Farming and Agricultural Recommendations for Mount Pleasant (F.A.R.M.)

Project Overview

CS10-082
Project Type: Sustainable Community Innovation
Funds awarded in 2010: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: Southern
State: North Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Stacy Piehl
Town of Mount Pleasant
Co-Investigators:
Michael Robertson
Town of Mount Pleasant

Information Products

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Crop Production: food product quality/safety
  • Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture, farm-to-institution, feasibility study, agricultural finance, market study, value added, agritourism
  • Sustainable Communities: community planning, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, local and regional food systems, partnerships, public participation, public policy, urban/rural integration

    Proposal abstract:

    The Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's fourth largest municipality, seeks to re-introduce farming through sustainable agricultural practices as a tool for economic development and to create a more sustainable community. In addition to increasing and promoting farmers, shrimpers, suppliers, foodstuffs producers and other value-added related businesses, the Town seeks to develop methods to extend economic opportunity even further. The local plan will include recommendations to develop programs for community resiliency, food access, and food security. The Town in partnership with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) will identify and meet with stakeholders to develop a local food economy plan, create an inventory of existing and potnetial lands for cultivation in the planning area, develop a local food assessment based on qualitative and quantitative date for the region related to agricultural production and current consumption figures, and recommend changes to the zoning code to encourage local sustainable agriculture and the growth of a local food economy.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    1. Develop a local food assessment based on qualitative and quantitative date for the region related to agricultural production and current consumption figures
    2. Recommend changes to the zoning code to encourage local sustainable agriculture and the growth of a local food economy
    3. Produce a summary report with recommendations for strategic actions and next steps for developing and expanding the local food economy
    4. Present findings to Town Council for implementation

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.