Building Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development along the Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina

Building Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development along the Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina

Summary

With the implementation of this project, McIntosh SEED pursued regional planning activities to address sustainable agrigultural and community development efforts. This project increased linkages between the farmers and supplier and increased public awareness of the benefits of sustainable farming. This project meshed rural communities with sustainable agriculture and community development in order to enhance both the economic and ecological aspects of the region.

Objectives/Performance Targets

This project’s objects and performance targets are as listed:
-Solicit participation for a Food Systems Working Group
-Develop a Regional Strategic Food System Plan
-Increase the current network of 20 farmers to build local food system
-Develop a community kitchen to support entrepreneurship efforts
-Establish a “locally grown” marketing campaign that celebrates the region’s unique cultural heritage
-Increase public awareness of the benefits
-Develop community gardens

Accomplishments/Milestones

With the implementation of the this project, McIntosh SEED accomplished the following:

-Developed two (2) community gardens
-Increased the farmers network
-Strengthened the local food system
-Developed a food system working group
-Created markets for farmers
-Implemented a farmers market
-Developed value-added products

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

With the implementation of this project, McIntosh SEED had the following impact:

-Created additional markets for farmers
-Increased farmers income
-Increased community’s access to locally grown food
-Increased low-wealth community’s ability to access healthy food through the implementation of the EBT program
-Created jobs
-Trained youth in agricultural and leadership skills

Collaborators: