NEW REPORT ON REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS NOW AVAILABLE!

The new report on regional food systems entitled A Regional Imperative: The Case for Regional Food Systems can be found here, along with the executive summary.

Here is a message from the authors:

We are pleased to share our report with you. In January, we presented at a webinar launching the report. Some concerns were expressed about the event and the report, particularly regarding the way we addressed race and racial equity during our presentation on regional food systems. …

February 17, 2022 Open Forum

Please join us for the CLRFS Quarterly Open Forum on February 17, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST.

Food systems colleagues from Utah State University, the University of Nebraska and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will present on programs that help farmers in coping with COVID-19 and integrate the role of racial equity.

Registration is required: https://ncat.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkf-irrT8uGtxG8mSkBLTlAvGT3bNZXI7k

Launch of New Food Systems Practitioner and Educational Resource Database

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 revealed the crucial role local food systems can play in community food security. The nation’s food systems practitioners have identified professional development opportunities as a pressing need in addressing issues of food security and equity.

A national team of researchers and practitioners led by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has developed a national database for both practitioners and educational resources related to a previous project for food systems core competencies. This project is supported …

Local Food System Response to Covid

USDA Launches A Resource Hub on Local Food System Response to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of a hub designed to assist local and regional food producers as USDA and its partners develop, share and assess resources on local and regional food system responses to COVID-19. The Local Food System Response to COVID Resource Hub was created through USDA’s cooperative agreement with the University of Kentucky, Colorado State University and Pennsylvania State University.

Read the …

Food Systems Core Competency Project

30 Partners Nationwide Identify Essential Skills and Trainings for Food System Practitioners

A growing number of practitioners across the US are working to create and enhance thriving, equitable local and regional food systems. These food system practitioners have identified a need for professional development opportunities to build their skills and capacities.

In August 2019, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) formed a cooperative agreement with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development Program. The purpose …

April 25, Quarterly Open Forum


We are offering the Community, Local and Regional Food Systems Community of Practice quarterly Open Forum on April 25, 1 pm to 2 pm EST. We appreciate the support from the Southern Rural Development Center to host this Zoom meeting.

The agenda includes:

– CoP welcome and brief overview.
– Program presentations including highlights of our stories about Innovative Marketing Programs in Our Community.
– News and events

Zoom link: https://msstateextension.zoom.us/j/6623255885

Or

Telephone: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) Meeting …

1st Quarterly Open Forum, January 30, 2019

The first open forum of the year was a wonderful success. 

The forum opened with a brief introduction of our CoP and how to navigate the site by our leader, Kathleen Liang. 

Next, Kathleen and Katie reviewed the membership survey results. 

Q1. What was the initial reason you joined CLRFS?

In your own words:

Q1. Word Cloud

In general, people joined CLRFS for the networking and learning opportunities available through the eCoP. Some joined in hopes of finding research partners or funding opportunities. …