Franklin County CES

Title:

Increase best practices for urban agriculture, natural resources & local food systems

MAP:

Enhancing Urban Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Municipal Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

A Leonberger, K. Perry, T Thomas, K Bishop, Edwin Chavous, Trevor Caiborn

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health

Situation:

As urban development continues, degradation of farmland, waterways, and forest lands has exacerbated the already limited access to public green spaces and to locally produced, fresh foods.

The lack of green space or appropriately managed plant species in the urban environment is critical to a healthy environment. Outdoor places to play and learn for kids are critical to good physical and mental health. Research published in the American Journal of Public Health, found that exposure to quality trees, vegetation, nature, or green space in urban areas has been connected with multiple public health benefits, including reduced mortality, morbidity, stress, and mental fatigue. Multiple studies have correlated an increase in the number and quality of urban trees with a decrease in crimes such as property crimes, vandalism, gun assault, theft, robbery, burglary, and narcotics possession.

The quality of public urban forests and community health are impacted by storm water runoff. This problem is further impacted by the degradation of existing farmland and natural areas, which increases the amount of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution that currently accounts for two-thirds of the water quality impairments in Kentucky’s streams, lakes, and rivers. Furthermore, poor water quality impacts public use in local and urban areas which impacts community health and fitness.

Access to locally produced food, affects consumption of healthy food options and overall individual health. According to a 2014 Kentucky Association of Food Banks survey, 91 percent of food bank recipients had to purchase inexpensive, unhealthy food to feed their families. This demonstrates that these families either were unaware of where to purchase local healthy food, or they were unavailable for purchase. In addition, there is an increase of requests from urban dwellers for implementing community gardens, urban livestock, and other modern agriculture, horticulture & natural resource practices.

With an increase in the quality and productivity of new and existing urban spaces, Franklin County can decrease pollution and crime, while increasing public health and safety. In addition, by strengthening Franklin County’s local food systems, everyone will have access to a healthier diet while benefitting the local economy and communities.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Fragile and threatened lands and waters are protected and improved

•Decrease in crimes related to increased quality and quantity of urban forests and greenspaces

•Population will experience increased outdoor activity rates and decreased incidence of obesity, morbidity, stress, and mental fatigue

•More well-managed urban green space and less degradation of land and waterways

•Lower rates of NPS pollution, higher water quality in Franklin County waters

•Franklin County population will experience lower rates of obesity and heart disease due to choosing to eat a healthier diet

•Children grow to understand and appreciate agriculture and natural systems and strive to make better choices for their health and environment

•Urban farming is accepted and a significant contribution to the local economy

•More local retail, community, and institutional outlets sell and serve locally produced items

•Local producers seek out and utilize new marketing opportunities

•Producers and retail food outlets see an increased customer base and income due to demand for local food

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Citizens request and utilize green space in urban and suburban areas

•Increased number walk/bike trails and usage is increased

•More policies are implemented to saving, improving, and managing green space in established new developments

•Urban greenspaces are designed and installed to intercept stormwater runoff

•County residents are implementing fertilizer applications to minimize runoff and leaching

•Responsible riverfront and storm water management planning, development, and use increases

•Residents apply improved food preparations skills and healthy eating habits

•More county households, schools, churches and institutions plant, harvest, and preserve produce

•Schools have gardens, outdoor learning centers, and programs that incorporate all facets of modern agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources

•Producers adopting new practices to increase profits

•Local population has an increased access to and aware of local food options

•Eligible recipients increase redemption of farmer’s market nutrition programs

Initial Outcomes:

•County Population understands the importance of urban agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, and local food systems to their health, financial well-being, community, and environment

•People are aware of and more accepting of environmentally, socially, economically sustainable policies

•Residents understand and request green spaces for safe and enjoyable outdoor activity

•Residents and community leaders are aware of the public health and safety benefits of well-managed greenspaces

•Residents are aware of what NPS pollution is and the impact it has on the environment

•Community leaders recognize the importance of utilizing greenspace to manage stormwater, minimize NPS pollution, and create responsible riverfront areas

•People learn to grow, prepare, and preserve food

•Citizens are aware of options for urban farming and request more information

•People learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eating into a healthy diet

•People and institutions increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety, food access to increase food security

•The community becomes aware of food policy councils and begins to think of food policy

Evaluation:

Outcome(st): Learn where food comes from, how to choose more local/regional foods

Indicator: People and institutions ask for and choose local food and food sources

Method: Survey

Timeline: April-October

Outcome(st): Learn the benefits of urban agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources

Indicator: People and institutions ask for and plan for more urban farms, forests, and green spaces

Method: Survey

Timeline: Annual

Outcome(I): Access more local foods

Indicator: Of the total number of households. Caregivers reached with information on accessing healthy local foods, the number of participants that self-report eating more healthy local foods

Method: Plate it up Kentucky featured program questions

Timeline: October – September

Outcome(I): Increased quantity and quality of urban forests and greenspaces

Indicator: increase in total acreage of urban forests and greenspaces, decrease in number of urban tree removals

Method: Survey, Public Records

Timeline: Annually

Outcome(LT): Urban farming practices are being used

Indicator: Increase in community & school gardens; other agriculture practices are being done in urban settings

Method: Survey

Timeline: Biennially

Outcome: (LT): Franklin County communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational food ways

Indicator: Number of people who are involved in addressing local/regional food issues and food security issues

Method: Number of local policy changes or partnerships as a result of Extension programs

Timeline: August-December

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community Leaders, Food-way System Leaders

Activity: Community Food Council

Content or Curriculum: Convene existing advisory groups and other key stakeholders to discuss and set priorities for developing a stronger local food system. Identify potential policies to decrease hunger and increase food access.

Date: August-September, first meeting – then quarterly or as needed

Audience: Teachers, Educators, Parents, Youth

Activity: Farm to School support

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Farm to School Task Force resources (3Cs: Cafeteria, Classroom, Community), Farm to School Curriculum, Super Star Chef goes to Farmers Market

Date: September-May

Audience: Farmers market customers; EBT/WIC/Senior/LEP Farmers Market Nutrition Participants

Activity: Farmers’ Market Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: Cooking Programs, Tastings, Displays, Incentives

Date: April - November

Audience: Program Newsletters; Newspaper articles; Farmers market customers/vendors

Activity: Plate It Up Kentucky Proud

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up Resources

Date: July - June

Audience: Farmers Market Vendors; Farm Producers

Activity: Growing Local Food Entrepreneurs

Content or Curriculum: Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Home-based processing; Market Ready; Restaurant Rewards program; Ky Proud Program

Date: offer opportunities quarterly

Audience: Local restaurants, grocers, caterers, retail food outlets; City/County Tourism; Chamber of Commerce

Activity: Market Ready/Ky Proud Restaurant Program

Content or Curriculum: Using UK Market Ready & Ky Proud resources, bring together producers, restaurants, grocers to partner in supplying items for consumers

Date: November- intro, January, February-solidify contracts

Audience: Youth

Activity: Super Star Chef Curriculum/Program, Cooking Club, 4-H Project Days, County Fair, School Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef, County Fair Recipes taught at Project Days, Snap Ed, EFNEP recipes

Date: All Year

Audience: local beef producers

Activity: Master Marketing

Content or Curriculum: Beef marketing options workshops

Date: Annual as needed

Audience: Community

Activity: Governor's Downtown derby Celebration

Content or Curriculum: Beef, Pork & local food education

Date: Derby day

Audience: Farmers, Businesspeople, Community, Chamber of Commerce

Project or Activity: Farm/City Banquet

Content or Curriculum: Urban Farming Award

Inputs: Chamber of Commerce; Community Organizations; CommonWealth Garden Network; local media

Date: April annually

Audience: Community

Project or Activity: Franklin County Fair

Content or Curriculum: Classes, newspaper and newsletter articles about Fair and how to exhibit; classes to assist with production of appropriate items to enter, 4-H Projects exhibited in the fair (Cloverville and Floral Hall)

Inputs: Fair Board; Extension Agents; Homemaker leaders; Master Gardeners; Garden Club educators

Date: May – July annually

Audience: Local Cattlemen

Project or Activity: Cattlemen's Educational Tour

Content or Curriculum: National travel to other ranches, farms, Univeristy reseach units, factories, technologies, etc

Inputs: local cattle producers, national extension agents, farmers, ranchers, community leaders

Date: Annual

Audience: Woodland owners

Project or Activity: Woodland owners short course

Content or Curriculum: Woodland management

Inputs: UK Forestry, KDF, private consultants, loggers

Date: Annual as needed

Audience: UK students, UK farm workers

Project or Activity: UK Lanscaping Dry Stone Class

Content or Curriculum: History & building with dry stone

Inputs:

Date: Fall

Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: BQA Certafication

Content or Curriculum: BQA program

Inputs: KCA, KBN, UK ruminant Vet

Date: Spring

Audience: Limited resource & underserved farmers & land owners

Project or Activity: KSU/UK Limited resource farmer Update

Content or Curriculum: Current topics of interest

Inputs: KSU, FSA, NRCS, Health Dept

Date: Fall

Audience: Community

Project or Activity: Beginner Beekeeper Series

Content or Curriculum: Basics of beekeeping as provided by State Apiarist, Extension Apiary Specialist, and local beekeepers association

Inputs: KSU, KDA, Capital City Beekeepers Assoc.

Date: Fall

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Summer & Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: Project WET, Project Learning Tree

Inputs: CES Agents, Camp Staff, Volunteers,

Date: September - August

Success Stories