More than 200 metro-area interns will gather at the upcoming Food Dialogues: A Celebration of Minnesota’s Waters, event on July 26, 2016. The event takes place at the Weisman Art Museum on the Minneapolis Campus of the University of Minnesota and is hosted by the Farm and Food Alliance of Minnesota in partnership with U.S. Farmer & Rancher Alliance (USFRA).

“In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, water quality is a topic that has been top of mind for residents in recent years and continues to make headlines today,” said USFRA Senior Manager of Consumer Communication Emily Dameron.

The Minnesota Food Dialogues event looks to engage future influencers in a discussion about why water quality is everyone’s responsibility. Clean water is vital to producing healthy food, maintaining a thriving economy and supporting a way of life for all Minnesotans to enjoy.

“Our goal is to encourage an open dialogue regarding water and water quality, to share facts on the topic and hopefully dispel myths regarding water and food production,” said USFRA Chief Executive Officer Randy Krotz. “This is an important, invaluable resource and working collaboratively benefits all of us.”

A pre-event gathering will take place at Fulton Brewery the night before the Food Dialogue. Invited guests, influencers, and decision makers will gather to discuss the importance of water conservation, usage and sustainability.

The following day will have the feature panel discussion on water quality and the issues surrounding it. Panel members will include a representative from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a Brew Master, a water quality graduate student from the University of Minnesota, food business sustainability officer, and a Minnesota farmer. This panel discussion will be live-streamed using USFRA’s Facebook account, you can find their page here.

The Farm and Food Alliance of Minnesota is partnership of Minnesota’s commodity organization and allied partners with the common goal of ensuring Minnesota’s agricultural future. Groups involved include: Minnesota Beef Council, Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board, Midwest Dairy Association, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Minnesota Agri-Growth.

About USFRA

USFRA consists of more than 90 farmer and rancher led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture, working to engage in dialogue with consumers who have questions about how today’s food is grown and raised.