[Minneapolis, MN] On the Commons, a national network that promotes innovative commons-based solutions, has awarded Reginaldo “Regi” Haslett-Marroquin the “Uncommon Commoner Award” for November. The award honors individuals across the country doing exceptional work to solve problems in our communities.
Haslett-Marroquin has been the director of the Rural Enterprise Center in Northfield, MN, since 2007. The Rural Enterprise Center, a program of the Main Street Project, links landowners with prospective small farmers and then connects them with consumers seeking healthier local food.
One successful example of how the center is making a difference is the Hillside Farmers Cooperative. This small farmer co-op is a shining example of an emerging idea known as “commons-based development”—
The idea for the co-op was born when Haslett-Marroquin realized that many people around Northfield lacked access to healthy, local food while recent immigrants lacked the financial means to capitalize on their experience as sustainable small farmers. In addition, small farmers were frustrated that their only chance for staying in business was to subcontract with large corporations that did not respect their land or traditions.
“I come from the commons,” declared Haslett-Marroquin, who grew up in Guatemala, where his family still farms communal lands, “and I am going back to the commons. The whole idea about the commons is so entrenched in what we are doing.”
Regi’s vision is working. There are now ventures throughout Minnesota in Dodge City, Faribault, Northfield, Cannon Falls and Owatonna. In Northfield, home of their main activity centers, the community garden has expanded to 105 plots from 48 in 2008 and 45 families from the Latino community and 15 from the Anglo community worked together to grow food and built community. Next year the garden will grow to 130 plots. . They have plans to expand to eight counties over the next several years — and envision eventually working in 38 counties across southern Minnesota.
“A common-sense structure is possible in the agricultural sector. We can offer it as a model for every community in the country that is interested in a food production system that doesn’t deplete the land and doesn’t deplete the people that work the land,” said Haslett-Marroquin.
Haslett-Marroquin, with his wife and their kids, moved to Northfield three years ago.
