Our Children’s Food, Our Children’s Landscape:The Changing Scene of Food and Agriculture

Understanding how this affects me and my community – Shaping solutions

 Study Circle Pilot Project:  Spring/Summer 2006

This is a joint project of the Northwest and West Central Regional Partnerships and the Sustainable Farming Association. In the pilot phase, these partners will develop a study circle curriculum, train facilitators, compare a community model approach in each region, and develop recommendations for expanding the project within these regions and other regions in the state. Pilot phase also offers an opportunity to learn about and subsequent study circles will aid in planning and participating in a food and farming forum to be hosted by Congressman Peterson’s office in early 2007 in Morris and Moorhead areas.

 A study circle …

• is a small, diverse group of 8 to 12 people.

• meets together for several, two-hour sessions. 

• sets its own ground rules. This helps the group share responsibility for the quality of the discussion.

• is led by an impartial facilitator who helps manage the discussion. He or she is not there to teach the group about the issue. 

• starts with personal stories, then helps the group look at a problem from many points of view. Next, the group explores possible solutions. Finally, they make plans for action and change.

Are Study Circles going to lead to action?  

According to the Study Circles Resource Center, study circles have lead to action in many ways:

• Changes affecting individuals—one woman considered moving out of her neighborhood, as she didn’t feel welcomed. After the study circle experience, she made friends and felt a part of the community.

• Changes affecting communities—after the study circle experience, groups have formed to rebuild churches, create resource centers and sponsor soup kitchens.

• Changes affecting local and state governments—in response to input received from study circles involving 1,200 people, a county government has secured a mix of public and private funding for a new solid waste education initiative to include recycling, composting, and waste minimization.

This pilot and expanded fall program will provide input into Congressman Peterson’s food and farming forums in 2007 that could impact policy changes to support sustainable rural communities. The input of study circles participants will also influence the sponsoring organizations priorities of projects. 

Schedule:

 Kickoff - Session 1: How does the topic of "Our Children’s Food, Our Children’s Landscape" touch me personally?

• Where does food, (or food choices, systems, production, service, etc) fit in my personal and professional life?
• What concerns, what joys, does food represent?
• May develop a list of quotes and facts that represent a range of perspectives and points of view and explore the breadth of this topic.
• What can I learn from others in this group? What is a new perspective shared in this study circle?
• What can I add to our common learning?
• The group might make a list of particular aspects that it wants to explore, and choose reading materials that will inform their discussions for the coming session.

Session 2: How does this topic "Our Children’s Food, Our Children’s Landscape" show up or how is this worked out in my community?

What is the nature of the "problem"?

• Changes in the health trends of children (and adults) related to food choices.
• Changes in who grows, processes and prepares food and where this happens.
• Shifts in the patterns of farms on the landscape – small and large farms increasing in Minnesota, mid-sized farms decreasing.
• Changing land values and land use patterns
• Disconnect between farming and food systems.

Session 3: What are the themes and commonalities that we’ve heard? What do we want to focus our attention on as we define action steps?

 Session 4: What are we going to do about this issue in our community? What can we do to address the items/activities that have been named? (moving to action)

 Participant Expectations:

· Commitment to participate in all four sessions.

· Prior to each session, read assigned readings.

· Come with an open mind to hear and learn from others.

· Be willing to share opinions, ideas, articles and resource information.

· Honor the study circle "ground rules" for an enriching discussion.

Reading materials for study circle particpants are posted at the resource library:

Click here for Discussion