NECIC has annual board meeting; talks about North End Local Foods Initiative

MANSFIELD, Ohio – The North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) had their annual meeting of the board of directors Wednesday.

Mary Bolin was selected as the president of the board and Mona Kneuss was selected as vice-president. Loretta Norris will serve as secretary and Sam Weiler will act as treasurer.

“I’m excited to be in this role and I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the north end,” Bolin said.

NECIC is a grassroots organization started in 2007 and is targeted at helping the residents of Mansfield’s north end of town. The organization has primarily been funded by the Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation. Since the non-profits agency’s inception, many programs have been offered that have benefited not only the north end residents but the community as a whole.

Jack Stewart, the organization’s Certified Public Accountant, gave the financial report to board members. He stated the agency had a cash balance of approximately $145,000 as of December.

“One of the big reasons why is because of the income we brought in in December,” he said.

In his first annual board meeting acting as executive director, Col. Michael Howard said he felt it was an “honor and privilege to be sitting in this seat and even attempting to fill the shoes of someone as accomplished as Deanna. I will do the best I can, please bear with me.”

Howard also said he is in regular communication with Deanna West-Torrence, founder of NECIC, who recently moved south.

“I will continue to stay in close contact as needed,” the Colonel stated.

The board had recently approved West-Torrence to be the agency’s Director of Strategic Development, Howard said.

“One of the things she does is advise the executive director,” he said.

Howard then pointed out that one of the successful programs offered by NECIC is the North End Local Foods Initiative (NELFI), which is comprised of the North End Farmers Market, urban agriculture education and more to come this year.

“Fresh food access is important because our residents want a healthy quality of life,” said Jean Taddie, NECIC community garden/ local food coordinator.

Taddie said the benefits of local foods and urban agriculture are: economic development, land use, environmental, tourism, healthy eating, fresh food access, food security and farmer diversification.

NECIC has supported community gardens since 2008 by providing a garden tool shed, resource hub, small grants for community projects, a demonstration garden, weekly garden news email, monthly educational programs, support for volunteers and an annual garden summit.

Taddie said a recent farm bill was passed and the Federal Drug Administration is investing $1.2 billion in supporting local food, beginning farmers, organic agriculture and specialty crops.

“This is the kind of stuff that we would be eligible to apply for through urban agriculture,” Taddie said. “…This is fundable work and communities are taking advantage of it. And it’s good for Mansfield.”

This year, the NELFI plans to expand the farmers market, launch a market incubator, attract funding for a demo farm and access the feasibility of a local foods hub.

Vickie Eichof, an Americorps VISTA with the NELFI, was over the North End Farmers Market. The local market was created in May 2014 to increase fresh foods access in the North End which had recently lost its only grocery store. It also provides economic opportunities for local growers and provides a forum to identify potential candidates for the market gardening incubator. She touched on the high and low lights of the North End farmers market which was successful in its first season.

NECIC will host a Urban Agriculture 101 class from 6-8 p.m. at their offices, 199 N. Main St. Mike Hogan, an associate professor with The Ohio State Extension and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator will facilitate the program. Call 419-525-3101 to reserve a seat at the free class.

The next NECIC regular board meeting will be February 4.

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