PowerPoint Presentation

Cuban Agriculture PolicyLessons for MinneapolisRobin GarwoodPolicy Aide to Council Member Cam GordonA bit of historyPre-revolutionRevolutionSpecial PeriodUSSRUSAInputs, imports1,800 kCal/day

Cuban policy responsesCuba adopted many policies that favor local, low-input agroecological food production:Land accessSoil buildingCoopsMarketsGovernment supportFarm lobbyAcademiaNot all are transferable to Minneapolis, but all offer inspiration for local policyThe tourTwelve local food folks from Mpls/St. PaulGrowers, coops, policymakers staff, educatorsFoodFirst

GlossaryAgroecologyFood Sovereignty

Land access in Cuba:The government allows small farmers to access up to 168 hectares (or 415 acres) for up to 20 years in usufructUsufruct: the farmer has access to the land as long as its kept in active food productionMany large state-owned farms were transitioned to cooperative ownership and operation

Land access ideas for Mpls:Open more government-owned land to farmingAllow a form of usufruct in the Twin Cities by giving long term leases of government-owned land for farmersAllow continuous use by a farmer as long as the land is used for growing foodAgricultural land trust modelNGO acts in government roleRegulatory modelPlace deed restrictions on sold land to keep it in agricultural productionLand outside Mpls (Met Council, etc.)

Composting and soil-building observations from CubaLoss of inputsCompostingVermicultureCompost teaAnimals

Soil-building ideas for MplsAllow more composting at urban farms and market gardensAllow both small and mid-sized composting businesses in communitiesBe sure to include vermicomposting and compost tea operationsPilot composting toilets

Coop observations from Cuba:Coops are everywhere in Cuban agriculture.Models: CPA UBPC CCS

Cooperative ideas for MplsGovernment could more clearly and actively support small growers coops, and use them to support:Land accessFinancingTraining and educationAccess to markets

Government support for agriculture / role of Ministry of Ag in CubaMinAg aids Cuban farmers in several important ways, including:Helping host Campesino y Campesino (or farmer-to-farmer) trainingBreeding and distributing beneficial (pest-controlling) insectsLinking farmers to marketsSupporting growers coopsProviding financing and tools

Government support ideas for MplsOrient more financing and other support to small, urban farms and sustainable farming practicesHelp identify access to markets for small growers

Markets in Cuba

Where do Cubans shop for food?Contracts with hospitals, schoolsGovernment-runCoop-runCurrenciesFarmers make $Market ideas for MplsContinue to increase flexible access to different types of marketsTake a more active role in the downtown farmers marketContinue to build ties to major institutions (hospitals, schools, etc.)

Observations farm lobby role in CubaNational Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) helps with: Campesino y Campesino trainingLand access for farmers (including recommending which farmers get access to land)Helping set agriculture policy

Farm lobby ideas for MplsThe local food / sustainable food movement is disconnected from the most powerful farm lobby organizationsDevelopment of a clear local / sustainable farmer advocacy organization and/or attention to local/sustainable farming from the existing farm lobby organizations would helpConnections between urban and rural activism

Agriculture academia in CubaCuban academic institutions are researching agroecological farming methods, including:Climate-suitable, low-input hybridsWays of growing and using beneficial insectsBuilding soil fertility and more. These insights are shared with farmers through ANAP, the coops, and the Ministry of Agriculture, using the Campesino y Campesino program and other methods.Academia ideas for MplsMore support from U for small farmers using sustainable practicesBiological pest controlHybridsBuilding soil fertilitySupport farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities around new sustainable ag techniques

Future PresentationsSunday, April 19th at 10am at Walker United Methodist Church, 3104 16th Ave SJust RobinThursday, April 23rd from 6pm-8pm at the MN Social Impact Center, 250 N 3rd Ave #550The whole groupStay tuned for more hands-on workshops this summer