January 2026

Farm to Kids: 2026 Roadshow

Farm to Kids work at Renewing the Countryside expanded in 2025 with the addition of Regional Local Foods Coordinators connecting schools, early care facilities, and institutions with fresh, local foods across Minnesota.

Farm to Kids work will continue strong in 2026 with the Farm to Kids Roadshow! The Minnesota Farm to Kids Roadshow will bring together producers, school nutrition

This series of in-person events will include training in how to connect with local farmers, food service directors and others; conversations with state agency staff about free resources, trainings, recipes, grant funding and more; school kitchen tours; and peer networking. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) trainings will also be offered this year at each of the roadshows (except Hutchinson)! Registration is required if you plan on attending GAPs. Find more information on the roadshow and register for a specific location Here. The Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow is free and organized by Renewing the Countryside, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Education, and University of Minnesota Extension. Funding is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School program.

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Farmland Access Newsletter

2025 was a a big year for the Farmland Access Hub. Despite challenges, partners accomplished meaningful work and continued building strong collaboration  From a Farmland Access Bus Tour to impactful farm transition stories to a new farmland seeker toolkit, there were major successes in farmland access work

The Farmland Access Hub's December newsletter covers all of this and more! Read the full newsletter HERE as well as all past newsletters. Stay up-to-date on Farmland Access Hub work by joining their email list here (signup at the bottom of the page!).

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RTC's Soil Sisters team is hosting a FREE, virtual series - Women Farmers Aging Strong - designed to support women farmers and help preserve and protect their most important farming tool: their bodies. The series includes a women farmer-led curriculum, featuring a diverse team of women sharing their expertise and experience to build community and resource share together. Learn more and sign up at soilsistershub.org/events.

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We’re excited to coordinate the 2026 New Farmer U in collaboration with our friends at Marbleseed and Big River Farms! During this two-day mini-academy, you’ll receive assistance in boosting your business skills with workshops from Paul Dietmann, Compeer Financial’s Senior Lending Officer, and experienced growers and ag professionals (to be announced!). Come for the skill building and leave with a new network of peers—other farmers in the early parts of their careers! In addition to content and materials, your registration includes four meals, snacks, and one night of lodging. Learn more and register HERE.

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The FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow, an annual *industry-only* event, is coming up in just two months on March 19 in Cannon Falls. Network, connect with wholesale buyers, and participate in sessions/forums throughout the day. Registration for exhibitors, buyers, and industry attendees is open HERE. Mulling? Don't delay! The 60 exhibitor spots are already half full—early bird rate lasts through February 2. Curious about what this could do for your food/bev business? Learn more HERE.

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Minnesota Women in Conservation monthly Wednesday webinars are back! The next webinar is February 25 from Noon-1 p.m. and covers Lakeshore Restoration.

This live webinar will be of interest to lake lovers and shoreline owners at every experience level. To learn more and RSVP visit mnwic.org/event-list.

From courses, funding opportunities, and more, there are so many great resources currently available from our partner organizations:

• Applications are now open for the Activate Rural Learning Lab! This program will support a total of 10 organizations with technical assistance and a $50,000 unrestricted grant. Applicants must be located in a rural community of 20,000 or less within Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, or the Native nations that share this geography.
  
  Click here for more information or to apply by February 20, 2026!
  
  
• CEDA is now accepting applications for the fourth cohort of its Rural Business Innovation Lab (RBIL), a cohort-based entrepreneurial development program for rural businesses ready to scale, expand into new markets and bring innovative products or services to market.
  
  Applications will be accepted through February 25th.
  
  
• MN Extension's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) is seeking ideas for community-led sustainability projects. Greater MN residents with an idea to strengthen sustainability in their community can now apply for support from RSDP.
  
  Applications are being accepted through February 14. 

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