Main Street Project joined a dynamic group of speakers – and an audience of several thousand — at the Climate Reality Training August 2-4 in Minneapolis. The event was the 42nd training for this organization, founded by Former Vice-president Al Gore.
Julie Ristau, Executive Director of Main Street Project, was joined on the panel by moderator Mr. Gore, Jessica Gutknecht, a soil scientist from the University of Minnesota, and Lauren Mehler Pradhan, the Managing Director of Grow North MN, which works to develop Minnesota’s food and ag entrepreneurs.
According to Mr. Gore, agriculture, forestry and land use contribute 25% of Greenhouse Gas emissions.
Regenerative agriculture is a big part of the solution, Julie stressed in her remarks. “What are the obstacles to making a transition to regenerative agriculture? This gathering is about courage, connection and how we are all interdependent. So is Main Street Project. “We are showing farmers how to make that transition on the ground.”
Julie also discussed the equity lens that Main Street Project brings to the climate change conversation. “We are mindful of the community in which we work. We serve immigrants who come to this country with farming experience. We co-create with them a model of poultry and perennials that will help them succeed.”
Those trained at the Climate Reality event are now encouraged to become climate activists in their communities. They join about 20,000 others who have now been trained through the group.
To learn more about how we’re combating our food and climate crisis check out our video!