 and since that time has done much to increase the demand for and sales of organic products. Their aim is to help create a sustainable future for family farmers, the environment and future generations.
Both Dan and Harry have farming backgrounds and had a lot of specific, helpful advice for local people who are interested in expanding and diversifying their operations. They answered questions about raising chickens, growing organic crops, increasing yields, and many other topics of interest to the audience.
Our third speaker was Brandon Prough from USDA-Rural Development, who gave a detailed overview of funding possibilities related to farmers markets and home production and energy efficiency. In his friendly, easy-going manner, Brandon shed light on the many aspects of production that may qualify for support through grants and loans.
We had a good exchange of information during this first conversation, and people left inspired by what might be possible locally, both within their individual lives and for the community as a whole. GreenTown staff will be involved in continuing the discussion, and helping get the word out about what is already happening locally. Many thanks to GreenTown volunteer Bill Hanlon for getting the ball rolling with this first meeting and extending the invitations to the days’ speakers.
Local growers, gardeners, ranchers, and bakers are invited to be a part of this exciting unfoldment. Are you interested in growing produce, or providing meat or eggs from your farm to the local community? How about offering baked goods, or other homemade products your neighbors could purchase? Get in touch with us, and we’ll connect you to the right people. If you’d be interested in attending future meetings of this nature, please call or email us to get on the mailing list. (620-723-2790 or info@greensburggreentown.org) Where our food comes from and how it is grown is a very green topic, and is an important piece of creating a sustainable, livable Greensburg.
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 04:47PM by 
