Marshview Community Organic Farms - Young Farmers of the Lowcountry

Project Overview

CS08-065
Project Type: Sustainable Community Innovation
Funds awarded in 2008: $9,700.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: Southern
State: South Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Sara Reynolds
Marshview Comunity Organic Farm

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: youth education
  • Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture

    Proposal abstract:

    The funding will be used to assist a 501C3 organization whose goal is to incorporate an organic CSA into the community. For the Youth, the project will help to instill entrepreneurial skills by introducing the concepts of markets, pricing, and supply and demand. The project will promote self-sufficiency, increase problem solving, as well as constructive communication and team building skills. Ultimately, the young people will be enabled with confidence to undertake life's challenges. For the CSA Members: Adults are able to have access to a garden and are able to get in touch with their community and local food production. Adults are given an opportunity to interact with the youth while working in a pleasant environment. Through the CSA, the farm and the community will share the abundance and shortfalls associated with farming. The CSA will be an educational opportunity for all involved to become more connected to our food supply and all of the true costs and benefits of agriculture.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    1. Provide adult leadership and training to youth residing in a low income area on St. Helena Island. The areas to be focused on are:
    a. Work ethic/self management (such as punctuality, reliability, and honesty)
    b. Personal qualities/team cohesiveness (including taking initiative, helping the group succeed, dealing effectively with conflict, valuing diversity, and being courteous to customers)
    c. Food production/marketing (growing and harvesting produce, cooking, nutrition, making and following a plan, tracking sales, and setting up displays).
    2. Supply organic produce to the community through a CSA.
    3. Involve adults who would not normally have any interaction with the Farm and the youth who are being trained as part of the Marshview Community Organic Farm effort.
    4. Provide an economically viable alternative for landowners who are under pressure to sell their land for development as second homes.

    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.