2006 Sustainable Community Innovation Projects

(Projects 040-046 funded in collaboration with the Southern Rural Development Center)

Projects 047-051 funded in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission)

Back to Why We Picked Them

CS06-040Building Local Food & Local Communities in Western Oklahoma

In this project, Ogallala Commons and its partners will collaborate to recruit and train community development teams from three Western Oklahoma counties: Woods, Major, and Roger Mills. In addition, the project will identify aspiring entrepreneurs interested in local and regional food production. Both community development teams and entrepreneurs will be trained through the HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) framework and Ogallala Commons Commonwealth Communities model as sustainable development tools. The HTC framework has achieve remarkable success in small rural communities of Nebraska (visit: www.htcnebraska.org for more information), particularly in the area of entrepreneurship and small business incubation. In addition, Ogallala Commons, as a multi-state community resource network (www.ogallalacommons.org), has coordinated the creation of several Regional Clusters to assist communities interested in implementing the HTC framework in five Great Plains states. Most importantly, Ogallala Commons will serve as a catalyst for building partnerships within and between communities that participate in this project, linking existing resources and agencies with innovators and new partners. In this Regional Cluster of western Oklahoma communities, Ogallala Commons and its partners will provide technical support, training, and mentoring for communities to develop capacities in community asset mapping, entrepreneurship, building local leadership, and youth engagement & retention of young adults. For their part, Oklahoma Food Cooperative and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture will offer both food production training and marketing options for entrepreneurs seeking more sustainable agricultural enterprises.

It is the firm belief of the partners in this project that the burgeoning field of direct marketing and community food security in central and eastern Oklahoma (see Closer to Home: Healthier Food, Farms & Families in Oklahoma) can be melded with the needs of more isolated communities in western Oklahoma to re-energize sustainable community development through investment in leadership training, sustainable land management training, small business incubation, and youth entrepreneurship.

Kim Barker

Ogallala Commons

35878 Cimarron Road

Waynoka , OK 73860

Ph: 580-732-0244 Fax: None

Why did we pick it?

• This is a well devleoped project that does a good job of meeting the CFP. a good mix of community development and sustainable agriculture focusing on entrepreneurial enhancement through the use of an established methodology.

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CS06-041Linking native agriculture community with tribal institutional economic opportunities

The project will bring together the heads of Native American business and institutional settings, including hospitals, nursing facilities, schools, businesses and casinos for two meetings in 2007 for the purpose of laying the groundwork for linking Native agricultural producers and Native American business and institutional food purchasers. The two meetings will be conducted in western Oklahoma and in eastern Oklahoma respectively; will bring together intertribal agricultural producers from each of the 38 Tribes in Oklahoma with leaders of Native American businesses and institutions. The meetings will be two day meetings and will have four components: discussion of food security needs; discussion of links between businesses and producers; potential for positive economic impact at both ends of the spectrum; and the conduct of a survey identifying the specific food items for which a market either currently exists or can be created in the reasonable near future

Paul Killsfirst

Native American Indian Farming & Ranching Cooperative

125 W. Main

Anadarko. OK 73005

Ph: 479-409-9125 Fax: None

Why did we pick it?

• Good idea trying to link regional producers to regional consumers to enahnce regional community development
• Broad-based community suppport
• Discussion of methods for carrying out the project is good

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CS06-042Sustainable Farming: wedding regional agriculture and community development in Coastal Georgia

This project will utilize results gleaned from a food system survey that will be developed and distributed by McIntosh SEED and its partners. This project will then engage public participation to assess the local food system, its inequities, constraints and assets. It will foster community dialogue on needs assessment and conduct a search conference that reflects a multi-stakeholder perspective and strategic action plans around various facets of that food system. One of the expected outputs is the expansion of local sustainable farming practices for five counties in coastal Georgia (McIntosh, Camden, Glynn, Long, and Liberty). This Food System Plan will be reviewed by all local government officials and an Advisory Council will be formed to implement the Food System Plan and increase public awareness and knowledge of the benefits of sustainable farming on the farmer, consumer, community, and environment.

The project will build capacity through its partnerships with multiple local governments, state government, federal government, non-profit and community agencies and organizations. It will promote entrepreneurial opportunities that will benefit the agricultural sector as well as the community while having the potential to influence local government policy through ordinance development. By its very nature, the project will promote a long-term strategy that will be more productive and profitable to local farmers while integrating natural resource protection, cultural preservation and civic engagement.

John Littles

McIntosh Sustainable Environment & Economic Dev.

PO Box 2355

Darien , GA 31305

Ph: 912-437-7821 Fax: None

Why did we pick it?

• Linkages are very explicitly stated.
• The PI understands sustainable agricultural practices, resource stewardship and sustainable community development.
• The project will increase knowledge about sustainable food systems and economic opportunities associated with it.
• Civic engagement is a major component of the project. Participants include farmers, residents, local government officials, NGOs and other community members.

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CS06-043Building sustainable communities through agricultural and food-based entrepreneurship

A project designed to spur entrepreneurial development in the value-added agricultural sectors of a four-county rural area in Southside Virginia. The target region is one undergoing significant change both because of the national decrease in farm portion of consumer spending and because of a local transition away from tobacco farming to new crops and value-added products. The project will provide skills training and build an ongoing network of entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs that will contribute to the building of sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities in the target region. Project activities include a series of 13 workshops, a food-tasting event, a mentorship program, and the launching of a network of producers/entrepreneurs to explore ongoing sustainability initiatives.

Elizabeth Nilsen

Institute for Advanced Learning & Research

150 Slayton Avenue

Danville , VA 24540

Ph: 434-766-6700 Fax: 434-791-3279

Em: liz.nilsen@ialr.org

• Will engage farmers
• Reasonable budget for the goals and timeline
• Practical community development/entrepreneurship component

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CS06-044Florida Farm Link - building the foundation of a sustainable community food system by connecting sustainable agriculture to economic development initiatives

The purpose of Florida FarmLink is to connect entrepreneurs in rural areas to resources so they can meet current demand for local, sustainably-grown food in nearby population centers. The complimentary purpose in creating Florida FarmLink is to educate community leaders and citizens on the importance of the sustainable agriculture sector with this message: entrepreneurial sustainable agriculture that is the heart and soul of a healthy economy in a sustainable community and you can participate in a variety of ways in this network.

Although many communities try to promote sustainable communities and sustainable economies, agricultural is often neglected in their efforts. To address this divide, the RC&D is promoting the Florida FarmLink project as an entrepreneurial approach to sustainability under the innovative model of economic development called "Natural Capitalism." Since fundamentally, natural capitalism is the same model used in sustainable agriculture practices, it provides a perfect opportunity to link the sustainability movement to the earth by demonstrating it through sustainable agriculture economic development.

The overall objective of Florida FarmLink is to build a stronger foundation of suppliers of local, sustainably grown food. The opportunity is to actively demonstrate the integration of the agricultural economy into sustainable community development and rural community stability in a participatory way. To do this, the RC&D is building the Florida FarmLink web-based matching service and forum, which will meet needs identified by growers and beginner farmers in the small farms conference and local Agriculture Policy Councils, as well as integrating the service with various sustainability efforts in the four-county area.

John O'Connor ( c/o Laura Morton)

Florida West Coast RC&D Council

945 25 th Drive East, Suite 11

Ellenton , FL 34222

Ph: 941-723-3252 Fax: 941-723-7519

Why did we pick it?

• Good clear objectives
• Web-based outreach

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CS06-045Establishing community and business partnerships to build a market identify for local seafood

An informal survey conducted at the 2005 North Carolina Seafood Festival indicated that a majority of respondents would purchase local seafood over imports if given a choice. Thus local citizens organized to help Carteret County's fishing industry to adapt to a global market. With funding from the Ford Foundation and the Southern Rural Development Center, community volunteers established a program to create a market identity for locally harvested seafood.

The Carteret Catch mission is to sustain the livelihood and heritage of the Carteret County commercial fishing industry through education and promotion. A joint venture between the county's seafood industry and its customers will promote seasonal seafood caught by local fishermen.

The Carteret Catch brand is the public's assurance they are getting seafood direct from the fishermen of Carteret County. The objective of this project is to enhance public recognition of the Carteret Catch logo to build a strong market identity for local seafood products. This proposal seeks funding to generate promotional materials for the program's business partners and advertisements in local media to build greater consumer awareness of Carteret Catch.

Jennifer Ulz

Carteret Community College

3505 Arendell Street

Morehead City , NC 28570

Ph: 252-222-6190 Fax: 252-222-6274

Why did we pick it?

• Partnerships are evident including universities, federal, state and localgovernment, private organizations and citizens. Whild there does not appear to have a direct link to community development professionals, the diversity of teh organizations participating will more than compensate.
• The wide variety of participating organizations is a plus for the project. It is evident that there is widespread support for the project objectivs. The individuals involved in the project seem well qualified for their individual roles.
• The methods are well developed and show considerable thought in their development.
• All budget funds go toward project activities and not wages and salaries.
• Promoting local products w/ these methods (labels/brochures) have been known to be effective

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CS06-046Training for Sustainable Community Development: Phase II

The proposed project is centered on sustainable development activities for a set of Southern Black agricultural communities that were created during the Great Depression, initially under the direction of the Resettlement Administration and subsequently under the Farm Security Administration. These and related agencies provided an opportunity for landless sharecroppers and tenants to own land. This opportunity allowed the "settlers" to become small independent farmers (a Jeffersonian ideal) and form independent agricultural communities (a Booker T. Washington ideal). Thirteen such all-Black communities were established, about half of which remain as viable communities--although they are "at risk." The others have faded, although both archival records and original residents remain to tell their story.

Using six of these communities (Tillery, NC; Prairie Farms, AL, Mileston, MS; Flint River Farms; GA; Allendale Farms, SC; and Aberdeen Gardens, VA) a sustainable economic development strategy and training meeting will be convened at the host Resettlement Community of Aberdeen Gardens in Hampton, VA. Community participation will ensure that this training will lead to site-specific community development plans and activities.

Results of the training will be based on the activities initiated by the participating communities. Planned activities include submission of grant applications, community meetings, organizing and community-based activities. In addition, results may be presented at professional meetings and symposia and published in local media and professional journals.

The principal cooperators are selected representatives of the participating communities and the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station at Tuskegee University. The proposed project will take approximately one year.

Robert Zabawa

Tuskegee University

G.W. Carver Agricultural Experiment Station

100 Campbell Hall

Tuskegee , AL 36088

Ph: 334-727-8114 Fax: 334-724-4451

Why did we pick it?  

• Strong education component
• Multi-state activities

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CS06-047 Value-added Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, $40,000

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is a not-for-profit organization promoting an ecologically sustainable, value adding economy in a 12 county region of Appalachian Virginia and Tennessee. Based in Abingdon, Virginia, ASD uses a "field to table" strategy to build economic opportunities for farmers, forest landowners and other entrepreneurs, which also conserve and restore ecological assets.

In 2001, ASD launched Appalachian Harvest to enable tobacco farmers and other "conventional" growers to successfully transition to organic produce and other sustainable farm products, including pasture-based meats and eggs. Since that time, Appalachian Harvest has grown steadily and now includes:

. A network of 37 certified organic produce farmers, 80% of whom are former tobacco or conventional growers.
. An extensive education, training and support system for these growers, led by ASD staff with help from Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech and Virginia State, and Virginia and Tennessee departments of agriculture.
. Farmer-mentors trained and supported by ASD, who assist new growers with hands-on problem solving.
. A 7,000 square foot Packing and Grading Facility in Stickleyville, Virginia (20 minutes from Kingsport, TN) where all of the produce is graded, washed, labeled, packed and loaded on one of three trucks; and
. A committed core of six small to medium sized supermarket chains, representing nearly 500 stores in a six state area, who have been purchasing Appalachian Harvest produce for the past one to five years.

Sales of Appalachian Harvest in 2006 will total approximately $375,000. The current stated demand from our buyers exceeds one million dollars and is steadily growing.

This project will strengthen, expand and diversify our Appalachian Harvest system, creating more ecologically-based economic opportunities in high value agricultural products, including organic produce, free range eggs and fresh salsas. Specific objectives for this project include:

1. Expand the Appalachian Harvest growers network to 70-75 farmers by 2008, and provide the research, education and technical support they need to become economically viable.
2. Expand economic opportunities for organic produce and free range egg producers, by diversifying and increasing the market for their products. Sales are projected at $550,000 in 2007 and $750,000 in 2008 through the Appalachian Harvest network.
3. Strengthen ancillary businesses, such as organic greenhouse production, and assist 2-3 new businesses to start each year.
4. Solidify current market partnerships, increases sales, and improve both the consistency of supply and the placement of Appalachian Harvest products in these stores.
5. Expand and develop markets for salsa and other products, in partnership with an existing salsa producer, in order to utilize produce "seconds", thereby improving farmer income.

Kathlyn Chupik

Appalachian Sustainable Development

PO Box 791

Abingdon , VA 24212

Ph: 276-623-1121 Fax: None

Em: asd@eva.org

Why we picked it

• strongest proposal yet in terms of linking growers to retail customers through entire supply chain
• staff has been successfully growing these farm to market programs for several years, and have been nationally recognized for it
• the best opportunity to directly create measurable income for a wide array of producers in several counties, using tested processes and relationships

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CS06-048 Schools + Potatoes Upper East Tennessee Development System (SPUDS), $39,762

This project will develop markets in four local schools systems for a value-added potato wedge product made from potatoes grown by local farmers near these school systems. Based on estimates obtained by project staff from school systems in Sullivan County, Kingsport City, Johnson City and (in the second year), Knox County, farmers from Hancock and Hawkins Counties will plant potatoes for sale to the schools. At harvest, they will process them into potato wedges, freeze them and fill them in plastic 3-lb bags at the Clinch Powell Community Kitchens of Jubilee Project with help from project staff. A Cooperator from Extension staff will provide technical assistance with grower, and a local farmer Cooperator will provide access at cost to a refrigerated truck for cooperative delivery among participating farmers to school buyers. At least 7 farmers will participate the first year, and 15 in the second, creating at least 4 FTE jobs in year one and 12 in year two of the project. A Field Day will be held in February of each project year to provide information to farmers, buyers, and local officials about the project including how to get involved. An Outreach Packet with facts about the project will be distributed to these and other interested people.

Steve Hodges

Jubilee Project

PO Box 657

Sneedville , TN 37869

Ph: 423-733-4195 Fax: None

Em: steveh@overhome.net

Why we picked it

• Finite, but well described benefit from one product. Project success is enhanced by existing infrastructure in which producers have limited sales to the schools. This project proposes to take one product, a locally produced-value added potato, and establish regular deliveries and usage throughout the school year
• Partnerships between producers (potato growers), community kitchen and schools are well outlined
• Farmer training, increased communication between producers, project director in the community kitchen and schools buying product are projected and included in the time line. Economic, community development and projected increase in jobs are documented.

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CS06-049 Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Project , $40,000

Johnson County Tennessee has been on the ARC list of most distressed communities for years. Johnson County is also designated as a USDA Champion Community. Johnson County Champion Community Board will be acting as the fiscal agent for this project

Appalachian Native Plants Inc (ANP) is a non-profit corporation that has entered into collaboration with, Johnson County TN, Appalachian State University, University of Tennessee and the local school system, with the intent of starting a regional horticultural "Native Plant" - "Organic Vegetable/Fruit" Initiative. The Johnson County government has granted ANP a twenty two year lease on the thirty nine acre landfill site which has been "capped" and closed for nine years. On this site ANP hopes to demonstrate the commercial viability of producing native plants and organic vegetable crops in passive solar growing structures. Appalachian State University would conduct the energy studies on these structures. University of Tennessee will help develop a WEB based marketing plan for the crops produced by the project. There are plans for both display and trial gardens to demonstrate the use and suitability of the chosen crops. A commercial size passive solar greenhouse and adjoining classroom will be the Nexus of the project.

Sustainable Agricultural production is labor intensive. ANP expects to hire 4 full time employees within two years. Many other jobs will be created in nursery, food growing and landscaping trades in the county and region.

John Jackson

Appalachian Native Plants, Inc.

843 Wallace Road

Trade , TN 37691

Ph: 423-727-6574 Fax: None

Em: tennrose @ xtn.net

Why We Picked it

• Making use of something (landfill) previously deemed a liability toi a community. Developing an environment to grow native plants using low-cost energy technologies will benefit the community.
• Good partnersips are evident. I like the fact that the grantee has involved TVA in development of the greenhouse energy aspect.
• This grantee seems to have chosen partners well qualified to provide support in both agriculture and energy.
• Investigators have knowledge and experience in the production of native plants. Partners will provide support for technical aspects of greenhouse construction and energy generation. Have support for the marketing and business aspects of the project which should ensure its success.
• Demonstration of passive solar and possible generation of energy from methane will not only help sustain the facility but is a plus and can certainly encourage others to do likewise.
• Excellent discussion about how the old landfill site can be made productive through the construction of a passive solar greenhouse to produce native plants and organic vegetables. New jobs will be created in the community both at the site and elsewhere. Appears to be good community support for this effort as demonstrated by the leasing of the land.

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CS06-050 Getting your small farm products to market / a three county program to solve product logistics: marketing/sales, product development, packages and labeling, transportation, $40,000

David Kendall

NC Cooperative Extension

258 Carolina Lane

Marshall , NC 28753

Ph: 828-649-2411

Em: David_Kendall@ncsu.edu

Why We picked it

• Linkages are documented and include extension, two producer groups and a local natural foods supermarket
• Project definitely enhances the capacity of producers to get fresh and value-added products to market
• Objectives and time table are very appropriate. Including specific goals for number of new products developed, number of producers involved and value of increased products would help set bench marks to determine success for time table.
• Capacity building by educating producers and support for better transportation of product are well documented.
• With the extensive resources providing by NC extension, this is a cost-effective project, building on existing infrastructure
• This is a well constructed project. Cross-county collaboration is a strategy that rural communities should be implementing in several areas. This project has good community support.

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CS06-051 The Clean Food Network, $40,000

The formation of the Clean Food Network is underway. Ten farms are currently in the early stages of forming a marketing cooperative in north Alabama. The cooperative will specialize in sustainably-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and other products, all now being grown by the prospective members. The group plans to utilize the current marketing outlets of the participating farms, allowing them to combine their energies and sell a wider variety to more outlets with less hours spent marketing per farm. They will also be able to pool their resources and surpluses to create frozen and canned products in certified kitchens, which can be sold through the network as well for a longer period at a higher price.

This collaboration will help the many small and beginning farmers in north Alabama capture a larger market. New opportunities will encourage more production and new and transitioning sustainable farms. As production increases, more on-farm jobs will be available and more money will be spent in the area by these local businesses. As local foods become more available and consumers learn where they can be found, the network will be able to expand its offerings and encourage not only more farms but more bakers, processors, and chefs.

The group will utilize the experience and resources of its members and many partner organizations. The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) will serve as the lead institution, and staff from organizations such as the Farmers Fresh Network, Heifer International, Tuskegee's Small Farm Outreach and Technical Assistance Program and others will lend their support and expertise to the project.

This grant will assist the formation of the cooperative by covering significant staff costs and processing equipment and supplies for the first three years. Money is also being requested for the expenses of establishing a corporation as well as outreach such as brochures and a website. The first three years will be the most challenging for the network, and this funding will help cover initial costs and allow the group to build up its market, membership, and capital.

Dove Stackhouse

Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network

PO Box 18782

Huntsville , AL 35804

Ph: 256-891-9856 Fax: 205-449-4535

Em: fastflyer4@bellsouth.net

Why We Picked it

• Farmers mentoring low-income farmers. This will give farmers opportunities to network and learn from each other.
• Good discussion about how this project will benefit member farmers and the public by providing "clean" food.
• Proposal provides good detail about how the cooperative will be formed and maintained over time
• One of the few proposals reviewed that seems to have a plan for dissemination of information about the project. For the most part they plan to utilize existing outlets and opportunities. They go the extra mile and list many of the organizations, conferences and workshops where ASAN and the members of the cooperative will share information.
• The project has very specific objectives and when SSARE goes away the likelihood that the cooperative will continue is great.
• They are also building on the successes of other SSARE funded projects and utilizing that knowledge.

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