Nikki Warner on LinkedIn: Excited to see my letter to the editor published in today's edition of The… (2024)

August is peak season for those of us in the ag world, even for non-farmers like me! This week at The Good Acre, we hosted an incredible event in partnership with Renewing the Countryside and Sprout MN, focusing on how we're working together to accelerate climate resilience, economic development for farmers, and increasing food access in our region. I also participated in a fruitful discussion at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with leaders from The Food Group and Second Harvest Heartland about how we can work together for the 2025 legislative session. Grateful to collaborate with such dedicated and amazing women!The DNC wasn't the only convention that was lit this week -- I also had the pleasure of hosting the annual convention for the Hennepin/Ramsey County chapter of the Minnesota Farmers Union! Before diving into business, I gave a tour of The Good Acre to National Farmers Union staff and members from across the country. We enjoyed fantastic food and an inspiring talk from my dear friend, Chef Yia Vang, who reminded us of the importance of making sacrifices to better the next generation. I’m honored to have been nominated as our new Chapter President (I accept!) and am extra excited to have Laura Wyatt join our county leadership team!And of course, no week at the end of August would be complete without the Minnesota State Fair! Volunteering at the Minnesota Grown booth on opening day was a blast, especially that magical closing shift which felt like a scene from Night at the Museum. I learned so much about the dairy industry and bearded iris from Ron Cosner of Rensoc Farm in Hutchinson and MDA's Feed Inspection division from Anna Clarke!To top it all off, I wrapped up my local fair food guide (check it out at TheGoodAcre.org!) and enjoyed the fair with my family. We even bumped into Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan at the Farmers Union Coffee Shop, took a ride on the giant slide, and caught an epic sunset on the sky glider.Life is full, joyful, and busy, and I’m finally taking a moment this weekend to soak it all in. Grateful for this vibrant community, my incredible team at The Good Acre, and the support from my loved ones at home who make it possible for me to pursue this work with passion and purpose.

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I'm immensely proud of my colleagues at The Good Acre for successfully bringing this partnership to fruition! Kudos to Anna Richardson and Micah Helle for their relentless efforts in expanding market opportunities for our network of partner farmers 🎉

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"National governments and the whole of COP28 should take inspiration from these climate action heroes, and build on what cities are already doing—supporting local government actions with more funding and scaling them out to other cities and regions. That’s where hope for a cleaner, greener and healthier future lies." Here is a little dose of hope for the work ahead of us 🥕 ✨

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Grateful for an awesome Lobby Day today with theMinnesota Farmers Union! I joined over 90 members to meet with legislators and hear from folks at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Attorney General’s office, and even the big cheese himself, Governor Tim Walz. The Governor’s message, or what I took away from it at least, was that the road to change may feel long, but it is possible to fast-track progressive policies. He cited last year’s monumental wins from universal free meals to passing a historic ag budget to expanding MinnesotaCare with a public option. It was such a timely message because, honestly, thinking about some of the urgent work needed in the climate, food & ag space as a “long game” can get kind of depressing😫 Needless to say, it was a message that I really needed to hear today.⁣ 💫 ⁣So here is me, keeping at it with my fellow MFU friend/Executive Director at Mill City Farmers Market and Charitable Fundand 2 of the 3 staffers that make up the incredible legislative team at MFU. Together we’re showing up to advance policies RIGHT NOW that support climate resilience, farm to school, investments into beginning and emerging farmers, competitive markets, right to repair, and more.⁣⁣If you’re interested in joining this crew (and no you do not have to be a farmer!) please reach out! As Co-VP of the Hennepin/Ramsey Chapter of the MN Farmers Union, I’m cooking up some really fun ideas to engage our local members and dive into all the ways that ag policy in Minnesota impacts us all. ⁣⁣#MFULobbyDay#Advocacy#ChangeMakers

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To say I'm proud to see TGA's LEAFF program be recognized in MN's Climate Action Plan would be an understatement! It's an honor to be able to advocate for this truly one-of-a-kind program. LEAFF not only expands market access for farmers but also addresses the challenges of growing food in a changing climate while supporting food-insecure communities across the state. Honored to be part of a program making a meaningful impact on multiple fronts. 🌱

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Are you ever in the car right at 9am when the Angela Davis show starts on MPR News and then you get where you are going but need to stay in your car to listen longer because what you hear is SO GOOD? That was this episode for me today which started right as I was driving near George Floyd Square. This discussion hits on so many things I'm currently thinking about in my own work, like cultivating community, centering humanity, choosing hope over fear, and the role of food in all of that. Take a listen, maybe it will inspire you too. https://lnkd.in/gwm96uqq

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Inspiring read about how Brazil's National School Food Program is not only nourishing young minds but also combating hunger on a national level and creating economic opportunity for farmers. "Since 2009, a rule has required that at least 30% of federal funds go to produce supplied by small-scale or family farms, with preference given to local suppliers." 30 PERCENT! This is the kind of anti-hunger, pro-farm policy we need more of 👏 🇧🇷

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My journey into the vibrant world of farmers markets first began when I started managing the Penn Quarter FRESHFARM farmers market in DC in 2012. I fondly recall luminaries like José Andrés and his dedicated chef brigade loading up their carts week in and week out with the freshest seasonal delights our market vendors had to offer. When I started managing the Foggy Bottom Farmers Market I found inspiration once again from individuals like Emily (Hagel) Paul, Head Chef at Miriam's Kitchen at the time, and Gus Schumacher, a generous regular who funded a Nurses Day token promo for the nurses at GW Hospital which was right next door. Gus's legacy lives on through the USDA's GusNIP program, supporting EBT matching dollars and veggie Rx programs nationwide to the tune of $270M since 2019. And as for Emily, to know her is to love her and as luck would have it, we both ended up marrying Minnesotans and moving to Minneapolis within months of each other! When I relocated to Minneapolis in 2016, I knew that I'd find my people at farmers markets and I was able to jump right into the amazing local food system here as the EBT coordinator for an epic season at the Mill City Farmers Market and Charitable Fund and Marketing Coordinator at the Minnesota Farmers Market Association before joining The Good Acre full time. The notion that I'd find my people ended up being so true, many of the farmers, staffers, and volunteers I met that first year in Minnesota remain friends to this day. Farmers markets are where neighbors and food systems intersect – two of my absolute favorite things. This is why I'm thrilled to be joining the board at Neighborhood Roots (MN) a 501c4 nonprofit organization that is the home of the Kingfield, Fulton, and Nokomis farmers markets! This opportunity allows me to channel my farmers market passion, knowledge, and hands-on experience into fostering vibrant, healthy communities right here at home. For those seeking more joy, friendship, connection, and amazing food in 2024, meet me at the farmers market this upcoming growing season! And if you're a business or nonprofit looking to engage meaningfully with the Kingfield, Fulton, or Nokomis neighborhoods, don't hesitate to reach out! 🌱

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Honored to have attended the Minnesota African Immigrant Farmers Association end-of-season harvest party last night! Their mission to unite and represent African immigrant farmers in Minnesota is truly inspiring. This group understands that farming is about more than growing good food, it’s about planting the seeds of unity, opportunity, and prosperity in our communities.This year, collaborating with changemakers like Vitalis Tita, jane windsperger, Onesmus N. Mutio, MBA, David Van Eeckhout, Heidi Coe, Lillian Otieno, MPH, Mr. Patrice Bailey, and Comissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen on issues impacting emerging farmers has been an absolute joy. We’ve got something extraordinary going on here, we are even home to the first Emerging Farmer Office in the country!I'm committed to ensuring our lawmakers know that emerging farmers deserve to be invested in. Our climate is changing, our globalized food system is broken, and we’ve got a rare opportunity to invest in resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems right now. We’re on the precipice of something big, we should all be asking ourselves which side we’re on.Cheers to a 2023 that beat the odds and a 2024 that is going to build on so much momentum. Let's take this moment to celebrate, recharge, and gear up for the purposeful, and impactful work ahead. Ready to join me? I'm hiring at The Good Acre, apply by Dec. 11th!

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