Local Food System DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Lawrence County CES

Title:
Local Food System Development
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resource Development
Agents Involved:
Faris, Maggard, McCreary
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farmer's Markets
Situation:

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Dietary fiber from vegetables, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. (USDA, Choose MyPlate). The Partnership for a Fit KY reports that 1 in 5 KY adults have difficulty getting adequate fresh produce where they live. In Lawrence County, only 4% of county residents consume the recommended 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day. (KY Health Facts). When compared to supermarket produce, locally sourced fruits and vegetables win with nutritional value. They have the advantage of shorter shipment time, varieties that are full of flavor instead of shelf life and higher quality production methods. (Harvard School of Public Health). The Lawrence County Extension Office serves as an educational source to farmers and consumers about the importance and benefits of growing, purchasing and consuming locally sourced foods.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Lawrence County population will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day.

*Lawrence County residents improve food management skills and healthy eating habits.

*Increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmers market.

*Increase access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions

*Increase consumer confidence/demand in local foods

*Youth will develop self-help skills by learning to raise and preserve their own foods.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Individuals and families adopt 1 or more food preparation, food management/preservation, and/or food safety skills for improving health and food security

* Increase the number of households planting gardens, harvesting and preparing produce for nutritional value and food security.

*Individuals and families utilize community support services to increase food security

*Lawrence County residents have a reliable source for locally sourced foods

*Increase in producers offering samples at farmers market and apply food safety practices and/or procedures

*Youth will gain lifelong skills in food prep and food preservation.

Initial Outcomes:

*Individuals and families gain knowledge and skills in gardening, food preparation and preservation to improve health and food security

*Community partners recognize the need to address food security for all ages

*Lawrence County residents identify and locate where locally sourced foods are sold

*Lawrence County residents understand the importance and benefits of purchasing and consuming locally sourced foods

*Youth will understand the importance of growing their own food and preserving this for future consumption and cost-efficiency.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals and families gain knowledge and skills in gardening, food preparation and food preservation to improve health and food security

Indicator: Number of people participating in programs and workshops

Method: Pre/Post evaluations; observation; personal narratives

Timeline: 2016-2020


Intermediate Outcome: Individuals and families adopt 1 or more skills in gardening, food preparation and or food preservation to improve health and food security

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting adopting 1 or more skills

Method: Pre/Post evaluations, personal narratives

Timeline: 2016-2020


Long-term Outcome: Individuals and families improve health and food security by positive behavioral changes in gardening, food preparation and food preservation skills

Indicator: Increase number of people improving health and food security

Method: Pre/Post evaluations; KY Health Facts; CDC-BRFSS

Timeline: 2016-2020


Initial Outcome: Youth will understand the importance of growing their own food and preserving this for future consumption and cost-efficiency.

Indicator: Number of youth regularly attending programs

Method: pre/post evaluations, observation, classes

Timeline: May, June & July 2016-2020


Intermediate Outcome: Youth will gain lifelong skills in food prep and food preservation.

Indicator: Number of youth indicating they've begun to cook, prepare and preserve home grown foods

Method: pre/post evaluations, observation, classes

Timeline: May, June & July 2016-2020


Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop self-help skills by learning to raise and preserve their own foods.

Indicator: An increase in the number of youth able to prepare and preserve foods

Method: pre/post evaluations, personal testimonies, pictures, county and state fair entries

Timeline: May, June & July 2016-2020





Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Food Preservation Workshops

Content or Curriculum: UK FCS

Inputs: Farmer's Market participant; Lawrence County Health Dept; NEP audiences

Date: Summer 2017-2020


Audience: Limited Resource Audiences

Project or Activity: Raised-bed/Container Gardening and Food Preparation Skills

Content or Curriculum: UK FCS and NEP curriculum

Inputs: UK FCS, NEP and ANR Lawrence County Health Action Team/Diabetes Coalition, Local Food Pantry, Housing Authority

Date: 2018-2019


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Gardening in Small Spaces

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension ANR

Inputs: Extension ANR and FCS

Date: 2018-2020


Audience: Farmer's Market

Project or Activity: Lawrence County Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications and Resources

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists and Faculty

Date: July-October 2016-2020


Audience: Individual/Families

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program/Gardeners Toolbox Series

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Publications

Inputs: UK Extension Resources, Specialists, and Agents

Date 2016-2020


Audience: Children/Youth

Project or Activity: Kids Veggie Bucks Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension and NEP

Inputs: UK Extension FCS & ANR and UK NEP; Lawrence County Health Dept; Health Action Team/Community Health Grant

Date: Summer 2018


Audience: Lawrence County Teens

Program/Activity: Raised Bed Gardening and Food Prep & Preservation Skills

Content/Curriculum: 4-H

Inputs: 4-H Volunteers, Extension Agents and Program Assistants

Date: Summer 2017-2020


Audience: Lawrence County Youth

Program/Activity: Super Star Chef

Content/Curriculum: 4-H/FCS

Inputs: 4-H Volunteers, Extension Agents and Specialists 

Date: July 2018



Success Stories

Backyard Fruit Series

Author: Laura Maggard

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Backyard Fruit Series

Eastern Kentucky has the highest food insecurity in the United States.  In Lawrence County, 2,750 individuals (17.3% of county population) are not sure where their next meal will come from. There is a steady increase in interest from clientele wanting to know how they can become more self-sufficient by growing their own food. Agriculture and horticulture agents in Eastern Kentucky have observed an increase in requests from small backyard fruit growers for guidance. In order to reach a large

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