Growing Our Local Food SystemPlan of Work

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Floyd County CES

Title:
Growing Our Local Food System
MAP:
Local Food System
Agents Involved:
Hackworth, Slone
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


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


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


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Horticultural Producers and Master Gardeners

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


Audience: General Clientele

Project or Activity: Public display, media promotion, FCS Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! KY Proud

Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists

Date: Year round


Audience: General Clientele

Project or Activity: Food Safety

Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation

Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations

Date: Summer


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Youth engagement in food and vegetable access

Content or Curriculum: Youth Fruit and Vegetable Access- Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary

Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations

Date: As needed



Success Stories

Grow Appalachia Gardening Series

Author: Keith Hackworth

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups over the years. One such group is the Saint Vincent’s Mission Grow Appalachian Program. The program works with lower income and beginning gardeners by assisting them in the production of fruits and vegetables to feed their family. Participants are encouraged their second year of the program to market some of their excess produce and products at various venues, the farmers market being one. &n

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