Extension
It Starts With Us
Growing Local Foods and Local Leaders
Local Food Systems & Leadership Development to Meet Morgan County Food Needs
Sarah Fannin
Local Food Systems
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
The USDA has identified portions of Morgan County as a “food desert” meaning that residents do not have adequate access to food products. Family farms have been hard hit with the loss of tobacco income, rising input costs, youth outmigration, and tornado damage. Both needs – a lacking local food supply and sluggish farm profits – have potential to be met by implementing direct farm marketing strategies including food sales and agritourism. With the increase of farmers that are female, opportunities exist to develop leadership and Farmer's Market to expand the local food system.
1. Farm families will see increased profits by improving existing operations or adding new food production or agritourism enterprises.
2. Local food consumption and agritourism will contribute significant dollars to the overall Morgan County economy.
3. Morgan County residents will have greater access to safe, affordable, locally produced food.
4. There will be increased access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, schools and other institutions.
5. Women farmers will be recognized as integral parts of the farm economy.
1. Farmers will implement new entrepreneurial opportunities and alternative marketing strategies – especially those targeting the Local Food movement and local vacationing.
2. Local leaders will continue support for ag production as an economic development policy.
3. Morgan County residents will make conscious choices to purchase locally grown food products.
4. Women farmers will apply best management practices in all areas of agriculture.
1. Farmers will gain confidence in entrepreneurial skills/activities for trying new enterprises and direct marketing strategies.
2. Leaders will understand the importance of local food systems in community and economic development.
3. Residents will become aware of new and existing opportunities to purchase locally produced food and the benefits of such purchases.
4. Women farmers will attain practical skills to safely engage in farming.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
TimelineLong-term Outcome: Farm families will see increased profits by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
Indicator: # of new enterprises
Method: agent observation
Timeline: end of 4 year plan of work
Intermediate Outcome: Morgan County residents will make conscious choices to purchase locally grown food products.
Indicator: # of residents indicating increased purchases of local products
Method: pre and post survey
Timeline: Pre survey – October, 2017; Post survey – October, 2018
Initial Outcome: Leaders will understand the importance of local food systems in community and economic development.
Indicator: degree of plan completion & commitment
Method: progress report community asset survey & ag economic development plan by committee
Timeline: June, 2018
Audience: local leaders, farmers, consumers
Project or Activity: Local Food Systems Committee Formation
Content or Curriculum: community mapping of assets & needs as related to food system
Inputs: community & leadership development specialists
Date: August, 2017
Audience: general public, Farmer’s Market, local business
Project or Activity: Market in the Park, Sorghum Festival
Content or Curriculum: buy local campaign materials
Inputs: Old Mill Park, Festival Committees
Date: 1st Saturday in August, 2017, last weekend in Sept
Audience: Sweet Potato Growers Association, Farmer’s Market members, commercial growers
Project or Activity: trainings
Content or Curriculum: value added products, direct marketing, Market Ready, home based microprocessing,
Inputs: Ky Food Innovation Center, vegetable specialists
Date: September, 2017 & April, 2018
Audience: farmers, landowners
Project or Activity: Agritourism School & Tours
Content or Curriculum: entrepreneurship curriculum, site visits
Inputs: agents, KY Farms are Fun
Date: March, 2018
Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Community Garden Project
Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening in KY
Inputs: Extension Farm, Horticulture Dept & agents
Date: March, 2018
Audience: Female Farmers
Project or Activity: Ag Boot Camp
Content or Curriculum: North Carolina Women in Ag series
Inputs: other female farmers, Extension farm & equipment, SAWG funds, agents
Date: July 2017, monthly
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Heritage School
Content or Curriculum: Country Ham Project, Outdoor Cooking, Home Gardening guide
Inputs: Extension farm and equipment
Date: monthly
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Beef
The Morgan County Extension Educational Farm was purchased by the Extension District Board with the vision of providing learning opportunities for Morgan County residents in their own backyard. Planned in conjunction with the County Extension Council Field Day committee, agents and staff hosted the third bi-annual evening event with more than 70 folks in attendance. Featured were on farm projects including the Cow/Calf Management Series, Basics of Curing Country Hams, Growing Hemp, Beginning Bee
