Developing Local Food SystemsPlan of Work

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McLean County CES

Title:
Developing Local Food Systems
MAP:
Accessing Nutritious Foods
Agents Involved:
Amanda Dame, David Fourqurean
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Situation:

This issue was identified as a high priority in McLean County by all program areas, councils and county extension council. With only three local grocery stores in McLean County many residents lack the availability of purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, in McLean County 47.3% of residents are working full time, however still lives below the poverty (American Community Survey). As the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables increase it will become difficult to purchase healthier foods. Extension programs focusing on accessing nutritious foods will help McLean County residents gain access to food and stretch food dollars; communities to decrease hunger; and local food assistance programs to educate recipients on healthy and safe food preparation methods. Agents, paraprofessionals and volunteers are pivotal in training consumers and producers to maximize production or and access to food products from farm to table.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase number of McLean County resident’s accurately growing and purchasing locally grown food. 


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


Youth will be food secure when school is not in session.

Intermediate Outcomes:

McLean Countians improve food management skills and healthy eating habits.


Apply skills of food resource management, food safety, and food preparation to afford healthy, nutritious food choices.


2% of participants will practice healthy eating choices.


Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food.


Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to Ag and food systems.


Individuals will plan their gardening spaces and properly prepare the sites.  


Access more local foods


Plant, harvest, and preserve produce.


Apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.


Increase access to fruits and vegetables. 

Initial Outcomes:

McLean County residents will become more aware of benefits of producing and purchasing local foods.



Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of foods.


Youth will gain and understanding of health and sustainable food systems.


Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to individual health and financial well-being.


Learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.


Learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten into a healthy diet.


New mothers and those who support them increase knowledge about the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding.


Increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.

Evaluation:

Outcomes: Initial

Indicator: Increase in number of local venders, increase in the variety of foods and sales at the farmers market.

Method: Evaluations, group discussions, observation.

Timeline: 6 months to 1 year


Outcome: Initial 

Indicator: Participations increased knowledge in growing, preparing, and preserving food.

Method: Evaluations, group discussions, observation. 

Timeline: 6 months to 1 year


Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Participants increased knowledge on ways to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten in their diet. 

Method: Evaluations, group discussions, observation. 

Timeline: 6 months to 1 year


Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Participants increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety, and food resource management. 

Method: Evaluations, group discussions, observation. 

Timeline: 6 months to 1 year

 

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Increase in numbers of program participants reporting increased awareness of developing local food systems. 

Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Verbal Discussion and Focus Groups

Timeline: 6 months to 1 year


Intermediate Outcome: Individuals demonstrate gardening skills learned from Extension Programs.

Indicator: Increase in number of individuals demonstrating gardening skills.

Method: Pre/Post Evaulation, Visual Evaulation, Self-Reporting, On-site Visits

Timeline: 1 to 2 years


Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Individuals will practice healthy eating choices. 

Methods: Pre/post evaluations, self-reporting, observation, testimonials  

Timeline: 1 to 2 years


Intermediate Outcome: Individuals apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety, and healthy eating.

Indicator:  Increase in number of McLean County citizens improving food prep skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating. 

Method: Self-reporting, Survey and certification and re-certification of Homebased Microprocessing. 

Timeline: 1 to 2 years


Long Term Outcome: Increase fruit & vegetable consumption.

Indicator: McLean County citizens will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day. 

Method: Survey, personal interview

Timeline: 3- 4 years


Long Term Outcome:

Indicator: An increase of farmers market vendors and market customer. Also, an increase in amount of sales at farmer’s marker, road side stands, markets, number of local stores and restaurants goods produced by local producers. 

Method: Observation, Written Survey

Timeline:2-4 Years 


Long Term Outcomes:

Indicator: An increase in the number of individuals who improve food management skills and healthy eating habits. 

Methods: observation, written survey, personal interviews, county statistics.

Time: 2-4 years 

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: McLean County residents

Project or Activity: Plate it Up, Kentucky Proud

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up recipes, 

Inputs: All McLean County Extension Agent, volunteers, and farmers market vendors.

Date: May- August 2018


Audience: Preschool/ Head start 

Project or Activity: LEAP

Content or Curriculum: LEAP Curriculum 

Inputs: CES publications, community volunteers, NEP, Family Resource 

Center, Community Education 

Date: September through April 2018


Audience: Limited Income Families 

Project or Activity: Turkey Tasting 

Content or Curriculum: USDA, NEP, UK publications, eXtension 

Inputs: UK publications, Community Partners, Schools, Migrant Education 

Date: November 2019


Audience: Home Owners, Gardeners, Farmers Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Horticulture-related Extension Programming

Content or Curriculum: Home Fruit/Vegetable Production, Commercial Fruit/Vegetable Production, Starting Your Own Transplants, IPM, 

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Publications, KDA, On-Farm Trials/Research

Date: Ongoing 







Success Stories

Farm to Fork: Educating consumers about locally grown food

Author: John Fourqurean

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The McLean County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a Farm to Fork Dinner to recognize and promote the importance of locally grown food. Farm to Fork is a food system in which food production, processing, distribution, and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place. The Cooperative Extension Service worked alongside of the local Farmers Market and other vendors as well as other volunteers to raise money for a local ch

Full Story

Farm to Fork Dinner

Author: Amanda Dame

Major Program: Local Food System Development and Mapping

The McLean County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent and McLean County Farmers' Market Vendors hosted a Farm to Fork Dinner to recognize and promote the importance of locally grown food. Farm to Fork is a food system in which food production, processing, distribution, and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place. The Cooperative Extension Service worked alongside of the loca

Full Story
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