Minnesota farming communities face a tall task in protecting themselves from the worst of climate change. A new report checks in on how co-ops are faring in testing out solutions using start-up dollars.

The Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation launched a grant program in 2023 to help new cooperatives pursuing climate resiliency. Co-ops are owned and controlled by their members, who share resources to meet economic and social needs. The foundation's new findings show positive movement for emerging ventures led by farmers.

Hannah Bernhardt, owner and operator of Medicine Creek Farm, raises grass-fed beef in east-central Minnesota. With like-minded farmers in her area needing more freezer space, she said, the grant allowed them to do things they don't always have time for, such as a feasibility study.

"Farmers are already farming. We're pretty busy already," she said. "And so, the challenge with a co-op is that you're then also asking farmers to gather the information."

Bernhardt said they're still in the early stages, but being able to sidestep initial roadblocks has given these local farmers freedom to explore potential business models.

The report says it's still too early to measure long-term success. In the meantime, it recommends that government agencies and support organizations expand technical assistance and streamline the process for other grants.

In northeastern Minnesota, the Farm and Forest Growers Cooperative made use of the foundation's program to look at expanding its network of small farms and nurseries growing climate-adaptive tree seedlings. Co-chair Stefan Meyer said collectively pulling together a business vision and marketing goals can be daunting. Now that they've taken the next step with more members, they have the power to make locally driven decisions.

"From our perspective as a group of farmers," he said, "we really believe in this idea of bringing that money back into communities, as opposed to being a large corporation that may be settled outside of the state."

He said they can use their growth to leverage partnerships with other co-ops around the state. He likened it to a circular economy that's comfortable staying within Minnesota's borders.

According to the foundation, more than two million Americans are members of agricultural co-ops that generate nearly $300 billion in gross business volume each year.

Source: Public News Service