Keynote Speaker

David Manuel, Foods Coordinator, Red Lake Economic Development and Planning

With an objective of food sovereignty for the 5,000 tribal members of Red Lake Nation, David Manuel broke ground on a test garden for Red Lake's organic food initiative in 2016. With his fellow tribal members suffering from diabetes and cancer at higher-than-normal-rates, Manuel's passion for food goes beyond just his love of gardening. "One of my goals is to create a healthy food system for the Red Lake Nation people, locally produced, managed and grown themselves." states Manuel. "Food sovereignty is my objective."

Join us as we hear all about David Manuel's food journey (think value-added products, farmers' markets, co-op sales, and a bison herd), along with his struggles, successes, creative farming tactics, and his plans for the future. 

David Manuel - Foods Coordinator at Red Lake Economic Development and Planning

Many thanks to the MFMA 2021 Conference Sponsors:

Compeer Financial, Sustainable Farming Association, Minnesota Farmers Union, North Central SARE, and Renewing the Countryside.