E. Reports to Committee
Regular Business Reports
- Food Plan – CATON CAMPBELL
No report
- Regional Agriculture & Food Sovereignty – TESCH
The last meeting included discussion on the City of Madison Farmland Preservation
Task Force and related meetings, local market development updates from REAP Food
Group, and updates from Wisconsin Food Systems, Inc. There was also a discussion
on transparency in local food purchasing programs.
- DFAN/Double Dollars – Guffey Calkins
Double Dollars Program set to open in Dane County in June. New markets have been
added in Verona and Sun Prairie.
JANISCH arrived at 6:10pm.
- Community Gardens – Nicholas Leete via Guffey Calkins
Following the dissolution of the Town of Madison, its three community gardens have
been absorbed along with it: one (Southdale Community Garden) into the City of
Fitchburg system, managed locally and overseen by the Parks department; two into the
City of Madison - Fraust Park and Heifetz Park Community Gardens, which have been
added to the lease Rooted WI has with the City of Madison for most community gardens
on city land.
Upcoming event: The Dane County Community Garden Summit will be held June 15,
16th and 17th at three different gardens in Madison, hosted by Rooted WI and
UW-Extension Madison. More details and registration information can be found at
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future - Community of Learning Practice –
TESCH
Last meeting was in-person in Jackson, MS. One discussion piece was about how to
bridge bureaucracy and community. More materials forthcoming.
- City of Madison Business Development Specialist
No report
- Public Health Madison & Dane County – Nick Heckman via Guffey Calkins
The federal Public Health Emergency came to an end on May 11.
- Extension/Dane County – Guffey Calkins
Dane Demonstration Farm Network – Dane County Land & Water Resources
Department (LWRD) will be establishing a Demonstration Farm Network in Dane
County to conduct on-farm research and to facilitate learning opportunities. LWRD will
be identifying potential farms through the summer of 2023. Farmers who participate as
a demonstration farm are eligible for an incentive payment. If interested in participating,
reach out to Kim Meyer at Dane County LWRD at 608-445-1474. Details:
Upcoming food systems educational events on the UW-Madison Extension Dane
programs.
Council Discussion
- Pandemic Food System Study – WARNER
Information was shared from the most recent discussions on next steps and fiscal
needs related to this study. The subgroup will continue to discuss.
