Lyon County CES

Title:

Local Food Systems

MAP:

Local Food Systems

Agents Involved:

Susan Fox

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Local Food Systems

Situation:

A current trend is for people to buy locally grown produce. Production and marketing of fruits and vegetables can be challenging. Extension has a wealth of information, excellent publications, and can assist commercial producers achieve their goals. The NRCS High Tunnel program continues to be of interest locally. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers develop sustainable, profitable businesses, offering high-quality produce and value added commodities for the public, while meeting food safety requirements. Increased sales and profitability, reduced expenses and risk, expanded access to local food. Increased variety of local foods. Minimized environmental impact.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers obtain proper certifications for operating a produce business and implement food safety practices. New producers selling locally.

Initial Outcomes:

Growers learn practices and methods of production, season extension, pest management, record keeping, pricing and management. Producers certifying market scales when used.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Production webinar or meeting. 

Indicator: Number of participants, responses to survey

Method: Survey

Timeline: Winter 

Intermediate Outcome:  Scales certified, sampling or processing certifications.

Indicator: Participation in scale checks, sampling or processing trainings.

Method: Meetings and scheduled scale certification day.

Timeline: Winter meeting, spring scale certification and market meeting.

Long-term Outcome: Increased availability of local produce, increased income.

Indicator: Farmers' market participation and farm sales.

Method: Grower survey, market observations.

Timeline: Winter through Fall

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Fruit & Vegetable Producers

Project or Activity: Production Meeting or Webinar, Individual Assistances

Content or Curriculum: Varieties, diseases, insects, fertility

Inputs: UK specialists, publications, Plant and Insect Lab Diagnosis

Date: Winter

Audience: Fruit & Vegetable Vendors

Project or Activity: Spring Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Safety protocols, sampling and processing certifications

Inputs: KDA and UK materials and guidelines, tests for certification.

Date: March

Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Vendors

Project or Activity: Scale Certification

Content or Curriculum: KDA Weights and Measures

Inputs: KDA personnel, vendor scales

Date: Spring