Growing the Impact: Building Capacity for Statewide and Regional Food System Plans

Progress report for ENC21-207

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2021: $89,912.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2024
Grant Recipient: Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
Region: North Central
State: Michigan
Project Coordinator:
Lindsey Scalera
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
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Project Information

Abstract:

This project creates a multi-state, virtual professional development community of practice (CP), bringing together diverse leaders working on current and emerging food system plan/charter efforts in the North Central region. This CoP seeks to address common challenges and strategies to foster more equitable, sustainable, diverse, and healthy local/regional food systems.

Participants in food system plan/charter efforts – such as extension educators, farmers, food hub managers, local food council members, statewide food, agriculture, health networks and organizations, and local and state policymakers and agency staff – will increase their knowledge and capacity to conduct their work with an equity lens and build their networks to engage in cross-state collaboration to strengthen local and regional food systems.

In the long-term, this project will cultivate local and regional food systems in the North Central region that are more equitable, sustainable, diverse, and healthy. The development of a community of practice with an online resource hub and collaboratively developed series of four learning sessions will provide training and educational resources and allow participants to share learnings and explore opportunities for collaboration across the region.

We have established a planning committee composed of all North Central state representatives who helped us reach out to farmers for to participate in discussions to illuminate and prioritize farmer perspectives, helped develop and promoted the workshop series among colleagues and practitioners, and who will participate in the community of practice activities, some serving as presenters.

Project Objectives:

Activity Outputs 

  • Overall participation of approximately 60 individuals representing at least nine North Central states in a community of practice, including representatives from tribal communities, 1890 and 1994 land grant institutions, and Hispanic Serving Institutions in the region. 
    • Adaptation: We will better evaluate where we have gaps in participation after our first learning session and make a plan to invite additional participants to future learning sessions.
  • Enrollment of approximately 60 individuals in the online community of practice Hub. 
  • Participation of at least six farmers from North Central states in farmer focus group and at least one farmer engaged as a workshop presenter. 
    • Adaptation: We were able to speak directly with five farmers from Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota. And we utilized pre-existing documentation from farmer and food systems practitioners from Michigan and Iowa.
  • Exploration of new partnerships between North Central States with possibilities for seeking collaborative funding; coordinated regional outreach, communications, and/or advocacy; and data collection and/or sharing. 
  • 50-75% participation response in evaluation surveys. 

Materials Outputs

We anticipate the following materials will be developed through his project:  

  • An online community of practice hub.
    • Adaptation: We still plan to have this, but are working on the most accessible solution as there are some limitations with the initial technology we planned to use.
  • A summary brief of learnings from farmer feedback focus group.
  • Four recordings of educational presentations, to be made available publicly.
  • At least six stories from participating states.
  • One curated list of resources used or developed by North Central state food system plans/charter initiatives, including the updated scan and directory of states with food system plans/charters.

Cooperators

Click linked name(s) to expand/collapse or show everyone's info
  • Lindsey Day Farnsworth
  • Sarah Baranskas - Technical Advisor
  • Erica Blair
  • Stephanie Blumhagen
  • Amy Bodiker Baskes
  • Giselle Bruskewitz
  • Rhoda Burrows
  • Justin Carter
  • Diane Chapeta
  • Lindsey Day Farnsworth
  • Catie Demets
  • Carrie Elsen
  • Dr. Naima Gardner Rice
  • Abby Gold
  • Jess Guffey Calkins
  • Sophia Hoss
  • Dr. Brittany Jones
  • Beth Knorr
  • Kelly Kunkel
  • Jan Libbey
  • Annie Massey
  • Erin Melton
  • Rae Miller
  • Michelle Moskowitz Brown
  • Ann Olson
  • Dr. Virginia Pleasant
  • Kathleen Rykhus
  • Sarah Smith
  • Jan Stankiewicz
  • Liz Stelk

Education

Educational approach:

The primary approach is an adaptation of Wiggins and McTighe’s, “Backwards Design.” In this process, an essential question is identified from which lines of inquiry and learning goals are drawn. The first three large group sessions built on each other in a process to identify highly relevant topics and essential questions to collaboratively design a series of four learning sessions. 

We launched the project with activity during our first large group informational session to gather feedback from around 40 potential CoP members on our proposed topics of interest and to solicit ideas for additional topics. After establishing the Planning Committee, the first two meetings were focused on developing an understanding of the collective experience in the group as well as a honing the four-session series topics. Two additional stages followed to further refine and plan facilitation for each Learning Session.

  • Identifying Our Strengths & Experience (June 3, 2022): The first full Planning Committee meeting began with a comprehensive overview of the learnings from the Farmer Discussion Sessions. That was followed by an activity designed to identify what knowledge, skills, and resources members of the Community of Practice already hold in relation to the primary topics. These topics included: Working with Interest Groups & Network-Building, Food System Plan Development, Food Policy Advocacy & Organizing, Tracking and Sharing Progress, and Other Ideas/Gaps.
  • Prioritizing Learning Goals (July 18, 2022): Our second full Planning Committee meeting involved a deliberative process to hone in on our shared learning goals by mapping on where we had multiple state representatives with experiences in each of the five initial categories identified. Building on previous activities, we discussed what would be most important to cover in a 90-minute learning session, and in doing so, members shared about their work and challenges. Four learning sessions were decided upon:
    • 1) Models, Practices, and Progress in Centering Racial Equity in Statewide Food System Plans
    • 2) Networks as a strategy to set statewide goals and advance collaboration
    • 3) Data gathering and communication strategies
    • 4) Advocacy Strategies & Policy Priorities
  • Learning Session Development (Passive “homework”): Following the Planning Committee meetings, we synthesized the information gained from the previous activities and set up a passive “homework” activity in which we asked members to fill in further information and offer feedback for each of the draft learning sessions. The activity gave us a chance to identify more specific learning goals for each topic, highlight any gaps in the potential topic list or areas where we might want to bring in outside expertise. 
  • Small-Group Facilitation Planning Committees (Ongoing): In the homework, members were asked to sign up for a small-group learning session planning committee. In our first small-group planning session, we developed a facilitation template that will make the subsequent sessions a little easier to plan. The first learning session is planned for March 3, 2023 and will feature speakers from Indiana and Ohio and an opportunity to do some self-assessment with a colleague. Members were also asked to submit a brief story, outlining their approach to the topic. We will continue to gather those stories as we move through the series.

Thus far, this has been an affirming and asset-based way to develop a highly-relevant learning series while also getting to know our colleagues.

Related Media: 

We are working to gather all materials onto a single hub, where members can access all meeting materials without having to dig through emails. 

Education & Outreach Initiatives

Informational Meeting - November 9, 2021
Objective:

Participants will be informed about the project, provide feedback about learning goals, and ask questions.

Description:

We launched the project with activity during our first large group informational session to gather feedback from around 40 potential Community of Practice members on our proposed topics of interest and to solicit ideas for additional topics.

Outcomes and impacts:

Participants learned about the project and subsequently, we had representatives from all 12 NCR states expressing interest in joining the project as a planning committee member or participant in future learning sessions.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to get an updated sense of where folks were at in the development of their statewide food systems plans and what topics are important to cover in our learning series.

A graphic depicting the ratings participants gave various learning topics on a spectrum of "not a priority" to "essential."
November 9, 2021: A group of approximately 40 representatives from North Central states joined an informational session. The above activity asked participants to rank proposed topics on a spectrum from "not a priority" to "essential."
A graphic showing responses to the question: where is your state at in the development of a statewide food systems plan?
A graphic showing responses to the question: where is your state at in the development of a statewide food systems plan?

Identifying Our Strengths & Experience (June 3, 2022):
Objective:

Participants will learn about the policy and program priorities identified by farmers in the north central region that can be addressed through state/regional food system plans or charters; and highlight where they have experience in a spectrum of activities and efforts to identify core areas of shared interest.

Description:

The first full Planning Committee meeting began with a comprehensive overview of the learnings from the Farmer Discussion Sessions.

That was followed by an activity designed to identify what knowledge, skills, and resources members of the Community of Practice already hold in relation to the primary topics. These topics included:

  • Working with Interest Groups & Network-Building;
  • Food System Plan Development;
  • Food Policy Advocacy & Organizing, Tracking and Sharing Progress; and
  • Other Ideas/Gaps.

SARE PDP - Identifying our Learning Goals, Strengths & Experiences - Padlet Export - 06-03-22 Padlet

Outcomes and impacts:

We were able to use this information in the next meeting to further refine our learning goals and plans for the Learning Session series.

Members were able to clearly state where they have experience they would be willing to share with others. It was a boon to see how many of us were working on similar issues. 

Prioritizing Learning Goals (July 18, 2022)
Objective:

Participants will collaboratively refine the choices for the four learning session series.

Description:

Our second full Planning Committee meeting involved a deliberative process to hone in on our shared learning goals by mapping on where we had multiple state representatives with experiences in each of the five initial categories identified.

Building on previous activities, we discussed what would be most important to cover in a 90-minute learning session, and in doing so, members shared about their work and challenges.

Four learning sessions were decided upon:

  • Learning Session 1: Models, Practices, and Progress in Centering Racial Equity in Statewide Food System Plans
  • Learning Session 2: Networks as a strategy to set statewide goals and advance collaboration
  • Learning Session 3: Data gathering and communication strategies
  • Learning Session 4: Advocacy Strategies & Policy Priorities
Outcomes and impacts:

Again, this session built on the previous to further get to know what assets exist within in the group, but also offer time for CoP members to identify issues and challenges they would like to tackle with the help of their colleagues.

Learning Session Development (Passive “homework”)
Objective:

This passive activity was designed to give members more time to think carefully about their own learning goals and help refine the final session.

Description:

We synthesized the information gained from the previous activities and set up a passive “homework” activity in which we asked members to fill in further information and offer feedback for each of the draft learning sessions. The activity gave us a chance to identify more specific learning goals for each topic, highlight any gaps in the potential topic list or areas where we might want to bring in outside expertise. 

In this document, we created four draft outlines of learning sessions. We asked Committee members to review each section in the following steps:

  1. Draft Essential question: Please comment/suggest if you have ideas, questions, or suggestions for changes to refine that essential question
  2. Scheduling: Add your availability/preferences
  3. Summary of our Experience: Review and add your own experience if it’s not reflected there. 
  4. Focus: If you have particular items or topics you hope we can address in this learning session, note it here
  5. Outside Resources: Are there any tools, speakers, or other resources you find helpful for this topic we should consider or that you would like to share?
  6. Sign Up: If you want to help plan/facilitate this discussion, add your name! We’ll work with everyone to schedule a planning session.

 

Outcomes and impacts:

The feedback here was the most crucial as we began facilitation planning for our first learning session. This allowed the small-group learning session planning committee to consider the best activities and format to address the goals.

Learning Session 1: Models, Practices, and Progress in Centering Racial Equity in Statewide Food System Plans (March 3, 2023)
Objective:

Participants will: Explore models, practices, and progress in centering racial equity in statewide food system plans; Assess our roles in addressing racial and structural inequities through our respective food systems plans or statewide and regional efforts.

Description:

The SARE PDP Learning CoP is designed to facilitate sharing among colleagues working to foster local/regional food systems throughout the North Central Region, especially through the development and/or implementation of collaborative statewide food systems plans or Charters. As we begin our Learning Session Series, we start with the foundational concept of addressing racial equity in our food systems work.

In this session, we will hear from representatives from two north central states on the importance of shared language and practical approaches to racial equity and food sovereignty in a community-led effort.

The goals of this session are to help participants:

  • learn from and highlight challenges, opportunities, ideas to support our collective and individual efforts;
  • identify possible partnerships or opportunities for sharing and collaboration; and
  • contribute tools, resources, or other models we can build from.

Prior to the meeting, we asked participants to share their story using this form. We provided an example and had one additional member share their own. Those are linked below in the outcomes section.

Outcomes and impacts:

This session has yet to take place, but we wanted to share the plan. Attached meeting materials will help provide context.

Educational & Outreach Activities

1 Consultations
4 Curricula, factsheets or educational tools
3 Webinars / talks / presentations
1 Other educational activities: Learning Session Planning Meeting (Facilitation Preparation for first Learning Session)

Participation Summary:

7 Extension
3 Researchers
14 Nonprofit
2 Agency
5 Ag service providers (other or unspecified)
5 Farmers/ranchers
5 Others

Project Outcomes

33 New working collaborations
Project outcomes:

The primary focus of the project thus far has been to create the Planning Committee, engage in a collaborative process to identify shared learning outcomes, and plan for a series of four learning sessions led or co-led by members of the Committee, which will be open to other colleagues in our respective states. 

In our logic model, we emphasized knowledge, action and conditions outcomes, some of which have happened or begun:

  • Share promising practices from state food charters
  • Learn and share promising practices for the development of statewide/regional food charters or food system plans
  • Explore how to prioritize racial equity in their food system plans; Increase engagement in developing a racial equity lens approach with their work
  • Learn what priorities farmers identify as most impactful for their businesses and communities over the next 5-10 years; Ensure that state food system plans take into consideration farmers' priorities

Our first two full Committee meetings allowed CoP members to broadly share their experiences on a set of topics related to the development of food systems plans and local/regional food systems in general, as well as learn what farmers from 7 of the 12 states prioritize as key to the development and viability of local/regional farm businesses. 

5 Farmers reached through participant's programs
Additional Outcomes:

When we received this grant in the fall of 2021, we did not anticipate several challenges that significantly slowed our progress to establish the Community of Practice, collaboratively set learning goals, and implement our cooperative learning plan. These challenges are as follows:

  • In late 2021, CRFS Director Rich Pirog announced his transition out of his role. This required a shifting of staff responsibilities throughout our Center and resulted in a large draw on staff capacity as we put together our national search for a new director. An additional full-time staff person transitioned to a new position elsewhere in 2022, as well.
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic still posed significant limitations to in-person meetings, so our initial plan to meet in-person to connect with the 12-state planning team transitioned to fully online. We adjusted by planning to host our second Learning Session in conjunction with the Michigan Good Food Summit in May of 2023 which will allow a hybrid model (some in person and some virtual) and for folks to attend the Michigan Good Food Summit, which will also be hybrid.
  • Organizing times for food systems leaders from 12 states to meet has proven to be an additional challenge. While we have done our best to work out a plan that accommodates having at least one person from each state present, it did slow our progress to getting started and keeping the momentum going. Members have been very understanding and encouraging, indicating their continued interest in establishing this CoP.

Please note that as a result of our slower start, our first learning session has not taken place. This is why we have not yet evaluated learning outcomes. This first session is scheduled for March 3, 2023. The second learning session is scheduled for May 18, and we will soon begin scheduling the third and fourth sessions to take place between July and September. The first three meetings were more focused on outreach and development of the Community of Practice and thus were not directly evaluated. We plan to evaluate these additional sessions in the summative evaluation.

Recommendations:

It would be so helpful to have a .csv upload or allow an excel upload for the list of cooperators. Our planning committee got bigger than we initially expected (due to having alternates for each state). It has been great to have the variety of members, but it did take a long time to input them all in the repeater fields! Just a technology thought! 

Information Products

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.