Peterson sponsoring interactive meeting on community-based food systems

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Collin Peterson, Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, is sponsoring a meeting on community-based food systems from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17. This interactive meeting will be held in several locations throughout the Seventh Congressional District.

“In my role as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve emphasized the importance of the growing markets for organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture as exciting new opportunities in agriculture,” Peterson said. “The purpose of this event is to share information about programs available in the 2008 Farm Bill that address these opportunities.

The meeting will be held simultaneously at four locations as noted below and all locations will be connected by interactive video. Representatives from USDA Rural Development and members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee staff will explain the various programs in detail, such as the Value Added Producers Grant, Rural Energy for America , Farmers Market Promotion Program, Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Research provisions, etc.

“Local food can provide opportunities for profit for farmers and other rural entrepreneurs and main street businesses who want to participate in processing and distributing food,” Peterson said. “This is an opportunity to learn how your community can use USDA programs as engines for economic development that will benefit farmers, rural communities, development organizations, businesses, and individuals.”

The meeting will be held at these locations:

Southwest Minnesota State University , Marshall

Conference Center, Lower Ballroom

University of Minnesota, Crookston

Bede Ballroom, upper level of Student Center

University of Minnesota , Morris

Media Services, Humanities Fine Arts Building (#58 on map)

Bemidji State University

Deputy Hall, Room #111 (#3 on map)

There is no charge to attend this meeting. We do ask that you RSVP by registering on my website at http://collinpeterson.house.gov, by calling my Red Lake Falls District office at 218-253-4356 or via email at JoAnn.Zutz@mail.house.gov. If you need additional information about the meeting, please feel to contact my Economic Development Officer, Toni Merdan at 218-849-7344 or visit my website at http://collinpeterson.house.gov for the agenda and other materials.

Click Here for the full Agenda

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