Cultivating Farmer Voices Beth Osmund

Overview  Introduction  My Story  Developing Leadership  Q & A

A Change of Direction

2002 – Launched Cedar Valley Sustainable First season of veggie CSA 2004 – Attendees at Upper Midwest CSA Conference

2007 – SARE Farmer Rancher Grant National Resources Conservation Service Farm Tour 2008 – Midwest Organic Conference Presentation

Farmer Faculty Farmer Faculty  Michael Fields Agricultural Institute  CRAFT Farm Beginnings

Conference Presentations  Midwest Organic  Great Lakes CSA conference  National Women in Agriculture  MOSES

Professional Organizations Professional Organizations  Slow Food  Terra Madre Delegate  SF Chicago Board  NUSOS Keynote  Farmer’s Market Committees  Presentations to many community organizations  Serve on USDA panels

Seed  Invite people in!  Create learning opportunities for public speaking/public writing.  In house training  Online resources

Cultivate  Create a Speaker’s Bureau  Host Community Education events with multiple farms  Train / Coach /Support

 Connect with local organizations:  4H/Schools  Chamber of Commerce  Garden Clubs  Tap local experience rather than ‘experts from out of town’  Value their time!

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

 A wider network means more resources.

 A public presence means more people know about my farm.

 A wider network means more resources.  A public presence means more people know about my farm.  I can help advance my point of view in the ongoing conversation about food and farming.

 A wider network means more resources.  A public presence means more people know about my farm.  I can help advance my point of view in the ongoing conversation about food and farming.  I’ve gotten to go to some terrific places and meet many amazing people!

Questions & Comments