Seeds of Change Appalachia
To promote public health & to end poverty by establishing a vibrant regional food system in the Appalachian regions of North Carolina, Tennessee & Virginia
Milestones: Implementation Year One
Bridges Out of Poverty/Hospitality House
PRODUCTION/EDUCATION
Major deliverable & measure: Installation of a high tunnel and a pilot training program centered on production and skills development by June 30, 2013.
This project pairs a mentoring program with agricultural and culinary vocational training. Bridges out of Poverty provides a curriculum for helping individuals and families rise out of poverty. Hospitality House of Boone will develop cross-sector relationships with local and regional resources to expand awareness of the initiative, garner pivotal financial support, identify expertise, and tap into networks of volunteers to move the initiative forward. A pilot program will be developed that focuses on workshops, hands on training, internships and mentoring, which help participants understand healthy living, growing food and other similar topics. This project will also focus on building the organizational infrastructure to undertake the initiative, including staffing, forming a guiding coalition and subcommittees to support program and resource development, and creating a pool of volunteers interested and ready to provide support services and/or become mentors and allies.
The Giving Table
PRODUCTION/PAD/INFRASTRUCTURE
Major deliverable & measure: A fodder finishing system that feeds 60 cows per day and produces a minimum of 3-10 cows per month by June 30, 2013.
This project will contribute to purchasing and installing a hydroponic fodder system with capacity to feed 60 cows per day in initial development. By producing a hydroponic fodder to finish grass-fed beef, farmers can ensure consistency of taste, texture, and marbling for consumer markets. A plan of action will be developed to network grass-fed beef farmers, especially limited resource farmers, in order to grow opportunities using the feed system in conjunction with the Wesley Storehouse, an aggregation facility in Wilkes County. Aggregated beef will be used for markets as well as supply the food pantry. Relationships will be developed with grocery and restaurant markets, using taste tests to market product quality. Relationships will also be established with area churches to build a network of anchor institutions for subscription sales. This project has the potential to create at least 20 jobs.
Ashe Commercial Kitchen
PAD/INFRASTRUCTURE
Major deliverable & measure: Employ a part time kitchen manager, create a business plan for the shared use kitchen, and develop a plan for renovations for aggregating and processing produce and begin renovations by June 30, 2013.
A business plan will be developed to revitalize the Commercial Kitchen located at Ashe Family Central in Jefferson. The steps needed to keep the kitchen a thriving and sustainable resource for the community will be laid out. Part of the funds will be used to hire a kitchen manager who will recruit users, producers and processors. The kitchen will also purchase equipment to meet the needs of today’s producers. Collaborating partners include the Partnership for Children, Ashe County, Agricultural Extension, Carol Coulter, Anthony Flaccavento and alt.Consulting.
Alleghany Food Hub
PAD/INFRASTRUCTURE
Major deliverable & measure: A blueprint and business plan for needed food system infrastructure in Alleghany County including connections to the regional food system by June 30, 2013.
This project aims to develop a sub-regional strategy for food system infrastructure development in Alleghany County including connections to existing regional assets, market analysis of product demand and production supply, stakeholder development, funding strategy and feasibility plans.
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
PRODUCTION, MARKETS, EDUCATION/AWARENESS
Major deliverable & measure: Documented increase of the number of farmers that are trained in business and participate in marketing strategies by June 30, 2013.
ASAP will build farmer capacity by providing farmers with training and technical assistance through one-on-one consultations that provide farmers with individualized assistance and marketing workshops at ASAP’s annual Business of Farming conference. They will facilitate successful connections between farmers and buyers through conducting outreach for the 2013 Local Food Guide and the 2013 Mixing Bowl (ASAP’s farm to business trade directory), as well as through introducing farmers to suitable buyers and conducting a High Country CSA Fair. ASAP will increase the visibility and market competitiveness of locally grown food through regional branding by conducting outreach to farmers about ASAP’s Appalachian Grown program and the benefits of branding through this regional branding program as well as providing farmers certified through the program with marketing materials and resources to promote their products. Activities and measures include:
· continue contacting farms about listing in the Local Food Guide and continue conducting outreach for the Mixing Bowl
o # and list of new farms and businesses participating in the Guide and Mixing Bowl
· recruit farmers from the area to attend the business of farming (BOF) conference
o # and list of farmers in the region who have not yet attended a BOF Conference
· set up one-on-one market planning consultations with interested farmers
o # and list of new farmers enrolled in the marketing program
· begin planning for high country CSA fair and recruit 10 farmers
o # of new farmers that participate in a CSA
· outreach to farmers about Appalachian Grown program and the benefits of regional branding
o # of new farmers that participate in the Appalachian Grown program
· collaborate with High Country Grown on a co-marketing effort for spring 2013 launch
o Establish and document a pilot program with HCG that for regional expansion
High Country Grown
PRODUCTION, MARKETS, EDUCATION/AWARENESS
Major deliverable & measure: A pilot project for expansion/replication that increases the number of direct market outlets and provides production training for farmers to increase the amount and type of produce to meet market demand.
The High Country Grown Brand helps consumers and markets identify and connect with local foods.
This project will help develop and implement High Country Grown Campaign materials and co-marketing strategy with ASAP through educational ads and materials so that consumers begin to recognize and see the importance of High Country Grown and the co-marketing initiative. The aim is to build strong working relationships with independent local restaurants as well as work with chefs to help source local food through existing distributors and new direct markets. The program will work directly with High Country farmers by offering workshops and training on growing region specific products that the direct markets want on a consistent basis and strengthening the relationships between farmer and chef. High Country Grown will provide seed, livestock and/or infrastructure (i.e. High Tunnels) to genuine need farmers to help them get started in meeting the demand of the direct markets. This project will also continue implementing the Farm to School Grant Fund – reaching a more diverse rural population of children and their parents through the school sales of the LOCAL FIRST! REWARDS CARD in which $5 of every card sale goes into this grant fund.
Revised Jan 24, 2013 LW / 3