Building networks for food systems Building networks for food systems change:change:

the Regional Food Systems Working the Regional Food Systems Working GroupGroup

2010 Value-Added Conference2010 Value-Added Conference

Eau Claire, WisconsinEau Claire, WisconsinRich Pirog, Associate DirectorRich Pirog, Associate Director

Leopold Center for Sustainable AgricultureLeopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Leopold Center forLeopold Center forSustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

Created thru Iowa Created thru Iowa Groundwater Groundwater Protection Act - 1987Protection Act - 1987

State funded - $1.1 State funded - $1.1 million in grants/yearmillion in grants/year

Aldo Leopold is Aldo Leopold is namesakenamesake

Three InitiativesThree InitiativesEcologyEcology

Marketing & Food Marketing & Food SystemsSystems

PolicyPolicy

Marketing and Food Systems InitiativeMarketing and Food Systems InitiativeBuilding resilient regional food systemsBuilding resilient regional food systems

Convening and building networksConvening and building networks Profitability and business planningProfitability and business planning Energy use and environmental/economic impactsEnergy use and environmental/economic impacts Distribution and processingDistribution and processing Access to capitalAccess to capital Local food assessment & capacity buildingLocal food assessment & capacity building Food and healthFood and health Immigrant, beginning and transitioning farmersImmigrant, beginning and transitioning farmers Marketing and market researchMarketing and market research

More than 100 projects funded since 2001

Building capacity across regional food systems

Difficult for farmers/communities to negotiate

Univ

Departments

Extension

State Dept of Agric. & Health

Bureaus

Programs

Directives

USDA

Rural Development

Ag Marketing SARE

Farm Organizations

Marketing Policy

Production

NGOs

Communityaction groups

Sustainable ag centers

Cooperatives

consultants

Privatesector

Health Organizations

Centers

K-12Comm. Colleges

Colleges

??

Dining

Type of network

Level of Risk(to members)

Systemic Change

Potential How they operate

Cooperating LowLittle chance

Model best practices; test ideas and learn different approaches; convene problem-solving sessions

Coordinating Low to ModerateGood chance

Push established organizational boundaries; engage in activities requiring greater mutual reliance

Collaborating Moderate to HighBest chance

Methods in place to resolve conflicts; pursuing long-term system creation; radical shifts from past operation; fundamental resource re-allocation

From Vandeventer, P., and M Mandell, 2007. Networks that Work

Which best describes your network?

Toward Collaborating NetworksA Communities of Practice framework

• “Groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis”

–Wenger, McDermott, and Snyder (2002:4)

•Funded in part by the Wallace Center at Winrock International and the Leopold Center•In partnership with ISU, ISU Extension, PFI, and the Leopold Center

Value Chain Partnerships

An Iowa-Based Network of Food and Agriculture Working Groups

Fruit and Vegetable

Grass-BasedLivestock

Pork Niche Market

Regional Food Systems

Small Meat Processors

Value Chain Partnerships4 core functions

• Information hubs – integrated info across organizations

• Catalysts for cooperation – build trust and capacity

• Magnets – leverage and obtain funding

• Scouts – cutting edge of new ideas

Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG)

• The Regional Food System Working Group is an umbrella network for all Iowan’s working to build a more vibrant and sustainable regional food system

– We offer a collaborative environment for a diverse group of non-profit, government, and private organizations and farmer networks to share resources and support.

– We work to maximize the potential for investment in community-based, economically sustainable, and environmentally and socially responsible regional food enterprises.

• More than 20 organizations and farmer networks

regularly participate

How RFSWG functions

• Group meets quarterly to share information, network, and identify new opportunities

• Seed grants awarded to local groups to strengthen key elements needed to build a more resilient food system

• Funds used for planning, assessment, coordination, leadership development, and other activities proposed by each group

• Research needs emerge from the group and addressed by state and regional organizations represented

• Experienced groups provide feedback as new groups develop

SWIFFI

Nested networks and brands

ISU Extension, PFI,RC&Ds, INCA,

Farmers Union, WFAN,State agencies, consultantsDrake Univ, Comm. Colleges

Building community across research, education, advocacy

and outreach networks the food system

Websitewww.valuechains.org

Social network siteshttp://regionalfoodsystems.ning.com/

Rich Pirog rspirog@iastate.edu