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 WebsitesMU Extension Jefferson County, Jefferson County MU Extension Facebook Page,  Missouri Beginning Farming Blog