for eligible populations. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are currently stable.
Dane County – Jess Guffey Calkins
1. Extension is accepting applications for a Regional Dairy Educator position that covers
Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, and Rock counties and across the state. Please spread the
word: application information is here:
d-rock-counties.
Regular Business Reports
1. Community Gardens – Nicholas Leete via Jess Guffey Calkins
Community Gardens: Hmong gardeners in McFarland, after losing 3 acres of land to the
new community park in McFarland, will be able to continue growing for at least 5 years,
on land leased by Rooted WI, Inc. from the McFarland school district starting in 2022. It
is a 9 acre plot, so the land will also provide additional growing space for other vegetable
growers beyond those displaced from their former location. Rooted continues to explore
other options on the county scale for mid-scale vegetable gardeners.
Within Madison, Rooted community garden staff are also looking at options for gardeners
from two gardens being disrupted by neighborhood development near the capitol -
Crowley Station Community Garden and Triangle community garden. Beyond this,
community gardens are tying up loose ends of garden cleanup, water system
winterization, and final crop harvests.
Double Dollars Program –Alma Horlock and Kirsten Moore via Jess Guffey Calkins
1. Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin (CACSCW) –
Double Dollars program performance numbers for June 1 – Oct 31 2021 at farmers’
markets, excluding redemption totals as final redemptions run through December.
Program history supports a rate of redemption above 95% year-over-year. Anyone who
would like to receive the 2021 year-end report can email Alma at almah@cacscw.org.
2,075 – total customers (980 new customers; 754 returning; 341
unidentified/anonymous)
4,317 – total transactions.
EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) distributed - $113, 365
Double Dollars distributed - $90, 838
Willy Street Co-op -
1. In the first month of Double Dollars at the Co-op, both issuance and distribution were
up over 70% from past averages. Part of this can be accounted for due to three
Tuesdays of issuance in that fiscal period instead of two as has happened in the past.
That said, average weekly issuance has been up 55% over past averages, so the
numbers are still high right out the gate. This is suspected to be due to the continued
increase in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits usage since the
beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
2. During the Co-op's Fiscal Quarter 1 (July-September), contributions to the Double
Dollars Fund from the Co-op were up overall 10% over past averages.
Values, Race, and Power Community of Practice – Abha Thakkar
1. The Community of Practice group has had two introductory sessions; excited to share
more out as the process continues.
DCFC Strategic Plan
1. DCFC members held a discussion about the DCFC draft strategic plan that was
developed in 2019/2020 before the pandemic. Progress has been made on several of the
objectives, including increased partnership work between the two food councils. There
was interest in capturing the work that’s occurred, and continuing the discussion on focus
areas for DCFC.
