Ground Level Blog

The Food Safety Modernization Act has passed Congress, strengthening federal oversight of food processing facilities and farms but keeping a controversial exemption for small farms.
The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services focused in this year’s report on home- and community-based care for rural seniors.
USDA economist Jim Barham is looking for champions of the food chain, people with business sense who can take advantage of relationships with growers and retailers and help the local food movement meet an increasing demand.
Moses Momanyi is a Kenyan trying to become a full-time farmer near the Twin Cities, an example of how some immigrant farmers are trying to scale up in the local food movement.
An effort to provide seniors with computer training will begin with service at the Eagle Bend Senior Center.
Is this housing bust and recession enough fodder to foster a re-thinking of exurban development? Or will everything fall back into place when builders begin laying down foundation again?
Is local on your grocery receipt?
Some food cooperatives are spelling out precisely on cash register receipts just how much of your purchases are either local or from a small producer.
Red Wing Mayor John Howe says he plans to veto a city council-approved property tax levy increase and a line in the 2011 budget that calls for a new franchise fee on electricty and gas bills.
A non-profit organization in Montevideo, Clean Up the River Environment, wins $25,000 from the Bush Foundation in a contest aimed at showcasing efforts to address problems through collaboration.
Map shows local food scaling up in SE Minnesota
A US Department of Agriculture look at regional distribution centers for local food shows a concentration in southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin.