Stearns County will host a community workshop about advancing the farm to institute initiative in March.

The purpose of the event is to bring locally grown foods to schools, hospitals, and child care centers. The initiative helps to meet the needs of community members and farmers by connecting them with each other. It also creates a strong community, healthy people and solid local farms.

The initiative originated from cafeteria workshops coordinated by Renewing the Countryside and the University of Minnesota Extension’s Farm. Such events help the community members to access updated information about local food purchasing rules and agricultural practices.

The event is Monday, March 7th at the College of St. Benedict Gorecki Center in St. Joseph, and is open to the public.