Floyd County CES

Title:

Growing Our Local Food System

MAP:

Local Food System

Agents Involved:

Hackworth, Johnson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Local Food System Development and Mapping

Situation:

One in five adults have difficulty getting affordable fresh fruits and vegetables where they live. In Eastern Kentucky, it can be even more so. The county can benefit from a stronger local food systems. Consumer and producer interest in rebuilding community food systems is significant at this time. Extension can and has been playing a pivotal role in helping food producers, entrepreneurs, buyers, and consumers work toward more vibrant rural communities with strong local food systems. Stronger local food systems can help everyone eat a healthier diet while benefiting local producers, the local economy and communities.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Citizens will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day
*Residents improve food management skills and improve healthy eating habits
*Producers will increase fruit and vegetable production and sell more locally
*Local produce will be marketed to local venues

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Residents will have better access to more locally produce
*Eligible residents will increase redemption of nutrition program benefits at local markets
*Residents planting, harvesting and preserving produce will increase
*Residents will learn food preparations skills, food management skills, food safety, and healthy eating habits
*People accessing emergency food sources will be able to have more locally grown products

Initial Outcomes:

*Residents will understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being
*Residents will learn to grow, prepare, and preserve food
*Residents will learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten into a healthy diet
*Residents will increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety, and food resource management
*Residents will learn about community support services to increase food security
*Producers will increase knowledge of more efficient production practices

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals will have access more local foods
Indicator: Number who reported utilizing delivery systems/access points that offer healthy foods
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys - Farmer's Market participation, WIC voucher redemption, God's Food Pantry Involvement
Timeline: Spring & Summer

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Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will learn to grow, prepare and preserve food
Indicator: Number of individuals who report supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they produced/preserved
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Spring & Summer

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Long-Term Outcome: Community health and economy are improved through local organizational leadership
Indicator: Number of people who are involved in addressing significant community issues
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Year-round

Long-Term Outcomes: Individuals will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings daily
Indicator: Number individuals who reported eating more healthy foods
Indicator: Number of youth who reported eating more healthy foods
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Year-round

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Horticultural Producers
Project or Activity: Fruit & Gardening Programs
Content or Curriculum: beginning gardening, variety selection, pest control, fruit pruning and grafting, small area production, processing and preservation, marketing
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round

Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: County ANR newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Addresses various issues at critical time
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Monthly

Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Other agricultural production programs
Content or Curriculum: Various agricultural related issues, special events
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: As needed

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Success Stories