History and Purpose
The Emerging Farmers' Working Group was created in the 2020 Legislative Session.
The purpose of the working group is:
"To advise the commissioner and legislature regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that support emerging farmers in this state, the commissioner must periodically convene a working group consisting, to the extent possible, of persons who are, and organizations that represent, farmers or aspiring farmers who are women, veterans, persons with disabilities, American Indian or Alaskan Natives, members of a community of color, young, and urban, and any other emerging farmers as determined by the commissioner. No later than January 15 each year, the commissioner must update the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the working group's activities and recommendations.”
Members
- Cameron Bailey, Hennepin County
- Anika Bowie, Ramsey County
- Molly Byron, Waseca County
- Marcus Carpenter, Hennepin County
- Tara Conway, Hennepin County
- Gigi DiGiacomo, Hennepin County
- Katie Drewitz, Fillmore County
- Catherine Fleming, Hennepin County
- Heather Gaston, Pope County
- Cindy Hale, St. Louis County
- Kiersten Hansen, Brown County
- LuVessie Knox, Hennepin County
- Kelsey Love Zaavedra, Chisago County
- Rev. Dr. Maren McDonell, PhD, Carver County
- Rozalyn Maney, Hennepin County
- Tara Ostendorf, Stearns County
- Jason Montgomery Riess, Washington County
- Jina Rahimi, Ramsey County
- Taran Skwira, Morrison County
- Relyndis Tegomoh, Ramsey County
- Friendly Vang-Johnson, Hennepin County
- Melanie Woodford, Mower County
- Kelsey Zaavedra, Chisago County
Facilitator: Michael Birchard, michaelbirchard@gmail.com
Meetings
Schedule (All virtual meetings through Microsoft Teams)
ALL meetings will begin at 1 p.m. and adjourn at 3 p.m.
Year 5
- November 8, 2024 - Year 5 Kickoff Meeting
- January 10, 2025
- March 14, 2025
- May 9, 2025
- June 13, 2025
