Monica Walch Latz started Dinner On The Farm in 2009 with a mission of creating unique events that celebrate and support local farms. Monica has extensive experience in the organic, marketing and restaurant industries, as well as connections and relationships with local farmers and chefs. She had an early start in the organic world, growing up on a dairy farm which is now part of the Organic Valley Coop. While getting her undergrad degree at Winona State University, she was employed at the Bluff Country Coop, where she learned even more about the importance of supporting local, organic, small-scale and biodiverse farms. After relocating to the Twin Cities and working in restaurants where she was able to apply her knowledge of local food systems, Monica transitioned to a job in marketing. She coordinated a nation-wide organic food awareness campaign in retail stores, working with the Organic Trade Association and Earth Day Network, before starting Dinner On The Farm.
Jennifer Peterson is the social media and public relations coordinator for Dinner on the Farm. She is a stay at home mom of two children who loves and supports everything local. She and her husband live on a sustainable farm and work with the land and their animals every day to farm in harmony with the environment. Jennifer does classes in conjunction with the community garden she started and managed the local farmers’ market as well.
Megan Dorn is the online organizer and website coordinator for Dinner on the Farm. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Journalism School. While working in the communications field for a few years after school, she developed a passion for cooking and preparing local, healthy food and is now studying culinary arts at St. Paul College. Megan also won a scholarship last spring from the group Women Who Really Cook!
Monica Rauchwarter is the children’s’ educational coordinator for Dinner on the Farm. She is a seasonal naturalist at several local nature centers, including Lowry and Dodge. She staffs events and tours at the nature centers and helps connect children and their families with how their food is grown and the importance of supporting local food. She studied biology in college and brings a great knowledge of ecological systems and how supporting sustainable farming effects them. Monica’s second major is in communication studies.
