Field Notes: Building Regional Connections

To build a regional food system, and maintain a strong network, you must start with a foundation of communication, collaboration, and listening. This is patient work and can sometimes feel slow or at a pace we are not used to in life. FARMWISE Value Chain Professional shares his impressions of building a foundation to make a connection.

Field Notes: Greg Koehler

It would be nice if every interaction I had with an Indiana farmer or food buyer led directly to a successful wholesale transaction.  Like so many things in life, this work is just not that straight forward. The act of fulfilling an order actually turns out to be the simple part.  It is the "block building" - getting to know people, understanding goals and readiness, and supporting needs that eventually lead to the transactions we all want to see. 

Finding Connection

The Connections events that FARMWISE Value Chain Professionals have been leading throughout Indiana are great examples of how simple gatherings are where some of these building blocks are formed. Personally, I’ve been a part of these gatherings in Marshall, St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble counties.

By far, the best part about our Connection events, in my experience, is that the opportunity for face-to-face conversation is a building block for a future building block that just might lead to a transaction. Maybe it's casually talking about land access, a growing method, or a piece of equipment needed to make the job more efficient and profitable. Sometimes, the powerful moment is watching 2 people who live in the same area meet one another for the first time and you just know they will connect further in the future on a project, a sale, or a really good idea.

Like a local farmer reminded me of today - often times if one door closes, another opens.  Its not magic or wishful thinking, it comes from intentional block building that takes time and meaningful dedication. Doors can open with that good foundation.

Contributed by FARMWISE Indiana Value Chain Professional Greg Koehler