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Beyond the Bottomline: Empowering Rural Communities Through Local Food Systems with Katelyn Yee



Join us for an inspiring conversation with Katelyn Yee, Local Foods Program Coordinator at Renewing the Countryside, as she shares insights on strengthening local food systems, fostering collaborations, and supporting small farmers across the Midwest. Discover how nonprofit initiatives are fueling rural development and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Katelyn shares her journey from AmeriCorps food bank work to supporting emerging food and beverage makers through a grant program she brought with her to Renewing the Countryside — a 20-year-old nonprofit spanning Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa that prides itself on being a connector of farmers, small businesses, and communities.

She also dives into FEAST, their flagship program since 2014 that links local food producers with grocery stores, schools, hospitals, and everyday consumers looking to source more local food. A great listen for anyone passionate about rural communities, small farmers, and the future of local food systems.

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What We Explore in This Episode

  • Supports farmers, growers, and small food businesses
  • Strengthens local and regional food economies
  • Promotes collaboration across the Midwest
  • Helps connect local food producers with buyers and consumers
  • Encourages sustainable practices and community resilience

About Renewing the Countryside

Renewing the Countryside is a Minnesota-based nonprofit working across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa to strengthen local food systems, support conservation efforts, and help rural communities thrive. Their work focuses on connecting farmers, small businesses, organizations, and consumers through practical collaboration and community-driven programming.

 

What makes Renewing the Countryside stand out is its role as a connector. The organization helps bring people and resources together across the food and agriculture ecosystem, creating opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs to reach more markets, build stronger businesses, and share their work with the public.

 

Over the years, Renewing the Countryside has developed programs that support local food access, farm business growth, and community engagement. These include grant programs for emerging food and beverage producers, the long-running FEAST local foods events, and volunteer efforts like Farm Buds that bring community members directly into farm-based work. Their approach is rooted in relationships, storytelling, and on-the-ground understanding of what rural communities need most.

 

At its core, Renewing the Countryside is about building stronger local economies and healthier food systems by supporting the people who grow, make, and sell food. Their work reflects a belief that local food is not just about agriculture — it is about community, resilience, and long-term impact.

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