A team of 4AP volunteers is supporting Better Greens and the Minnesota African Immigrant Farmers Association (MAIFA) as they prepare to install a walk-in produce cooler at their shared farmland in Otsego, MN.
Thanks to two grants—one from the 4AP/NEON Small Equipment Grant Fund* and another from MN Department of Agriculture— MAIFA was able to purchase a 400 sq ft cooler which will significantly extend the shelf life of the farmers’ produce, reduce waste, and increase their ability to sell locally. Many of the farmers have been farming with limited tools and equipment and this cooler represents a big step forward for their farming businesses.
When we started this project, we knew we would need volunteers with expertise in facilities planning, equipment installation and logistics-- and what better place to find them than in the General Mills JFB Shop! Volunteers Dave Strehlow and Andy Herke, along with 4AP Senior Advisor Tom Zingsheim, have stepped up to provide guidance on everything from equipment selection to electrical planning.
When Mendy originally shared this project with Dave, his response was "How can I help?" That can-do attitude has continued throughout the project, with Dave recruiting Andy to help with electrical planning, and Tom drawing up site plans and working with the equipment vendor. The cooler is now scheduled to be up and running by mid-summer.
Thanks to the dedication of this volunteer team, Better Greens and MAIFA are one step closer to a more sustainable, profitable future.
* The Small Equipment Grant Fund was established with a donation from a Division of Cargill, the grants are intended to unlock productivity and help entrepreneurs scale their businesses, a critical need.