Midwest Collaborative

The Midwest Collaborative (MWC) is a partnership between FoodRoutes Network and the Midwest Food Alliance, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, Center for Integrated Agriculture Systems at the University of Wisconsin, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and Iowa State University Extension. This partnership was organized to research and develop strategic consumer communication messages and strategies for pasture-raised products-beef, pork, poultry, dairy marketed directly to consumers in the upper Midwest.

The MWC's Pasture-Raised Products project has the following major goals:

• To assess consumers' interest and demand for food products raised on pasture (in an environmentally and socially responsible manner), and willingness to purchase those products directly from farmers.
• To support farmers who choose to direct market pasture-raised beef, pork, poultry, and dairy products directly to consumers with research-based and research-tested messages and communication strategies to enhance their communication to consumers.
• To support a movement in the Midwest (pasture-raised beef, pork, poultry and dairy animals) that will significantly reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment and improve farmers' direct marketing efforts through enhanced communication and marketing messages to consumers.

ABOUT THE MWC PARTNERS

Midwest Food Alliance

The Midwest Food Alliance is a coalition of farmers, processors, distributors, grocers, and consumers in the Midwest, working together to ensure that our children and grandchildren have "Good Food for a Healthy Future." The Midwest Food Alliance promotes the expanded use of sustainable farming practices by recognizing farmers who produce food in environmentally and socially responsible ways.

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a unique partnership between the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and non-profit organizations. The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond.

Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS)

The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) is a sustainable agriculture research center housed at the University of Wisconsin's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The center works to develop sustainable agriculture research programs that respond to farmer and citizen needs by involving them in setting the research agenda. The CIAS staff works together with a ten member Citizen Advisory Board and a nine-member group of faculty to carry out their research and programs.

Please click here to read more about CIAS/FoodRoutes partnerships.

Practical Farmers of Iowa

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to "farmers helping farmers make better decisions." The organization's mission is to promote farming systems that are profitable, ecologically sound, and good for families and communities.

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

The Leopold Center is a research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture explores and cultivates alternatives that secure healthier people and landscapes in Iowa and the nation.

Iowa State University Extension

ISU Extension builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve quality of life in Iowa. ISU Extension provides research-based information and education to agricultural producers, landowners, and agribusiness personnel to enhance the value of Iowa's agricultural industry, increase rural vitality, and protect the state's natural resources.

For more information on pastured-raised meat and dairy, please visit our FAQs section.