Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator, originally published in June 2015.
Their Food Story: Technically, MCE first connected with MU Extension’s Jefferson County Office at the end of December, when it hosted a workshop, Creating Economic Development Through Local Food Systems. Melissa met several people at the workshop who work to support local food and has continued to engage with them since.
A Person Behind the Project: Debi Kelly is MU Extension’s Horticulture/Local Food Specialist and assists farmers in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties with production and marketing their products. 
This spring, Debi provided a Grow Your Farm workshop in Jefferson County, a ten session program designed to provide training and resources to beginning farmers. EarthDance Farms and Lincoln Extension also contributed to the workshop. Debi is also the co-coordinator of the Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (SARE PDP) and sits on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Organic Association. Debi has a whole host of experience and knowledge to share on sustainable agriculture and assisting farmers with making their farms successful!
Organizational Websites: MU Extension Jefferson County, Jefferson County MU Extension Facebook Page, Missouri Beginning Farming Blog