Agricultural Community Support Across Boundaries

Project Overview

CS04-027
Project Type: Sustainable Community Innovation
Funds awarded in 2004: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2006
Region: Southern
State: North Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Tom Elmore
Land-of-Sky Regional Council

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Crop Production: agroforestry, forestry
  • Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, networking, workshop, technical assistance
  • Farm Business Management: feasibility study, agricultural finance, market study
  • Production Systems: holistic management, transitioning to organic
  • Sustainable Communities: infrastructure analysis, new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation, urban/rural integration, employment opportunities, social capital, social networks, sustainability measures, community development

    Proposal abstract:

    Problem In our region, agriculture is stressed by changing markets and land development. We are not maximizing collaborative opportunities to serve farm communities because talented and creative people – and existing support services – are often separated by professional, organizational and political boundaries. Solution Assemble a working group representing a variety of professions, organizations and political perspectives to focus on collaborative projects that will directly benefit our agricultural communities.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Goal One: Provide a setting where creative community and agricultural leaders can work across boundaries.
    • Objective 1-1: Assemble a diverse and cooperative working group.
    • Objective 1-2: Host a series of meetings to explore problems and opportunities.

    Goal Two: Identify projects related to strategic issues.
    • Objective 2-1: Assemble background information.
    • Objective 2-2: Reach agreement on a vision of “agricultural sustainability.”
    • Objective 2-3: Systematically examine the issues surrounding agricultural sustainability.
    • Objective 2-4: Select the most promising projects for implementation.

    Goal Three: Conduct outreach to test the strategic concepts.
    • Objective 3-1: Hold a workshop for policy makers.
    • Objective 3-2: Obtain feedback from area communities.
    • Objective 3-3: Prepare and publicize a project report.

    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.