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Nov. 23, 2022
New to OSHII
Join us in welcoming the newest member of our Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Control team. Heather Hirsch joins us as the new Prevention Grants and Initiatives Supervisor, and started in her role on Nov. 9. This is a new position created through the Youth E-cigarette Prevention and Cessation Initiative funds to oversee our expanding community grant programs. Heather will oversee and supervise the grant managers for the Commercial Tobacco-Free Communities, Youth E-cigarette Prevention and Cessation, and Technical Assistance and Training community grant programs. She will also be joining the OSHII Leadership Team to help provide overall direction, as well as help connect commercial tobacco work across OSHII.
Heather has an extensive background of working in public health and community engagement – including formerly working at MDH in the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. Her role focused on providing staff support to the Minnesota Cancer Alliance and their statewide cancer plan implementation and partnership activities. For the past nine years Heather has worked at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), serving as the School Climate Coordinator and interim Supervisor. In this role she served MDE’s subject matter expert and team lead for school climate improvement, a bullying and harassment investigation trainer, and national expert in social emotional learning assessment.
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Brian Bluhm started with OSHII on November 14 as the new Technical Assistance and Training Coordinator. In this role, Brian will help to plan, implement, and evaluate technical assistance and training support for SHIP work across the state.
Prior to working at MDH, Brian worked in a variety of positions with the goal of increasing community sustainability, health, and well-being. He has a M.Ed. with a concentration in Environmental Education, and he is a 4 time AmeriCorps member. Most recently Brian was the Regional SHIP Coordinator with Healthy Northland, serving as the connection between OSHII and Local SHIP working across the 7-county NE MN region. Brian is looking forward to applying what he’s learned working in partnership with local public health and local communities to supporting both OSHII and Local SHIP Staff in this statewide role!
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If you're working with a school nutrition department and they're interested in making new connections with farmers and producers in your area, this is the event for them!
Join Minnesota Farm to School partners (Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension and Renewing the Countryside) when we come to your area for a farm to school workshop and networking event.
The first workshops are on December 1 and 2 and space is limited so register early!
To view the agenda, learn more and register, visit the University of Minnesota Extension’s website.
If you have questions, email Samantha.Burington@state.mn.us.
MDA Seeks Feedback for draft application for the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is looking for public input on a draft application for the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program. Feedback shared during this process will inform the final application process for this competitive grant program, which is expected to be released in winter 2023. Find the complete draft and information about how to provide feedback on the MDA website. There will be several virtual input sessions and an online form available through December 12, 2022.
The goal of the LFPA program is to purchase local food from socially disadvantaged farmers and distribute this food to underserved communities throughout the state. The draft application outlines the proposed requirements and application process for this program and funding. Feedback is welcome from potential applicants to the program along with others interested in community food systems, including farmers, food hubs, economic development agencies, and hunger relief networks.
November is the time to be thankful, a time to remember, and to embrace those who enrich our lives. Thank you for all you do!
Sending warm wishes your way and hoping you, your family and friends have a fantastic Thanksgiving Day!
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