Felicity Merritt
Hometown:
Oregon
Felicity is excited to collaborate with a community she is already deeply passionate about, where she spent the last few years supporting local food systems and working closely with beginning farmers. She believes her efforts will have greater impact by being able to take a longer-term, comprehensive approach that will help endure positive change.
Felicity brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to sustainable food systems to her fellowship. With a robust background in nonprofit work at organizations such as the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resource Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) and the North Dakota Local Food Development Alliance, Felicity has honed her skills in community engagement, program management, and partnership development. Her track record includes successful collaboration with local farmers, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders to drive initiatives that promote sustainability. Her educational background in the sciences equips her with robust research and analytical skills to make data-driven decisions that facilitate positive change.
In her role as an ERC Fellow at host site Souris Basin Planning Council (SBPC), Felicity’s work will center on cultivating a thriving food system, broadening food access, and fortifying the local economy. She will collaborate with partners across the state to shape regional strategies and drive project implementation. Felicity’s dedication extends beyond her professional responsibilities; she deeply believes in the transformative power of sustainable food systems for communities.
She enjoys exploring the growing local restaurant, brewery, and coffee shop scene in Fargo, ND where she lives with her husband and their dog, Dipper. In her free time, you can find her at the local farmer’s market, exploring parks and paths with her dog along the Red River, or trying an array of amateur DIY home renovation projects (with varying degrees of success).
ERC Project
Project Title:
Strengthening our region’s food systems and improving rural food access
Host Community or Region:
North Dakota
Host Organization:
Souris Basin Planning Council
In North Dakota, 30,000 farms span 40 million acres yet food deserts prevail. This led to the development of the North Central Regional Food Business Center (NCRFBC), a crucial initiative dedicated to combating the closure of rural grocery stores and enhancing local food systems. In this remote place, developing systems for growing and marketing food supply locally is a matter of community survival. But many rural communities have limited capacity to address this on their own. The ERC Fellow will develop regional plans, secure funding, and engage with a wide range of stakeholders across the region, including local producers, businesses, and government entities. The fellow’s role includes data analysis, community engagement, and strategy implementation. The expected outcome is a robust, sustainable local food system, directly impacting the seven-county region and indirectly benefiting the entire state. This initiative aims to increase food access, support local economies, and strengthen community ties.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
