Recently, I have worked with US Federation of Worker Cooperatives as a way to further my efforts as a trainer for markets and food systems. Thankfully, the USF0W is willing to share skills and resources from their excellent DAWN network with other sectors. Worker cooperatives differ from marketing cooperatives in that their very definition is about workers being involved in the decision-making in their workplaces. Marketing cooperatives are often a loose confederation of separately owned businesses marketing products or services together. Both types exists within the market movement, and both types need to be understood better so they can be encouraged more.
The article below talks about rural co-ops and their effect on urban job growth. Effective language and one finds some practical language for markets interested in using co-op techniques to encourage real growth, just as urban communities have done by learning from their rural neighbors.
Rural Co-ops Show the Way to Urban Job Growth – Politics – Utne Reader.
Although it might be better for the Chinese government to spend more time thinking about the environmental degradation of their country than sport, the idea of a “farmers games” does have its provocative side.
It sort of harkens back to county fairs with log rolling and bale tossing games. Games that show a different set of skill and worthiness.
It would just be nice if 4F activities were valued again…
The amazing collaborative food community of Ontario is coming together to hold a 2 day Urban Agriculture Summit on August 15-18, 2012. Will Allen is their keynote and if you haven’t heard him or had the chance to meet and experience his enthusiastic presence and take in some of his knowledge, this is a great opportunity to do it. Having just traveled up there, I know what I’ll be missing! I wish I could find a way to get back for this and learn more and share more about food systems. If you can make it, do so. You’ll thank me later.
MHAP is Now Hiring
The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) is now hiring a Community Organizer for its food policy initiative. If you are a committed advocate for strengthening Mississippi’s food system, this position may be for you.
Purpose: The successful candidate for Community Organizer will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key community stakeholders, policymakers, and state agencies to facilitate food policy initiatives in the state. The Community Organizer will work on both local and statewide levels to build grassroots networks. He/She will be a full time employee of Mississippi Health Advocacy Program reporting directly to the Program Director.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate with various organizations/agencies in planning campaign strategies and tactics
Engage in public outreach to build organization infrastructure
Participate in statewide and local coalition building
Delegate responsibilities and organize people to work on projects
Arrange workshops, meetings, and other training for leadership development
Researches and gathers information for articles, press releases, and other communication vehicles such as social media
Arranges for distribution of communications
Documents meetings through formal minutes as required and follows up as appropriate
Provides administrative support in program committee and coalition work
Qualifications required:
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
Skills: Organizer should have following skills and attributes:
Knowledge of food policy and public health
Creativity, innovation, and decision making skills
Own transportation and valid Mississippi driver’s license is required
Ability to think organizationally
Public speaking skills
Basic computer skills
Motivated to work without supervision
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work as part of a statewide team
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Must be willing to work various hours and some weekends
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems, Public Health, Health Promotion, or other related degree.
For more information about this position email your resume and cover letter to dsmith@mhap.org.
Please keep your eyes and ears out for a new film called Sourlands by Jared Flesher, who also did “The Farmer and The Horse” another agricultural film many of us supported through Kickstarter.
I urge everyone to support this important movie, a documentary film starring food, energy, habitat, crazy weather, global climate change and — most important of all — the people these issues impact.
The new age of Plantascrapers has arrived.
A ‘Vertical Greenhouse’ Could Make a Swedish City Self-Sufficient – Environment – GOOD.
Today (March 8) is International Women’s Day. In the market world, we should honor our women entrepreneurs and also tip our hat to the overwhelming numbers of women organizers involved with public markets. La Via Campensina has long been promoting women in their worldwide peasant movement and today would be a great day to support their work.
Helping Farmers Markets Grow 