Local Foods Initiatives

In 2019, Cottage Grove applied for and was awarded planning assistance through the Local Foods, Local Places program to develop an action plan for growing our existing and emerging food assets in tandem with our ongoing efforts at downtown revitalization and place-making. 

The Local Foods, Local Places program is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. Cottage Grove was one of 16 communities across the United States selected to participate in the program in 2020. A Local Foods, Local Places steering committee was formed in Cottage Grove to prepare for the planning assistance award and was comprised of a variety of community partners. They were supported by a planning assistance team comprised of consultants and multiple federal and state agency partners. The Steering Committee worked to prepare a set of draft goals, which were designed to catalyze economic growth in Cottage Grove, coordinate efforts with diverse partners, and bring economic vitality to Cottage Grove through the growth of the local food system and entrepreneurship.

The Local Foods, Local Places Steering Committee and Partners held a two-day workshop held in November 2020. Over 60 community members attended all or part of the virtual workshop. The steering committee and additional community members joined after the workshop to synthesize findings into a Final Community Action Plan, which will be presented to City Council on March 22, 2021. 

The Steering Committee continues to meet to implement elements of the plan, and our partners are working diligently. We will keep the community up-to-date on successes, both large and small.

For more information, contact City Planner, Eric Mongan, at seniorplanner@cottagegrove.org.