FARRMS Is Coming to Fargo

By Jeni Hill
Staff Writer

The words local, sustainable, green, and organic have proven to be more than just buzzwords. Efforts by North Dakotans to make foods more local and accessible, plant organic gardens everywhere, to preserve heirloom seeds, empower farmers growing specialty crops, and advocate for the right to choose non-genetically modified foods are making headlines. These efforts are all a part of an encompassing movement that advocates for better food and food systems. A movement that continues to gain momentum in the greater Fargo-Moorhead and a movement that is here to stay. FARRMS is arriving in Fargo.

From the town of Medina, ND, the nonprofit FARRMS works to increase the number of small farms by empowering them and their communities to be more sustainable. Small farms that practice sustainable and organic agricultural practices face many obstacles, despite growing demand from consumers. These obstacles include a lack of educational programs and difficulties securing loans from conventional banks. In order to “further the sustainability of thriving farms and rural communities”, as stated in FARRMS’ mission, FARRMS offers many educational opportunities taught by experienced professionals in the field, and its facility includes a state-of-the-art classroom, boardroom and growing multimedia library. Because of the difficulties in securing loans from conventional banks, FARRMS offers grants and loans to farmers that include not only financial assistance, but also educational and networking opportunities. Mentorships connect farmers with experienced professionals from livestock to marketing. Often, it is difficult to find local and organic foods in stores and consumers may not know how to connect with farms for product. FARRMS tackles this additional challenge by helping farms and consumers meet in the marketplace so farms can sell their product and customers can find local and organic foods. Through its support of The Farm Breeding Club that grows heirloom seeds, FARRMS is also apart of the growing movement preserving biodiversity.

On December 2nd and 3rd, FARRMS will host two unique events focusing on sustainability as it relates to all aspects of farming and the culture of eating. Tickets are still available. Both events will feature Joel Salatin, a third generation alternative farmer of Polyface Farms and author from Shenandoah Valley, VA. Polyface Farms is operated by Salatin’s family and has been featured in major media from Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, to National Geographic and Gourmet magazine. Congruent with the mission of FARRMS, Polyface also advocates for sustainable and organic farming practices and leads by example by providing educational opportunities and connecting their bounty with consumers.

FARRMS Sustainable U, a one-day workshop, will occur Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, and will provide a valuable learning and network opportunity for those involved and interested in sustainable farming. This event will highlight local producers and advocates from North Dakota and Minnesota, including Fargo’s own Dr. Abby Gold, NDSU Extension and Probstfield Farm, who will present research from May’s Scaling Up Local Foods Research Symposium. As a result of discussions that occurred during May’s symposium on local foods, Gold hopes to discuss “research needs around understanding best practices and approaches that will bring about change to our food system in order to accommodate more local and regional foods.” Gold also hopes the USDA’s SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program will further facilitate the development of a more healthy, sustainable, and accessible food system across North Dakota.

Cindy Gomez-Schempp Interviews Joel Salatin at the FARRM Sustainable U Conference on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Attendees of FARRMS Sustainable U can attend six break-out sessions facilitated by local experts covering a variety of topics relating to all aspects of sustainable farming, from pasteurized poultry production and farm breeding to buying, selling, and eating locally. Tickets for the entire event cost $100 and include lunch. 

The evening prior to Sustainable U, FARRMS will host “The Art of Eating” dinner and a movie at Mezzaluna on Fri., Dec. 2nd at 5:30 p.m. The three-course dinner featuring local food will include Country-style Greek salad for the first course, Maxwell’s chicken or vegetarian strudel with blackberry jalapeno salsa, spiced sweet potato mash, and beet chips for the second course, and traditional apple pie with dried cranberry compote and vanilla cream alongside coffee for dessert. In addition to the dinner, Salatin will speak about “The Art of Eating” and realities of industrial farming. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction and view the award-winning documentary Farmageddon in its North Dakota premier. Salatin is interviewed in this film that discusses how agribusiness and policy threatens small, local farmers and the ongoing push by consumers choose the foods they want to eat. “We are confident the Art of Eating will be an event to remember,” said Annie Carlson, executive director of FARRMS. “Joel Salatin delivers and this is his first visit to North Dakota and he graciously accepted our invitation to this special dinner and movie event.” This event is limited to 70 tickets available to purchase for $100 each.

In summary, “FARRMS works with small farmers. Events like Sustainable U and the Art of Eating raise the awareness of the need and economic benefits to small communities,” said Sue Balcom, marketing and outreach coordinator for FARRMS. “It’s also a wonderful way to network with like minded people and build on relationships that lead to better fresher food for all.”

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IF YOU GO

FARRMS Sustainable U
Where: The Holiday Inn, Fargo, 3803 13th Ave. S.
When: Sat., Dec. 3, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Cost: $100 for the first person and $50 for each additional family member.
Tickets: Call 701-486-3569 or register online at http://www.farrms.org.

“The Art of Eating” dinner and Farmageddon movie premier with Joel Salatin
Where: The Mezzaluna
When: Fri., Dec. 2, 5:30-10 p.m.
Cost: $100 per ticket
Tickets: Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 701-486-3569