Feeding our Community: Small Farms and Rural Economic Development

Contacts: Jason Montgomery-Riess, 715-768-0719 Josh Bryceson, 715-239-5127 Feeding our Community: Making the Case for Community Based Food Systems in Western Wisconsin Public Presentation Thursday, October 24th Amery High School Cafeteria. Agriculture is on the menu for discussion here in Western WI and Polk County. What will Northwest Wisconsins future look like? What role will agriculture have in shaping that future? The Polk Burnett Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union is hosting a public presentation by Community Food Systems analyst Ken Meter. Meter will make the case that putting agriculture at the heart of a community plan will build a sustainable future for our region Amery and Northwest Wisconsin built a proud tradition of agriculture and manufacturing, but both sectors have declined in recent decades. Manufacturing income has fallen slightly, while low commodity prices, especially in dairy, place the survival of family farms in jeopardy. Now the largest source of personal income in Polk County is transfer payments from public programs, including pensions and unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, over the past 50 years, farmers and consumers in Northwest Wisconsin are patiently building new approaches to food and to family farming. How will these small businesses play a role in shaping Amery’s future? Farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers in Northwest Wisconsin are building new approaches to food and to family farming. How will these small businesses play a role in shaping Western Wisconsin’s future? Light fare made from locally raised farm goods served.