The S-SARE / SRDC Sustainable Community Initiative

1. The S-SARE / SRDC Sustainable Community Initiative Community and Agriculture Working in Partnership

2. The 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?

3. 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.

4. Why a Southern SARE / SRDC Partnership?

5. The Agriculture / Community Connection – The Current State ?

6. Some Examples . . . Organic Farmers Fight Genetic Pollution USA: FARMERS FIGHT TO SAVE ORGANIC CROPSby Ben Lilliston. Full article at<http://www.progressive.org/0901/lil0901.html> Organic farmers are having an increasingly difficult time preventinggenetically modified organisms (GMOs) from migrating into their fields. Andorganic food companies are struggling to ensure the integrity of theirproducts. For consumers who demand organic foods, the alarm bells areringing. 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. FUMING OVER PESTICIDE; RESIDENTS UPSET AT USE OF METHYL BROMIDE NEAR HOMES.

7. Our Goal:Build Stronger Ties BetweenThe Community and Agriculture

8. The Sustainable Community Innovations Grant Program A Positive Step in Partnership Building

9. 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

10. Defining 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

11. Defining 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

12. Weaving 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

13. Examples 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

14. Examples 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

15. Key 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

16. Examples 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)

17. Evaluation 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

18. Recommendations • 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

19. Additional 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

20. Latest 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)

21. Other Important Areas of Potential Interests to SARE Audiences Entrepreneurship and E-Commerce Resources

22. The eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities Initiative A Valuable Resource for Farm and Nonfarm Businesses in Rural America

23. Listening Session Sites

24. Entrepreneurship Listening SessionReports Published in 2007

25. Entrepreneurship 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

26. Key Components of the eXtension Entrepreneurship Website FAQs Ask the Expert Activities of the National eXtension Entrepreneurship Team Information Briefs Case Studies State/Local Policies Research Highlights Learning Modules Events/ Current News Data/ Tools

27. The eXtension Entrepreneurship Website http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship

28. Building e-Commerce Extension Capacity Curriculum and Training Activities

29. 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

31. E-commerce Case Studies ClemsonUniversity EDA University Center for Economic Development

32. Thank You ! Discovering New Ideas Applying New Strategies