MAIN STREET PROJECT
105 4TH ST E NO 213, NORTHFIELD, MN 55057 mainstreetproject.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: TO INCREASE ACCESS TO RESOURCES, SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND BUILD POWER IN ORDER TO CREATE A SOCIALLY, ECONOMICALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEM.

WE CONTINUED THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR 100-ACRE RESEARCH FARM AS A REGIONAL DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING CENTER FOCUSED ON BUILDING LOCAL FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCY, CREATING WEALTH AND STRENGTHENING SOCIAL COHESION. WE ARE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR TRANSITION TO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND NOTWITHSTANDING DECADES OF CHEMICAL INTENSIVE FARMING, WE ALREADY SEE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SOIL HEALTH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:-SECURED INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION AND WORKING AGRICULTURE LAND EASEMENTS WITH DAKOTA COUNTY THAT THAT WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR STRATEGIC CONSERVATION INVESTMENTS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AND REGIONS.-ESTABLISHED A COMMUNITY AREA OF THE FARM INCLUDING AN ORCHARD, POLYCULTURES, LAND-SHARE PROGRAM AND DEMONSTRATION GARDEN FOR MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES.-PROVIDED 11 IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WITH GARDEN SPACE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT.-EXPANDED OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA TO INCLUDE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION, ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND PERENNIAL CROPS.-PROVIDED 10 ADVANCED POULTRY TRAINEES WITH ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN COOP DESIGN ALTERNATIVES, POULTRY HEALTH, BIOSECURITY, AND LAND ACCESS STRATEGIES.-SOLD 500 LBS. OF FOOD-GRADE GARLIC FOR SEED AND EXPANDED ON-FARM GARLIC PLANTING FOR COMMUNITY SEED SHARING IN 2020.-SECURED A SEED GROWING CONTRACT WITH SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE IN IOWA TO PRODUCE HEIRLOOM TOMATO, COWPEA, AND KALE SEED.-HOSTED MORE THAN 600 VISITORS INCLUDING ORGANIZED TOURS BY EDUCATORS, FIELD EXPERTS, SCIENTISTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FARMERS INTERESTED IN OUR MODEL.-CREATED A WILDLIFE SURVEY PROGRAM.-SECURED SUPPORT FROM NEW DONORS TO FINANCE THE FARM BUILD OUT. WE CONTINUED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE DE-RISKING STRATEGIES FOR BEGINNING AND TRANSITIONING FARMERS INCLUDING ACCESS TO LAND, FINANCING, AND PERENNIAL PLANT MATERIAL. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:-ESTABLISHED A REVOLVING LOAN FUND THROUGH SHARED CAPITAL COOPERATIVE TO PROVIDE WORKING CAPITAL FOR BEGINNING FARMERS TRAINED IN OUR SYSTEM.-EXPANDED PERENNIAL NURSERIES TO PROVIDE FREE OR LOW-COST WOODY PERENNIAL PLANT MATERIAL (HAZELNUTS, ELDERBERRIES) TO REDUCE THE COST OF TRANSITION -PILOTED FLEXIBLE LAND-USE EASEMENTS WITH DAKOTA COUNTY TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH OF DEEP-ROOTED PERENNIAL SMALL GRAINS ON MARGINAL LANDS;-PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, DEMONSTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR BEGINNING AND ESTABLISHED FARMERS.WE EXPANDED OUR CAPACITY FOR REGIONAL GROWTH BY CONNECTING WITH NONPROFIT, FOR-PROFIT, GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS. THEY INCLUDE:-SHARED CAPITAL COOPERATIVE, A CDFI WORKING TO SUPPORT LATINX FARMERS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF A POOL OF OPERATING LOANS FOR MSP-MODEL COOP CONSTRUCTION, AND COLLABORATING WITH MSP ON STRUCTURING A GROWER'S COOPERATIVE;-LIFT ECONOMY, WHICH IS COLLABORATING WITH MSP ON DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL BUSINESS MODELING, COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE/OWNERSHIP STRUCTURING, AND FRANCHISING/REPLICATION EXPANSION STRATEGIES;-IROQUOIS VALLEY FARMS, WHICH PROVIDES FARMER-FRIENDLY MORTGAGE FINANCING TO BEGINNING ORGANIC FARMERS SEEKING LAND ACCESS; AND,-URBAN VENTURES, A TWIN-CITIES BASED NONPROFIT THAT IS WORKING WITH MSP TO APPLY OUR FOOD PRODUCTION AND TRAINING RESOURCES TO THE CHALLENGE OF REDUCING THE YOUTH HEALTH AND NUTRITION GAP IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

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