June 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
North Branch resident wins Bush Fellowship
North Branch resident wins Bush Fellowship
She said this is a “once in a lifetime gift” that will provide some financial support and structure, allowing her to follow her own ideas and passion for equity in regards to nutrition through community supported agriculture.
She was pleasantly surprised when the Bush Fellowship administrators told her to make the next couple years be about ‘what do you want to do.’’
She said, “I have always been doing what needs to be done.” Having this opportunity to reflect, get some formal instruction, attend conferences and work on this issue, will be a treat.
The Bush Fellowship is open to anyone age 24 and older who resides in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or one of the native nations within this same area.
The idea is that Bush Fellows use the funding to make a difference and lead change.
More than 2,300 have used the fellowship to advance their education, create resources, hold workshops, provide or attend trainings, set up networks. Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, poet laureate Lee Ann Roripaugh, playwright August Wilson... the list of Bush Fellows is long and the issues this prize has helped to advance is also long.
Kennedy is going to focus on the framework behind regional food systems. She wants to “bring food local.”
She will follow a self-designed plan and hopes to have the effort wrapped-up in two years or maybe a little less. In Chisago County there is already a start on tackling availability of nutritious fresh food, with the Food RX program, partnering with Fairview at this time.
Kennedy observed that, ironically it’s been an illness-- the coronavirus-- that’s allowed the world to see just how vulnerable the food supply chain is. Recent troubles have shed a bright light on what needs to be fixed in the food system.
Bush Fellowship awardees are given a lot of autonomy but they aren’t flying solo.
Kennedy explained, “Along the way there are markers I have to meet and there’s regular reporting (to the fellowship administrators.” The accountability part will be easy for Kennedy, whose day job, which she will continue to perform, is as a contracted county State Health Improvement Partnership director.
She’s been making sure area schools, public entities and non-profits have been aware of the SHIP program and aids in successfully applying for state funds. SHIP follow-up reports to the state are the norm.
SHIP grants have covered equipment for school kitchens, recreation equipment, special drinking fountains, even classroom furnishings.
Her work with the Almelund area Women’s Environmental Institute, has grown on-line food program from a few farms to 24 currently on the vendor listing, while relationships have been forged with the senior center, emergency food agencies and public benefit programs.
Ideally, Kennedy says a model will come out of this Fellowship experience that can be replicated and resulting outcomes will boost job growth, community health, improve accessibility to good food, and help small farms.
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