Where We Are and Where We're Going: the NH Food Alliance Network in 2021

Key takeaways from the Network Development Retreat
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Thank you to all who participated in the 2021 Network Development Retreat! Similar to our 2021 Network Health Assessment, our retreat provided us extensive feedback on the function and actions of our network. We have summarized all of the feedback with a focus on successes, action items, and areas of work and organized the information within the NH Food Alliance Network’s impact and focus areas. Read on for the full summary, including links to the Network Development Retreat agenda, jamboard, and participant lookbook.

OVERALL SUCCESSES

  • Our network saw a positive trend in development, specifically increased development in partner commitment, better alignment around core values, and finding value in our collective work.
  • Our network excels at the exchange of learning and information and maintaining a statewide and/or systems level perspective.

SUCCESS BY FOCUS AREA
Based on the presentations given during the retreat, below are the programs and initiatives that have successfully developed out of our network’s collective work.

Increase Farmland Conservation and Access 

Improve Food Security and Local Food Access

Promote Racial Equity in Our Food System

  • Racial Equity Action Team
    • UNH Extension’s Racial Equity Network Assessment
      Olivia Saunders, UNH Extension

Respond and Adapt to Climate Change

Support Local Farm, Fish, and Food Businesses

Grow the Movement of Local Eaters

NH Farm to School Network

NE Regional Initiatives

REMINDER! Browse the Participant Lookbook if you wish to connect with someone you met during the retreat, as well as the Projects // Initiatives Jamboard to view other work happening across the network.

GAPS & OPPORTUNITIES

THE NETWORK
Diversify and deepen network connections and engagement, especially among traditionally underrepresented communities, policy-makers, and climate groups.

  • Focus on strengthening connections with organizations in under-represented parts of the state, especially the Lakes Region and North Country. 
  • Provide statewide network benefits for regionally focused organizations
  • Connect with and provide support to state agencies and farmer-focused networks Develop an interactive map of the Network, available on the website, to identify current and potential partners 
  • Expand the Network by creating opportunities for existing partners to invite others in. 

COMMUNICATIONS & STORYTELLING
Activate and engage network partners and the public through inspirational storytelling and shared communication tools and resources. 

  • Explore ways to communicate across Action Teams. For example, utilize the NHFA newsletter and website to share each teams’ agenda and meeting notes with the wider network. 
  • Develop the NH Food Alliance LinkedIn Group to allow for direct communication between Network Partners, in hopes that members will share updates, job listings, and events with each other. 

COLLABORATIVE ACTION
Catalyze collaboration to advance policy changes, generate knowledge, and build collective solutions at the community, state, and regional levels. 

  • Created a Projects // Initiatives Jamboard to visualize ongoing collaborations
  • Create opportunities to collaborate on fundraising, such as hosting a fundraising-focused workshop(s) in winter 2022.
  • Continue to incubate ideas and spark collaboration through Action Teams, Network Cafés, and other events co-hosted with partners. 

LEARNING & LEADERSHIP
Foster learning and skill-building among network partners so that we can be effective leaders, collaborators, and advocates for change.

  • Create a professional development focused program within the NH Food Alliance to provide opportunities for individuals in the Network to become stronger, more effective advocates for change.  What specific skill, program, etc would you like an opportunity to learn? Let us know here.
  • Identify more opportunities to co-host learning-focused events with regional/statewide partners to share information and ideas across the state (e.g., the Fall Policy Forum with Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition, League of Conservation Voters, etc.)
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