Cass Clay Food Commission - May 8, 2024 Minutes
Members Present:
Arlette Preston, Fargo City Commission, Chair
Heather Nesemeier, Moorhead City Council
Paul Hankel, Horace City Council (proxy)
Jim Kapitan, Cass County Commission
Mandy George, West Fargo City Commission
Paul Krabbenhoft, Clay County Commission
Dave Steichen, Dilworth City Council
Anna Johnson, At-Large Member
Joan Kopperud, At-Large Member
Carin Engler, At-Large Member
Jeff York, At-Large Member
Members Absent:
Jeffrey Miller, At-Large Member
Others Present:
Michelle Draxten, Fargo Cass Public Health
Rory Beil, Clay County Public Health
Rita Ussatis, NDSU Extension
Noelle Harden, U of M Extension
Janice Tweet, Great Plains Food Bank
Erika Franck, Clay County Planning and Zoning
Eric Hegg, Global Refuge
Caliton Ntahompagaze, Caliton Family Farms
Karla Hernandez, C.A.S.A
Kory Powell, C.A.S.A
Adam Altenburg, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments
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. Kopperud and seconded by Ms. Nesemeier. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
1b. Review and Action on Minutes from March 13, 2024
A motion to approve the minutes for March 2024 was made by Ms. Kopperud and seconded by Ms. Johnson. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
1c. Mission of the Cass Clay Food Partners
Chair Preston noted the mission of the Cass Clay Food Partners included as part of meeting agendas in 2024.
2. Commission Introductions
Chair Preston led the Commission and steering committee members in a brief round of introductions.
3. Cass Clay Food Partners Resource Review
Mr. Altenburg explained that in the past eight years, the Cass Clay Food Partners had developed nearly two dozen resource documents highlighting urban agriculture, food access, sustainability, and other food systems topic areas relevant to the Fargo-Moorhead area. He noted that these documents have included blueprints, which look at food systems from a land development code perspective; and issue briefs and snapshots, which provide more of an overview of an issue the community may have seen locally.
Mr. Altenburg provided a brief overview of the blueprint developed for Residential Gardening (2020).
4. Local Producer Spotlight: Caliton Family Farms
Caliton Ntahompagaze, owner of Caliton Family Farms LLC, talked about his experiences as a local producer. He explained that he became interested in becoming a producer in 2015 after he found it difficult to find fresh produce native to West Africa. Since 2021, Caliton Family Farms has grown eggplants, beans, beets, carrots, tomatoes, melons, potatoes, kale, squash, and zucchini. He also highlighted his partnerships with the Great Plains Food Bank, to which he sold over 12,000 lbs. of produce, as well as selling at the Red River Market and other locations.
5. Community Spotlight: C.A.S.A | Cultura, Amigos, Salud y Ambiente
Karla Hernandez and Kory Powell informed the Commission about C.A.S.A, a non-profit dedicated to the community empowerment of Latinos in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Ms. Hernandes and Mr. Powell explained that C.A.S.A. advocates for equitable resources and opportunities for Latinos living in Cass and Clay counties. They noted that the organization coordinates meetings and events to unite, discuss common problems, and evaluate possible solutions. They described that, since its inception in May 2023, they had facilitated three gatherings reaching out to more than 60 families in the area. They noted that these meetings helped to promote a stronger sense of support and belonging in the growing Latino community.
Ms. Hernandes and Mr. Powell informed the Commission that C.A.S.A connects Latinos with social, mental, education, and health services in Spanish and provides translation and interpreting services to help community members navigate the resources they need. Ms. Hernandes also explained that the organization is looking at food access opportunities so that members of the Latino community might have better access to land for growing food and increasing food-based businesses.
6. Steering Committee Updates
Ms. Draxten provided an informational update to the Commission regarding the steering committee’s recent activities.
7. Kudos and Community Recognition
Ms. Draxten recognized Commissioner Mandy George for her work in bringing the topic of backyard chickens forward to the West Fargo City Commission and in the passing of a city ordinance on April 1, 2024. She noted that residents in West Fargo are now allowed up to six chickens and join Fargo, Moorhead, and portions of Horace in allowing backyard chickens as a permitted or conditional use.
8. Public Comment Opportunity
Chair Preston informed the Commission that time would be allotted for public comments. She noted that members of the community may also submit comments via a comment link when Commission packets are emailed out.
No additional public comments were made.
9. Commission and Steering Committee Roundtable: Community Updates and Meeting Reflections
Chair Preston asked for the Commission and the steering committee to share any additional updates or meeting reflections.
10. Future Meetings and Commission Action Steps
Chair Preston stated that the next Commission meeting would be held on September 11, 2024. She also noted that the Food Action Network has begun sending out monthly newsletters to provide updates on what is happening in the community.
Chair Preston adjourned the meeting at 11:42 AM.