Monique Rodriguez

New important data around those working that still struggle to keep up with today’s costs of basic needs like food, housing and childcare. United Way of Greater Cleveland is committed to helping the ALICE population have what they need at home and at work.

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FarmWISE Indiana: A Win for Hoosier Farmers and Food Independence! 🚜🌽 This is exactly what we need in Indiana – a program that connects our hardworking farmers directly with local buyers, keeping our food dollars in our communities where they belong! FARMWISE Indiana is building bridges between small and medium-sized farmers and wholesale buyers like restaurants, schools, universities, and hospitals. As someone who grew up working alongside my father in the dairy industry, I know firsthand the challenges our farmers face. This program is meeting farmers where they are – not forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, but recognizing that different operations have different capabilities. Here's what makes this program brilliant: It's connecting farmers like Ryan Lee from Lee's Edible Acres with institutional buyers, helping them plan for next season's crops based on actual demand With over $500 million spent annually by these institutional buyers in Indiana alone, even capturing a small percentage for our local farmers will strengthen our economy It's funded through private initiative (Builder's Initiative) and housed at IU's Environmental Resilience Institute – showing how public-private partnerships can work This is about more than just economics – it's about food security, community resilience, and supporting the backbone of our state: our farmers. When we keep food production and consumption local, we reduce our dependence on distant supply chains and strengthen our rural communities. This is conservative governance at its finest – supporting free market solutions that strengthen local communities without big government interference. Let's support our farmers, support our communities, and keep Indiana food on Indiana tables! 🇺🇸 #BoldBeckwith #ConservativeIN #HoosierFarmers #FarmToFork #AgricultureFirst #LocalFood #IndianaPride #FarmWISE https://lnkd.in/ggexjyZp

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A new report calls agricultural RNG a “golden opportunity”, projecting up to $2B in additional annual revenue for U.S. farmers. The Midwest has the feedstock. It has the land base. It has proximity to infrastructure. On paper, it works. In practice, markets only scale when policy, permitting, and end-use pathways align. We’ve already seen how state-level interpretations, including those related to digestate management, can materially shape project viability. The opportunity is real. So are the constraints. The next chapter will be written at the intersection of agriculture, infrastructure, and regulatory clarity. #RNG #Biogas #AnerobicDigestion #WasteToEnergy #RuralEconomy https://lnkd.in/gDwaqKp3

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Long Hearing Farm is a collective endeavor of four farmers in the foothills of the North Cascades. This beautiful story by Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland highlights their land access journey and how they have built a successful model of shared leadership on a worker-owned farm. Important considerations for those working on land access and succession and just a great read for all. “Anne is such a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, and I feel so honored that we get to continue her legacy, hopefully, until we’re ready to pass it on to the next generation,” Elizabeth says, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’d be so proud to be able to do that.” https://lnkd.in/gCQiThXP #farmland #agriculture #succession #landaccess #community

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A Donor's wish of creating a strong, local ag and conservation talent pipeline + partnering with Kishwaukee College = DeKalb County Workforce Opportunities! #forgood #forall #forever

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Funding Opportunity: Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant: Provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, farms, businesses, institutions, cooperatives, local governments, nonprofits and other entities working with local food will have the opportunity to apply for collaborative grants of up to $250,000 or individual projects up to $75,000 for infrastructure that will support value-added processing, livestock processing, milling, dairy, trucking, food hubs, community kitchens and other critical pieces of local food supply chains. Applications are due by March 27th. Learn more and apply here:https://lnkd.in/g-qADmkB

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Strong regional food systems start with strong relationships. I’m excited to have been selected to participate in Regional Resilience: Connecting the Northeast Ohio Value-Added Farm and Food Community taking place April 9–10 in Midtown Cleveland. This two-day event—organized by **Ohio State University’s Northeast Ohio Ag Innovation Center, the Forest City Food Collective (formerly Oberlin Food Hub), and The Fare Project—is designed to bring together farmers, food producers, and community partners from across the region. The focus is simple but powerful: strengthening the people and relationships that power Northeast Ohio’s food system. Together we’ll be working to: • Map the individuals and organizations working across Northeast Ohio’s farm and food system • Identify projects happening in our rural, urban, and suburban communities • Find shared needs, resources, and strategies • Create a common framework for organizing Northeast Ohio’s farm and food community • Build new relationships while strengthening existing ones • Identify the next steps for strengthening our regional food system For those of us working at the intersection of local agriculture, food access, and community partnerships, conversations like this are incredibly important. Looking forward to connecting with so many people doing great work across Northeast Ohio’s food and agriculture community. If you’ll be there, I’d love to connect. #FoodSystems #LocalFood #NortheastOhio #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #CommunityPartnerships

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Many people often inquire to Midwest Studies Group about the secret to achieving fundraising goals by year-end. While it may not be magic, the solution is straightforward: take action during the first three quarters. Waiting until the fourth quarter to meet your goals can lead to disappointment and frustration. Start early and stay focused to ensure success.

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This Chicago Tribune article spotlighted a challenge we see across the Midwest: small and mid-sized farmers are growing incredible produce, but too often there isn't an efficient way to get it to market. The bottleneck isn’t production. It’s distribution, coordination, and demand-generation. And the middle supply chain infrastructure that is essential to local farms to compete. Re-building this "missing middle" matters. It re-builds a system around small and mid-sized farms that makes regional food work at scale. For farmers and food business owners, and for institutions like schools, hospitals and even food banks. Places and spaces where food matters. When I talk about The Good Acre's missing in unlocking economic opportunity and unlocking market access, this is exactly the gap we’re filling. Aggregating produce from nearly 150 local farms and distributing to schools, food banks, healthcare, and other mission-aligned buyers. All while co-investing in infrastructure that small farms can’t afford alone, but that is essential to compete. This is what it takes to rebuild a values-based, climate-resilient, economically just food system. https://lnkd.in/gFYQ-6uA

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We’re excited to announce the release of Northeast Indiana Local Food Network's Local Food Needs Assessment! This groundbreaking report, based on insights from over 500 community members, reveals a powerful truth: despite our region's rich agricultural roots, we import over 98% of our produce. This contributes to challenges like food insecurity and an aging farmer population. But the good news? Northeast Indiana is perfectly positioned to become a national leader in the local food movement. By working together, we can: ✅ Boost our local economy ✅ Improve community health ✅ Create a more sustainable future for everyone This moment calls for collaborative action. Read the full report and join the movement to transform our food system. The future of local food is in our hands. https://lnkd.in/gwhj4Jp2 Thank you to Kristi Sturtz, ALM, AICP of Sturtz Public Management Group, LLC and Kate V. for your partnership and guidance through this year long effort. Funding for the initiative has been generously provided by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and through a Regional Food Systems Partnership grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. #ourlandourtables #northeastindiana #localfood #foodsystems #CommunityAction #sustainability #fortwayneindiana #supportlocalbusiness #foodsecurity

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The nation's local food communities are celebrating Community Supported Agriculture in February with National CSA Month. This campaign is aimed at persuading local food lovers to consider getting subscriptions that help favorite farmers succeed. This is a focus of my latest submission to Natural Awakenings Chicago, just published in their February issue. As the article points out, "CSAs played a major role in financially supporting small farms at a time—not too long ago—when it was harder for consumers to reliably source locally produced fruits and vegetables, grains, eggs and meats." It continues, "At its core, this arrangement creates a true partnership between farmers and their customers, built on shared commitment, mutual benefit and trust. It has been said that nothing expresses the mantra “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” better than CSA." https://lnkd.in/gscMRdgT

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Two-thirds of Midwest land is devoted to agriculture, and Midwest farmers know what changes will simultaneously improve water quality and soil health, cut climate emissions, and strengthen the bottom line for farm families. Neverthless, institutions and inertia stand in the way. What will it take to change? Listen to part two of LSP's podcast with the "Lobe Rangers" to find out. https://lnkd.in/g9SqGugH

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Are you a journalist or working in a local news outlet (or know one)? Share this new funding opportunity offered by Press Forward Northern Michigan aimed at supporting small investments in news operations that would make a meaningful difference in the ability of news outlets to do their work. Funding up to $10,000 is available - applications submitted by March 16 will receive first consideration.

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This data is a critical reminder that food insecurity remains a pressing and pervasive issue across Central Indiana. Understanding the lived experience of households in all nine counties helps us shape smarter investments, stronger partnerships, and more equitable solutions.

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We are incredibly lucky to have the Green Bay Packers right here in our community. 💚 This $250,000 Social Justice Impact Grant from Green Bay Packers Give Back is transformational for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, but what makes the Packers truly special is that their support goes far beyond funding. From financial investment...to player engagement…to the many employees across the organization who have stepped up to become Bigs for youth who need a little extra support - every level of the Packers organization shows up for kids in our community. This grant helps us reach more young people who have been waiting for a mentor and create safe, engaging spaces where Bigs and Littles can build life-changing relationships. We’re grateful. We’re proud. And we’re motivated to deliver mentoring better, sooner, and to every child who’s waiting. #BeBig #BigBrothersBigSisters

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