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The S-SARE / SRDC Sustainable Community Initiative

The S-SARE / SRDC Sustainable Community Initiative

Community and Agriculture Working in Partnership

The Focus of My PresentationThe Focus of My Presentation• What is “Civic Agriculture”?

• Why a partnership of the S-SARE/SRDC?

• What are the key components of the Sustainable Community Initiative?

• What has been done to date?

• Other related efforts of importance?

What is Civic Agriculture? What is Civic Agriculture? According to Lyson (2005). . .

• Civic agriculture is the embedding of local agriculltural and food production in the community.

• It embodies a commitment to developing and strengthening an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable system of agriculture and food production that relies on local resources and serves local markets and consumers.

• Locally-based organizational, associational, and institutional components of the agriculture and food system is at the heart of civic agriculture.

• Civic agriculture should not be confused with civic farmers.

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Why a Southern SARE / SRDC Partnership?Why a Southern SARE / SRDC Partnership?

The Agriculture / Community Connection – The Current State ?

The Agriculture / Community Connection – The Current State ?

Some Examples . . .Some Examples . . .

Farmers fight central

Oregon resorts

Growth - New developments are helping

revive Crook County's economy, but

rural residents ask: At what cost?

Monday, December 31, 2007 MATTHEW

PREUSCH

The Oregonian Staff

POWELL BUTTE -- It's dark enough on this

December night that the yellow glow

coming from the windows of the Powell

Butte Community Center barely lights the

gravel parking lot filled with sedans,

pickups and SUVs.

Organic Farmers Fight Genetic Pollution

USA: FARMERS FIGHT TO SAVE

ORGANIC CROPSby Ben Lilliston. Full article at

<http://www.progressive.org/0901/lil0901.ht

ml> Organic farmers are having an increasingly

difficult time preventinggenetically modified organisms (GMOs)

from migrating into their fields. And

organic food companies are struggling to

ensure the integrity of their

products. For consumers who demand

organic foods, the alarm bells are

ringing.FUMING OVER PESTICIDE; RESIDENTS UPSET AT USE OF METHYL BROMIDE NEAR HOMES.

Our Goal:Build Stronger Ties Between

The Community and Agriculture

Our Goal:Build Stronger Ties Between

The Community and Agriculture

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The Sustainable Community Innovations Grant Program

The Sustainable Community Innovations Grant Program

A Positive Step in Partnership Building

What Was Done? What Was Done?

• Worked through our different cultures and perspectives

• Prepared a request for proposals document

• Targeted our stakeholders

• Gave equal voice

• Invested in innovation

• Learned to be patient

Defining SustainabilityDefining Sustainability

SARE’s Focus:• Enhance environmental

quality & the natural resource base upon which the ag economy depends

• Efficient use of nonrenewable & on farm resources

• Integrate natural biological cycles & controls, where appropriate

• Enhance the Q of L of farmers/ranchers and society as a whole

Defining SustainabilityDefining Sustainability

SRDC’s Rural Community Development Efforts:•Promote sound local decisions on economic, environmental & equity issues•Expand active involvement of diverse people•Build trust among local people, organizations & institutions •Pursue honest discussions and debates•Build on local assets•Preserve the health of area’s natural resources

Weaving Our PerspectivesWeaving Our Perspectives

The Sustainable Community Innovations Grant Program: It’s Goals•Pursue local strategies that link sound farm & nonfarm economic development with agricultural and natural resource management•Blend sustainable agriculture practices with new community development strategies•Increase our ability to build resilient farms, businesses and communities in the South

Examples of Areas of InterestExamples of Areas of Interest

• Promote equitable economic development that promotes/protects the human & natural resources of a community

• Strengthen connections among on- and off-farm sustainable activities

• Expand civic engagement and build strategic plan that recognizes the interdependence between farming and rural communities

Examples of Areas of InterestExamples of Areas of Interest

• Promote balanced discussion of public policy issues addressing sustainable agriculture -community goals

• Bring local government and community groups together to develop regional plans on sustainability

• Develop entrepreneurs engaged in value-added activities that bring benefits to agriculture and the broader rural economy; explore entrepreneurship-friendly policies/programs

Key Data on the ProgramKey Data on the Program

• Launched in 2002

• Approximately 53 projects funded to date by the partners Over 400 proposals submitted by potential

grantees from 2002-07

• Funding levels around $10,000 per project

• Undertook formal evaluation of the program in 2006-07

Examples of Projects FundedExamples of Projects Funded• Agritourism: A Strategy Toward Sustainable Farm, Business, Family and

Community Development• Downtown Farmer's Market- Linking the Farm to the Community• Making the Connection: Enhancing Agricultural Understanding in

Urbanizing Area• Keen on Beans: Establishing Edamame Awareness and Demand for

Kentucky Customers and Growers• Pioneering the Way to the Future• Test Marketing of New Label in Southwest Florida for USA Grown / Living

Wage Produce• Northwest Arkansas Local Food Initiative: Promoting all-Ozark meals• Taylor Community Supported Agriculture Project (TCSAP)• Putting Pike on the Map (Agri-Tourism) • New River Sustainable Agriculture Market Plan• A Strategy for Sustaining Henderson County Agricultural Communities• Youth as Community Organizers (Building Sustainable Agric/Community

Linkages)

Evaluation of 12 ProjectsEvaluation of 12 Projects

• Ten of the 12 projects were successful in completing the goals/objectives of their projects

• Six of the 12 projects demonstrated sustainability – they’ve continued after funding was over

• Involvement of the broader community in the project was not always evident

• Getting buy-in by producers and other community entities was sometimes difficult

• Solid documentation was often spotty

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Proposal reviewers should assess the appropriateness of project objectives relative to the requested funds

• SARE/SRDC implement periodic contacts with to PIs to identify potential problems that result from barriers

• PIs suggested follow up support in 2 areas:– Provide opportunity for supplemental funds– Help find partners with technical expertise

Additional RecommendationsAdditional Recommendations

• Funding decisions should consider the fact that the adoption of the practices & technologies proposed may require structural changes, as well as changes in producer attitudes

• Encourage the inclusion of an educational component for each project to help build broad-based partnerships

Latest Journal IssueLatest Journal Issue

• “Sustainable Development: Connecting Agriculture and Community” 5 research articles 1 case studies Introductory chapter

• Co-Edited by Bo Beaulieu (SRDC) and Jeff Jordan (S-SARE)

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Other Important Areas of Potential Interests to SARE Audiences

Other Important Areas of Potential Interests to SARE Audiences

Entrepreneurship and E-Commerce Resources

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The eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities Initiative

The eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities Initiative

A Valuable Resource for Farm and Nonfarm Businesses in Rural America

Listening Session SitesListening Session Sites

Entrepreneurship Listening SessionReports Published in 2007

Entrepreneurship Listening SessionReports Published in 2007

Entrepreneurship PrioritiesEntrepreneurship Priorities

• Building and supporting business skills for current and emerging entrepreneurs

• Expanding access to capital

• Building networks and collaborations

• Creating community support for entrepreneurs (i.e., policies)

• Strengthening youth entrepreneurship efforts

• Developing virtual resource centers

Key Components of the eXtension Entrepreneurship Website

Key Components of the eXtension Entrepreneurship Website

FAQsFAQs

InformationBriefs

InformationBriefs

Data/Tools

Data/Tools

State/LocalPolicies

State/LocalPolicies

LearningModules

LearningModules

Research

Highlights

CaseStudiesCase

Studies

Ask theExpert

Ask theExpertActivities of

the National eXtension

Entrepreneurship Team

Events/CurrentNews

Events/CurrentNews

The eXtension Entrepreneurship WebsiteThe eXtension Entrepreneurship Website

http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship

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Building e-Commerce Extension CapacityBuilding e-Commerce Extension Capacity

Curriculum and Training Activities

New e-Commerce Products New e-Commerce Products

• Five products to be released late 2007 Connecting Rural Communities:

IT Strategic Planning Farm Business Management Rural Artisans Retail Businesses (e-Tailing) Experience Economy

E-commerce Case StudiesE-commerce Case StudiesBusiness Name Location Product or Service

Magic Kennels Grand Marais, MN Provides sled dogs adventure weekends

Blue Smoke Salsa Ansted, WV Manufactures and markets salsa

Boreal Access Grand Marais, MN Internet service provider

Brush ArtBlack Downs, KS Full-service advertising agency

Columbia Falls Pottery Columbia Falls, ME Manufactures and markets pottery and tiles

Dessin Fournir Plainville, KS Designs and manufactures home furnishings

Eolian Farms Newcastle, ME Produces and sells fibers from llamas and Shetland sheep

Farmchem Floyd, IA Equipment and service provider for crop input dealers

Clemson UniversityEDA University Center for

Economic Development

Thank You !Thank You !

Discovering New Ideas Applying New Strategies