Cass Clay Food Commission - March 10, 2021 Minutes
Members Present:
Jenny Mongeau, Clay County Commission, Chair
Jim Aasness, Dilworth City Council
Arlette Preston, Fargo City Commission
Deb White, City of Moorhead
Duane Breitling, Cass County Commission
Beth McConnon, At-Large Member
Jeffrey Miller, At-Large Member
Janice Tweet, At-Large Member
Jeremiah Utecht, At-Large Member
Jeff York, At-Large Member
Members Absent:
Chelsey Johnson, Horace City Council
Mandy George, West Fargo City Commission
Others Present:
Jenna Kahly, Clay County Commission
Kim Lipetzky, Fargo Cass Public Health
Rory Beil, Clay County Public Health
Rita Ussatis, NDSU Extension
Noelle Harden, U of M Extension
Mary Larson, NDSU – Community Health Sciences Specialization
Timothy Hiller, Churches United
Taylor Syvertson, Great Plains Food Bank
Erika Franck Clay County Planning
Deb Haugen, Cass Clay Food Partners
Lynn Park, Hope and Joy Medicinal Garden
Trent Wise, City of Moorhead Public Works
Nola Storm, Growing Together
Stan Wolf, Cass County Weed Control
Clara Bowman, Prairie Roots Community Fund
Don B., Public Citizen
Adam Altenburg, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments
Chair Mongeau called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.
1a. Approve Order and Contents of the Overall Agenda
A motion to approve the order and contents of the overall agenda was made by Ms. White and seconded by Mr. Breitling. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
1b. Review and Action on Minutes from January 13, 2021
A motion to approve the minutes for November was made by Ms. White and seconded by Mr. Utecht. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
2. Commission Check-In
Chair Mongeau stated that Commission members and the steering committee had an opportunity to provide updates on news or events happening in the community.
Chair Mongeau informed the Commission that the Clay County Comprehensive Plan was underway and that it was a project being completed with the assistance of Metro COG.
Ms. McConnon said that she participated in the First Friday on March 5, and was looking forward to attending more events in the future.
Ms. White noted that she had spoken to Moorhead City Manager Dan Mahli on whether a representative from the Food Commission should be added to the study review committee for the Moorhead Comprehensive Plan. She was told that the committee already had 20 members, and three of those members are connected to sustainability and resiliency, which the Food Commission currently collaborates with. She suggested that a member from the Food Commission could be added to a sustainability and resiliency focus group. Ms. White said she would leave the decision up to Chair Mongeau. Chair Mongeau thought that was a good idea, and suggested any interested Moorhead residents on the committee can get in touch with Ms. White.
Mr. Utecht said that the Red River Market has started to receive applications on the upcoming season, including applications from cottage food businesses. Chair Mongeau asked if there could be a quick update on the cottage food laws at the next Steering Committee meeting.
Mr. Breitling said that Cass County has been busy with the current open of the North Dakota legislative session.
Ms. Harden said that the steering committee is planning on releasing more information to food producers in regards to FAQs on cottage food laws for both Minnesota and North Dakota.
Ms. Tweet said that the Great Plains Food Bank is currently hiring for a number of positions.
Mr. Miller informed the Commission that NDSU Extension was still offering youth gardening grants to support youth gardening projects in North Dakota.
Ms. Preston said that the Fargo Sustainability and Resiliency Committee met for the first time and noted she would be interested to see how it continues.
Mr. Hiller said that the Dorothy Day Food Pantry is seeing an uptick in the number of people seeking supplemental food assistance.
Ms. Ussatis said that that North Dakota Junior Master Gardener Program was still seeking grant applications to provide hands-on activities to children and communities.
3. Jurisdiction Spotlight: City of Dilworth
Lynn Park introduced herself as the founder of the Hope and Joy Medicinal Garden. She stated that the mission of the garden is to educate communities on natural health alternatives and provide access to medicinal plants. She explained that the first community garden was planted at Birch Tree Park in Dilworth and that a couple trees were planted there last fall. She also mentioned that the group will be holding a soil amendments class and start to turn the soil for spring planting and would be holding a seed swap at Wild Terra on March 20.
Ms. Kahly asked if there was a wish list of plants that could be donated. Ms. Park said there is a list on the group’s Facebook page. Chair Mongeau encouraged Ms. Park to call the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District in regards to available grants.
4. Incorporating Food Systems Language into Planning Documents
Mr. Altenburg gave a presentation in regards to incorporating Food Systems language into planning documents, specifically, comprehensive plans, but also including other various types of planning documents.
5a. Fargo Boulevard Gardening Ordinance and Community Garden Resource Update
Ms. Lipetzky reminded the Commission of the temporary boulevard gardening ordinance approved by the Fargo City Commission in 2020. She explained that she had been working with other city departments to finalize the ordinance process and the procedures moving forward including: getting rid of the permit application process, plant height maximums, and raised bed allowances. She explained that once these details and stipulations are finalized, this will be brought forward the City Commission for approval of the ordinance.
Ms. White asked how this ordinance differs from the Moorhead ordinance. Ms. Lipetzky said the temporary ordinance adopted last year was essentially the same as Moorhead’s ordinance but noted that the differences moving forward would be permit fees and plant height maximums.
Ms. Lipetzky also provided a community garden resource update with information on garden types (personal, community, and medicinal), website resources, and local agricultural support.
5b. Moorhead Edible Forest
Trent Wise presented information on the Edible Forest Project at MB Johnson Park in Moorhead. This project is being executed by the Ecosystems Work Group by the Moorhead Resiliency Task Group, and funded by a Bush Grant. The project would place a “food forest” of 100 trees/shrubs to comprise an orchard that will be available to the public. The group is hoping to have an Arbor Day event to commence planting. The Moorhead Forestry division will be responsible for maintenance of the orchard.
Ms. White said that there have been discussions in regards to more accessible, smaller food forests being placed more centrally located. Mr. Wise said that this is being discussed, but would not happen this year in tandem with the MB Johnson project. He noted that, through public input surveys, Romkey Park and Woodlawn Park could be potential orchards in the future, depending on funding.
5c. Cass County Pesticide Update and Additional Gardening Resources
Ms. Harden presented an update on pesticides being used in Cass County.
5d. Growing Together Update
Ms. Haugen introduced Ms. Storm, the recipient of the Fargo MLK Human Relations award for her work in fostering community relationships through the Growing Together Community Gardens. Ms. Storm gave an update on the Growing Together Community Garden, including dates for open gardens scheduled for this summer from May to September.
6. Public Comment Opportunity
Chair Mongeau informed the Commission that time would be allotted for public comments.
No comments were made.
7. Commission and Steering Committee Roundtable
Chair Mongeau asked for the Commission and the steering committee to share any additional updates.
Ms. Harden mentioned that an article written during the network’s work during COVID was accepted and will be published by the Journal of AG Food Systems and Development, and would be shared with the Commission when it is available.
8. Commission Action Steps
Chair Mongeau stated that the next Commission meeting would be held on May 12. She also mentioned that the next First Fridays event would be held online on April 2 at 8:00 AM.
Chair Mongeau adjourned the meeting at 12:02 PM.