| CS08-061 |
Mentoring Today for Tomorrow, $10,000 |
| CS08-062 |
Building Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development along the Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina, $10,000 |
| CS08-063 |
SNAP! A Sustainable Network at Polk From Farm to Fork and back to Farm again, $10,000 |
| CS08-064 |
Growing the Manning Farmer's Market , $5,050 |
| CS08-065 |
Marshview Community Organic Farms - Young Farmers of the Lowcountry, $9,700 |
| CS08-066 |
Growing Food & Community: 2009 Initiatives, $10,000 |
| CS08-067 |
The Alabama Blackbelt Community Food System Project, $10,000 |
| CS08-068 |
Training for Sustainable Community Development: Phase IIIb, $5,000 |
CS08-061 Mentoring Today for Tomorrow
The purpose of this project is to equip a young generation with the necessary tools to lead agriculture as today's farmers retire. At the Indian Spring Farmers Association, the members range in ages from 45 to 75. In the state of Mississippi, the average age of farmers is 57.2 years in 2002. In 1997, the average age was 55.3 years. The 2002 national average age is 55.3 years, as compared to 54.0 years in 1997.
Justification for the project is demonstrated as the proposed activities would cultivate a new generation of agricultural leaders that have trained and mentored in diversified areas. The existence of the Indian Springs Farmers Association is reliant on the achievement of this project as more small farmers retire for an assortment of reason, such as health issues and minimal farm labor. Many farmers raised children on the farm; however, the child would leave the farm as an adult. However, agriculture is not as it was fifty years ago. Agriculture and technology have entered into a relationship that has produced offspring such as precision farming. The blend improves the production quality and effectiveness for food and fiber production, food security, and sustainable systems.
This venture is a continuation of the Indian Springs Farmers Association's mission to improve the economic and social well-being of limited resource and specialty crop farmers. The member-farmers help maintain the integrity of natural resources in south Mississippi. The objectives of the cooperative are to:
1. Establish an organized processing and marketing facility;
2. Assist farmers in establishing a conservation cropping system; and
3. Train farm youth by growing specific crops and encouraging youth to stay on the farm.
The Indian Springs Farmers Association, Inc. began in 1978 with 8 members as compared to the cooperative having 30 stockholders and 12 patrons today. Indian Spring was incorporated in 1981 with the assistance of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. The cooperative is a marketing and buying cooperative for farmers operating farms ranging in size from 10 to 1,600 acres. The Association offers year-round markets for the vegetable crops of its members and patrons. Members range in age from 45 to 75. The Association serves a six county area of Mississippi, including: Forrest, Perry, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion and Covington counties.
Members operate their own farm and bring their crops to the Association's facilities for packing and shipping, which was built in 1996. Some crops are field graded and packed; however, the facility is used for grading and packing vegetables under contracts with various corporations. The facility is equipped with a cooler for storage, washing tubs, sorting tables and other equipment for processing the produce from cooperative members.
Principal crops include assorted greens such as kale, bell and jalapeno peppers, greens, peas, squash, watermelon, corn, okra, culinary herbs and other vegetable crops suited to the area.
The cooperative has made significant accomplishments as it markets produce to consumers. The members of the Indian Springs Farmers Association sold $9,881.00 of produce and culinary herbs to Gulf Coast Produce Distributors, Inc in 2005. The cooperative sold their first order to the distribution: 3 50ct bins of watermelons, to Gulf Coast on July 12, 2004. On July 13, 2005, squash, watermelons, jalapeno peppers, and basil were sold to the produce distribution company. Ben Burkett, cooperative manager, said, “We are happy to have sold our produce and culinary herbs to Gulf Coast Produce Distributors, and we look forward to selling more to them in the future.” This is exactly was the cooperative has done. To date, the Indian Springs Farmers Association has sold over $39,000 to Gulf Coast Produce.
At the Alcorn State University 2005 Small Farmers Conference, the Indian Springs Farmers Association was awarded “Cooperative of the Year.” In this year, severe weather caused extensive damage to agriculture and businesses, such as Gulf Coast Produce Distributors, Inc., near the Mississippi Gulf Coast. However, the cooperative bounced back and sold fresh produce to food kitchens and non-profit organizations. Ben F. Burkett
Indian Springs Farmers Association
131 Sheeplo Loop
Petal , MS 39465
Ph: 601-543-0900
Fax: same
Em: benburkett@earthlink.net
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CS08-062 Building Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development along the Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina
McIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development (SEED) is a community-based initiative that focuses on economic development strategies and approaches. While the focus is on strengthening development practices and influencing policy, supporting entrepreneurs are important components of this approach. McIntosh SEED is a true grassroots initiative, created to explore strategies to raise the community out of decades of poverty. The nonprofit organization's focus is on economic development while minimizing the impact to the natural environment.
The project “Building Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development along the Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina” is founded on the principles of linking sustainable agriculture and community development. This project will utilize results gleaned from a food system survey to develop and implement a strategic plan that recognizes the economic, environmental, and social interdependence between farming and communities. In addition, the project will develop a plan to facilitate the development of entrepreneurs engaged in value-added agricultural activities. This project will solicit public participation to develop Food System networks throughout the coastal plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina, and increase public awareness and knowledge of the benefits of sustainable farming on the farmer, consumer, community, and environment. Specifically, the Regional Food Systems Strategic Plan will focus efforts on opening new markets for farmers, creating a more diverse network of farmers, and create community gardens and a community kitchen for entrepreneurial projects. Technical assistance and guidance will offered to all particpants.
The project will build capacity through its partnerships with local government, state government, federal government, non-profit and community agencies and organizations. It will focus on entrepreneurial efforts and opportunities and on value-added activities that build on the agricultural and nonagricultural assets of communities. 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 and Economic Development
PO Box 2355
Darien , GA 31305
Ph: 912-437-7821
Fax: None
Em: mcseed@darientel.net
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CS08-063 SNAP! A Sustainable Network at Polk From Farm to Fork and back to Farm again
We are looking to attract entrepreneurial farmers to small, rural Polk County, and to create a community wide cultural understanding of sustainable community practices. By creating a network of organic farmers, and a consortium of local restaurant owners and retail market owners who are committed to purchasing and featuring their local products, we believe we can create a local food infrastructure for a cooperative and profitable entrepreneurial business market. The added bonus to this plan is that the restaurant owners will actively engage to obtain a zero waste status for their business by participating in a comprehensive recycling plan, part of which will help to create compost which will then be returned to the organic farms to help create rich, fertile soil. This Full Circle of Life process will create a visible and palpable model of sustainability that the entire community can participate in and expand upon.
From Farm to Fork and back to Farm again are the three objectives that create the full sustainable circle of this project.
1. From Farm: The objective of this first step is to develop a network of at least 4 local organic farmers that collectively can supply produce to area restaurants meeting year round needs as realistically as possible. The farmers benefit by having a local established market for their produce so they can focus on the diversity, quality, timing and seasonal extensions of their crops. In addition to enhancing existing operations, an initiative effort will be made to engage 1-2 new farming operations. A key to this objective is to have the buyer already in place so the farmers can focus on their production and know the produce can be sold.
2. To Fork: This objective is to provide restaurants with a reliable and somewhat predictable source of local fresh produce. Not only will they get high quality fresh produce, but locally grown organic initiatives are very marketable to the public. Also by working directly with the growers, they can help guide the choice of varieties and seasonal needs which will suite their menus. Already there are six local restaurants that have been identified as interested in featuring locally grown produce. By having on-site information about the network integrated into their businesses, these restaurants also serve as a significant awareness vehicle for the community and for people visiting the community.
3. Back To Farm: This objective is to complete a sustainability loop as an alternate to the traditional solid waste disposal. We are very fortunate to have a working company that has successfully recycled and processed waste in this fashion in nearby Asheville, NC and is interested in operations in Polk County. The benefit to the restaurants is to show that their operations are 100% green, the farmers will have high quality compost, and the disposal company will have a saleable product, including the recycled materials.
From a Polk County standpoint this project meets objectives to encourage agriculture and entrepreneurial enterprises. The project can be expanded as a sustainable project within Polk County and it can also be transferable to other areas in North Carolina and the region. A major overriding objective is to have the project continue as a self sufficient economic initiative.
Mary Lyth
EarthSong Rising LLC
dba Giardini Gardens, Giardini Catering Co.
2411 Hwy. 108E
Columbus , NC 28722
Ph: 828-817-3727
Fax: 828-894-0341
Em: mdlyth@aol.com top of page
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CS08-064 Growing the Manning Farmer's Market
Agricultural land makes up more than 80% of the land use in Clarendon County. The Manning Farmer's Market proposes to strengthen the linkage between this agricultural community and the community development of the City of Manning. This linkage between "town" and "country" will ensure the success of both communities in the face of an ever-growing Clarendon County.
The Manning Farmer's Market proposes to partner with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's 4-H program, the Clarendon County Council on Aging and a local farmer to create a community garden. At this community garden, the Clemson Extension and the Master Gardener's program will teach the youth from the 4-H program, local interested citizens and the elderly from the Council of Aging various agricultural practices to help them grow fresh fruits and vegetables. The Manning Farmer's Market will then allow these products to be sold at the market. This will teach the value of agriculture and entrepreneurship while encouraging community interaction. The proceeds from the sale of these goods will go to purchase seed and tools for the next year's garden, with the hopes that this will become a self-perpetuating project.
The Manning Farmer's Market would also like to move the market downtown onto the Clarendon County Courthouse Square to make the market more accessible to the entire community. The City of Manning is a "Main Street, SC" community and this move would allow the Market to benefit from the economic and community development activities that are being undertaken by the Main Street Manning Group. This move will marry sound farm and non-farm economic and community development activities in a way that will benefit the agricultural and downtown community.
The Manning City Farmer's market also proposes to continue our pilot program of allowing customers at the market to purchase produce with their Food Stamps or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT.) This will allow the local farming community to connect with the low to moderate income population of Clarendon County and to take advantage of this largely guaranteed income stream. It will also allow the low to moderate income population to receive the health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. Jan McNair
City of Manning
PO Box 546 , 411 N. Brooks Street
Manning , SC 29102
Ph: 803-435-8477
Fax: 803-435-4608
Em: manningadministrator@sc.rr.com top of page Back to Why We Picked Them
CS08-065 Marshview Community Organic Farms - Young Farmers of the Lowcountry
The funding will be used to assist a 501C3 organization whose goal is to incorporate an organic CSA into the community. For the Youth, the project will help to instill entrepreneurial skills by introducing the concepts of markets, pricing, and supply and demand. The project will promote self-sufficiency, increase problem solving, as well as constructive communication and team building skills. Ultimately, the young people will be enabled with confidence to undertake life's challenges. For the CSA Members: Adults are able to have access to a garden and are able to get in touch with their community and local food production. Adults are given an opportunity to interact with the youth while working in a pleasant environment. Through the CSA, the farm and the community will share the abundance and shortfalls associated with farming. The CSA will be an educational opportunity for all involved to become more connected to our food supply and all of the true costs and benefits of agriculture.
Sara Reynolds
Marshview Community Organic Farms
Community Supported Agriculture
12 Georgees Trail
St. Helena Island , SC 29920
Ph: 843-812-0202
Em: svreynolds@earthlink.net
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CS08-066 Growing Food & Community: 2009 Initiatives
Growing Food & Community is an initiative dedicated to creating, supporting and uniting community food programs and sustainable agriculture projects as a pathway toward resilient, viable and equitable food systems in the Virginia Piedmont.
Our goal is to partner those that produce, distribute and market our food locally with those that consume these foods locally and, thus, galvanize our community, protect the environment, strengthen our local economy and secure our future.
To achieve this goal, Growing Food & Community (hereafter referred to as GF&C) is requesting this grant to create and support viable economic models of value-added food production and direct producer-to-consumer partnerships within the Piedmont region of Virginia including Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Rappahannock counties. This 10-county region includes metropolitan, micropolitan and noncore designations.
Specific projects we will focus on in 2009 include:
• Develop a series of regional workshops and a corresponding handbook that focuses on value-added agriculture and food processing enterprises
• Construct a website that will offer valuable resources and information, as well as networking opportunities, for those interested in value-added food production and sales
• Expand direct market opportunities for value-added foods by organizing farmers markets and special events and by linking producers directly with local consumers
• Provide ongoing consultation & administrative support for new and existing farmers markets and community food projects
We will accomplish this through building long-lasting, mutually supportive partnerships between those that grow, sell, process, store, distribute, regulate, buy and eat food.
Dawn Story
Growing Food & Community
3571 Deer Ridge Farm
Charlottesville , VA 22902
Ph: 540-718-3200
Em: dawn@newmoonnaturals.com
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CS08-067 The Alabama Blackbelt Community Food System Project
The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service found that during the 1990's rural areas received unprecedented economic growth. Poverty fell from 17.1 percent to 13.4 percent and the rural per capita income increased from $16,506 in 1993 to $21,831 in 2000. However, by 2001 a recession caused rural income growth to slow and poverty to increase. In essence, while rural citizens may have experienced some economic growth, research suggests that the all-important issue of food security remained a threat to the sustainability of rural areas.
In 2002-2004, the United Christian Community Association (TUCCA), a faith based 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization located in the rural Taylor Community of Marengo County, Alabama began to address some of these needs by facilitating a process to demonstrate alternative sustainable agricultural production systems on their 44 acres demonstration farm. Yet, the Taylor Community still lacks an adequate food system to address the need for food security and cultural sustainability. With an African American population of 140 people, residents of this Blackbelt community must travel at least 12 miles to the nearest grocery store and prepare for a 35 mile journey to a larger national chain marketplace.
This community, like many other rural communities, has lost part of its culture of actively producing safe and healthy foods for families. As a result, at least two generations of people have little to no knowledge of healthy food processing and production. These communities and their youth are unaware that the December 2006 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement reports that 21.8 percent of Black households have food insecurity and that regionally, the food insecurity rate was above the national rate in the South by 12.3 percent. As a result, this project proposes to help overcome this problem by:
• Developing a demonstrational community food system model to educate 200-300 elementary school students from schools within a 15 mile radius of the TUCCA demonstration farm by conducting field trips to the site so students can observe and participate in food production, packaging, processing, and storage.
• Encouraging 5-10 small, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers to become active producers of vegetables and meats.
• Establishing a centralized location at the TUCCA multi-purpose complex to store products for customers to purchase at a reasonable price.
• Meeting with 5-10 communities to encourage the establishment of their own community food system.
When this project is complete the following outcomes and milestones are expected:
• African American students from surrounding rural communities in the Blackbelt become aware of safe and healthy community level food production and become educated on the need for such production; thereby bridging the agricultural generational gap.
• A community food system demonstration site impacts and supports community education and outreach through delivering first hand participation and observational workshops.
• TUCCA establishes a centralized location to make products available to community residents and customers; thus encouraging entrepreneurship, community innovation, sustainability, and ultimate private enterprise.
Andrew Williams
The United Christian Community Association (TUCCA)
1618 County Road 65
Safford , AL 36773
Ph: 334-627-3970
Fax: 334-627-3934
Em: unitedchristiancommunity@frontiernet.net
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CS08-068 Training for Sustainable Community Development: Phase IIIb
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 eight of these communities (Tillery, NC; Prairie Farms, AL, Mound Farms, LA; Mileston, MS; Flint River Farms; GA; Allendale Farms, SC; Gee's Bend Farms, AL; and Aberdeen Gardens, VA) a sustainable economic development strategy and training meeting will be convened at the host Resettlement Community of Mound Farms in Mound, LA. Community participation will ensure that this training will lead to site-specific community development plans and activities.
This proposal will allow the inclusion of a neighboring Resettlement Community, Mileston, MS, to be a part of the training.
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 AES
100 Campbell Hall
Tuskegee , AL 36088
Ph: 334-727-7114
Fax: 334-724-4451
Em: zabawar@tuskegee.edu
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