Cargill volunteers make a difference for African vegetable farmers in the Twin Cities

Cargill volunteers Anna Teeter and Catherine Carlson spent time this Fall on a unique project for 4AP client Better Greens LLC. Better Greens is a on a mission to bring traditional African vegetables to communities of African origin in the Twin Cities and beyond. From their Medina, MN farmland Funwi Vitalis Tita and his family have been growing hard-to-find African vegetables such as African eggplant, bitter leaves and cassava leaves -- a taste of home for African immigrants in the Twin Cities.

Better Greens was able to leverage Teeter and Carlson's agricultural expertise to gain insight into how improve soil moisture and soil health via cover crops. The volunteers were also able to advise Better Greens on the use of greenhouse structures to protect sensitive crops and extend the growing season in a cold climate.

During the winter off-season, Teeter and Carlson are part of a larger team that is using this time to help Better Greens get ready for Spring planting and working on building financial acumen and access to retail and secondary markets.

Teeter and Carlson's contributions will not only benefit Better Greens, but will extend to the 60+ members of the Minnesota African Immigrant Farmers Association (MAIFA) that Vitalis Tita leads.