Growing Our Regional Food Leadership: A Conversation on Community, Capacity & Funding
Join a welcoming, hybrid gathering to connect with neighbors, learn what the Food Council is building, and get a sneak preview of our upcoming funding + AI capacity-building training series.
Registration
Registration is required. Please register using the Zoom link below (even if you plan to attend at a site location).
Date: April 7th, 2026
Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Format: Hybrid (in-person site locations + Zoom)
Inclement Weather Plan: If weather makes travel unsafe, the event will shift to 100% virtual via Zoom. Registered participants will receive updates by email.
Choose Your Nearest Site Location
We’re hosting this event in five site locations at the same time, connected by a shared virtual program. The goal is to attend the site nearest you to build relationships locally while still participating in a regional conversation. Due to room capacity limits, each location can host up to 20 people in-person. Let us know if you're bringing a guest with you when you register.
Site Locations
Which site should I attend?
We've grouped the 16-county region into micro-regions for the purpose of the event. Attend the one closest to you/where you reside or work, or whichever site is most convenient for you that day. At each site, you'll have an opportunity to discuss local challenges and opportunities with other participants.
Site Location 1: Morris
For those based in: Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, and Traverse County
Morris Public Library (meeting room)
102 E 6th St Morris, MN 56267
Site Location 2: Moorhead
For those based in: Clay and Becker County
Room 8 Family Service Center 715 11th St. N Moorhead, MN 56560
Site Location 3: Staples
For those based in: Cass, Crow, Todd, Wadena, and Morrison County
Sourcewell Office
202 12th St NE Staples, MN 56479
Site Location 4: St. Cloud
For those based in: Stearns and Benton County
Stearns County Service Center
3301 County Road 138 Waite Park 56387
Room 1104C/D
Site Location 5: Fergus Falls
For those based in: Otter Tail and Wilkin County
Dead Lake Room, Otter Tail County Government Services Center 560 West Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Prefer to join virtually? You can attend fully online through Zoom (register above).
About the Event
What is this gathering?
This is a welcoming, community-based conversation for people who care about local food systems, agriculture, economic resilience, and community well-being. It’s designed to help residents and partners:
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Learn what the Food Council does and how community members shape its work
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Connect with others who are working on (or impacted by) food and agriculture issues
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Share what you’re seeing in your community — needs, barriers, and opportunities
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Get a practical sneak preview of how AI tools can support funding identification and grant writing
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Explore ways to get involved as a Food Council member or partner
No prior experience with AI or grant writing is required.
Who should attend?
This event is for:
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Farmers, producers, and food businesses
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Nonprofit and community organization staff
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Public health, education, and local government partners
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Economic development and community development professionals
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Residents who care about food access, affordability, and local agriculture
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Anyone curious about funding opportunities and capacity-building tools
Why We're Hosting This
A recruitment + capacity-building preview
The Food Council is actively welcoming new members and partners. This event is both an introduction and an invitation — a chance to learn, ask questions, and see whether deeper involvement (and upcoming training opportunities) feels like a fit.
Later this year, the Food Council will offer a capacity-building training series focused on teaching people how to use AI tools for funding identification and grant writing. This event includes a short preview of what that training will look like.
Agenda
What to Expect
4:00–4:15 p.m. — Welcome & Arrival
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Grab something to eat and sign in
4:15–4:40 p.m. — Inside the Food Council
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Why this gathering matters now
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Overview of regional food system priorities (West Central Regional Food Plan + current funding/future assessment)
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What we do
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Current initiatives
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How community voices shape our work
4:40–5:00 p.m. — Sneak Preview: Funding & AI Tools
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Real example of funding identification
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Demonstration of how AI can support grant research and drafting
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What’s coming in the full training series
5:00–5:45 p.m. — Small Group Discussion (Site-Based)
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Quick introductions (name, where you live, what brought you here)
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What funding or capacity challenges are you facing?
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Where do you see opportunity in our region?
5:45–6:00 p.m. — Invitation & Next Steps
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How we’ll use what we heard today (and how we’ll share it back with attendees)
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How to get involved in the Food Council
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Upcoming training series
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Membership pathway (including the member application link)
