Community Farm and Food Project Phase I - Assessing Needs and Building Partnerships

Community Farm and Food Project Phase I - Assessing Needs and Building Partnerships

Summary

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) is a non-profit organization that preserves the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, local farmland and scenic beauty of the mountains of North Carolina and east Tennessee for the benefit of present and future generations. In 2009, SAHC was donated a 100-acre working farm (the property) located in Alexander, NC – about 15 minutes drive time from the city of Asheville, NC and surrounded by significant farming communities of Buncombe County. As an organization that has built strong relationships with agricultural communities and supporting agencies in Buncombe County and beyond, SAHC plans to utilize this property to address some of the needs of the region as discussed below.

Even though there is a thriving sustainable agriculture movement in WNC, there are certain shortfalls in the system where needs are not being met and some groups remain underserved: 1.) Although there is much interest in sustainable agriculture among youth and young adults in the area, the burdens a new farmer faces in beginning an agricultural enterprise often prevent those interested from going into the field. 2)Even though there is an abundance of sustainably and locally produced food in the WNC region, there is a large percentage of the population that cannot access this healthy food. 3) Also, many farmers in the region that have traditionally relied on conventional markets can no longer afford to make a living off their land – exacerbating the conversion of farmland to development at the expense of the rural communities in which the land is located.

With this grant, SAHC aims to build support for a community farm and food project at its farm in Alexander, North Carolina – engaging and benefitting the local agricultural and rural area. SARE funds are to be used to assess the needs of surrounding agricultural and rural communities, evaluate the feasibility of three potential community farm models for this particular property, and build partnerships with the appropriate people and organizations to support the project. There are three potential community farm models that SAHC is considering for this project, and each would serve to enhance sustainable agriculture and rural communities in the county – 1) an agricultural business incubator for new and beginning farmers 2) an agricultural-based job and life skills training center for youth and young adults of low income and rural communities 3) a demonstration site for an innovative agricultural product with a niche market for farmers.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The following objectives and tasks were set for the Project Manager (PM) to accomplish during the term of this grant (January – December 2012):

1) Assess the needs of agricultural and rural communities in Buncombe County:
A) Perform research on important issues that rural and agricultural communities in Buncombe are facing and that are related to this project.
B) Engage stakeholders and gain input on the project at the WNC Farmland Access and Preservation
Forum.

2) Evaluate the feasibility of three potential community farm projects to be hosted at the property:
A) Perform research on the three community farm project models under consideration, including existing successful projects in North Carolina or other states. Make contact with existing community farms to explore what it takes to operate each one.
B) Perform site visits to existing successful community farm projects to assess infrastructure, staffing, and other operational needs for each.
C) Perform an analysis of the land features on SAHC’s property that will affect the community farm project. Analyze soils, topography, availability of tillable land, water availability, existing infrastructure, and other factors. Determine farm improvement and infrastructure needs that each community farm project will require.
D) Create a draft farm and financial plan for each potential community farm project. This will be based on the information acquired from the previous three steps. Plans for each potential project will summarize the infrastructure, staffing, operational, and financial requirements for each and will guide SAHC during the implementation phase of the project.

3) Build sound partnerships with appropriate people and organizations to gain support for the community farm project:
A) Continue to develop potential partnerships with contacts that SAHC has already made at certain organizations.
B) Perform research on other potential partners for each community farm project. This will include research into the organizations and agencies that are working on similar agricultural and rural issues in the region and how they might benefit from assisting with this project.
C) As a leader of the WNC Farmland Access and Preservation Forum, make contacts with other potential partners for each project.
D) Develop clear language and materials for introducing the project to potential partners. This step will correspond with the outreach aspect of the grant requirements – both will aid in building strategic partnerships for support of the project.

4) Pursue one of the three community farm projects at the property (based on outcomes from the first three objectives): By the end of this grant period, SAHC aims to have the tools and resources necessary to implement one of the three community farm projects. First steps for implementation will include:
A) Finalize the farm, financial, and operations plans for the chosen project. These plans will guide the implementation process of the chosen project.
B) Assess additional staffing needs to implement the project. Can current staff and existing partnerships fulfill the requirements to get the project off the ground, or is additional staff needed?
C) If possible, convene a committee of all the partners to guide the implementation process.
D) Create an action plan for implementation of the project. The action plan will guide the next phase of the project.

Accomplishments/Milestones

As of the end of March 2012, the Project Manager (PM) has made the following accomplishments corresponding to each objective and task:

1) Assess the needs of agricultural and rural communities in Buncombe County:
A) The PM has gathered information from recent studies on food insecurity in Buncombe County and WNC. The PM has analyzed data provided by the USDA’s Food Desert Locator to assess which local
communities have the least amount of access to fresh and local food. The PM is also an active member of the newly formed Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council – assisting in the Food Access, Land Use Policy and Asset Mapping clusters. The goal of the Asset Mapping and Food Access clusters is to identify sources of local, fresh food and their distribution points as well as local communities that are unable to access those sources – ultimately finding gaps in the system. The process will also entail identifying organizations and agencies that are already working locally to fill some of these gaps. Much of the research needed for this objective in relation to the second potential farm project listed above will be provided through the Food Policy Council cluster meetings.

Additionally, the PM has been attending the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board meetings as well as Cooperative Extension’s Buncombe County Agricultural Breakfasts. At these gatherings, the PM has networked with local Extension agents, agricultural leaders, and local farmers to gather information on farm viability issues and how SAHC’s project might help serve some of those issues. These gatherings have proven to be invaluable in researching the needs of local farmers and how an incubator or demonstration farm might help serve some of those needs.

B) The PM assisted Blue Ridge Forever and NC Cooperative Extension (NCCE) in the planning and implementation of the WNC Farmland Access and Preservation Forum on December 9, 2011. Overall the Forum was a success – there were over 50 attendees including farmers, legislative representatives, Farm Bureau representatives and staff from numerous regional agricultural support organizations. Current farm viability and farmland access issues were discussed. The PM assisted in leading a break-out session on incubator farms in the region. The PM was able to network with staff of other organizations that were either in the process of developing an incubator farm or were investigating the idea of an incubator farm. Local farmers were also in the session and gave their valuable input on the issues that an incubator farm should address. This was a very useful opportunity for the PM’s research on incubator farms and whether or not SAHC’s site would be ideal for that project. The PM was also able to introduce SAHC’s site and project to all of the stakeholders that attended and gather input from them. Blue Ridge Forever and SAHC aim to hold another Forum later in 2012.

2) Evaluate the feasibility of three potential community farm projects to be hosted at the property:
A) The PM has researched two established incubator farms in the region – the Elma C. Lomax Incubator in Cabarrus County, NC and the Maverick Farms’ Farm Incubator and Grower Initiative (FIG) in Valle Crucis, NC. The PM has been in contact with managers of both farms (David Goforth of Cabarrus County Extension and Hillary Wilson of FIG) and has received valuable resources pertaining to the start-up and operations of each farm. The PM has also researched the NC Mountain Mushroom Cooperative as well as the Foothills Family Farms Cooperative and has been in contact with managers Rodney Webb and Casey McKissick while attending the Organic Growers School Conference on March 3rd and 4th. The PM has also completed phone conversations with the coordinator (Liz Kenton) of University of Vermont Cooperative Extension’s Youth Agriculture Project – a farm providing agricultural based job skills training for disadvantaged youth. The PM plans to continue researching additional established community farm models.

B) The PM visited the Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm in Cabarrus County, NC on February 29, 2012 with NCCE agents from Buncombe, Madison, Yancey and Avery counties of WNC. The PM met the farm manager David Goforth, toured the farm, assessed farm infrastructure and equipment, and gathered information on the operations and financial aspects of running the farm. The PM plans to visit other established community farms in the coming months.

C) Using GIS mapping technology, the PM has created several maps of the farm including soils map, topographic map, a map depicting land cover types (forest, pasture, riparian areas, etc…), and maps depicting existing infrastructure (fencing, water sources, buildings, etc…). The PM is in the process of working with USDA NRCS to create a Grazing Plan Plan for the existing pastures on the property, is working with NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) on a Forest Stewardship Plan for the property, and is working with Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District (BCSWCD) on a plan to update the current livestock watering facilities on the property. These plans will help guide the PM in analyzing the best use for the property. Most of the land on the farm is sloped, so the PM has completed visits to the property with local NCCE agent Melinda Roberts to assess the availability of tillable land on the farm to determine what type of agricultural operation would be best. The PM has also begun to create maps of the infrastructure improvements that will be needed at the farm for each potential community farm project.

D) The PM has begun to create draft farm plans for each of the three potential farm projects and to collect information on infrastructure, staffing, operational and financial requirements from existing farms.

3) Build sound partnerships with appropriate people and organizations to gain support for the community farm project:
A) The PM has continued to work closely with NCCE agents on development of this project. The PM has worked closely with Buncombe and Madison County agents Melinda Roberts and Jennifer Beck in planning for the farm. This includes what operation would best suit the farm, research into the potential for an incubator farm at the site, and potential educational workshops that could be held at the farm. The PM has also continued to work with local NRCS agent Loring McIntyre and BCSWD conservationist Anthony Dowdle on a Conservation Plan for the property, which will help aid the PM in infrastructure and management planning for the farm. On February 14, 2012, the PM met with several professors of Haywood Community College to explore a potential partnership with the school in developing an educational or incubator farm at SAHC’s site. The PM has also maintained contact with Organic Growers School Director Meredith McKissick on a potential partnership for an incubator or educational farm.

B & C) The PM has researched and made successful contact with additional potential partners for this farm project including members of the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Warren Wilson College and University of North Carolina-Asheville. The PM has scheduled meetings with staff from each of these organizations to discuss the project further.

D) The PM will work on language and outreach materials for the project in the coming months.

4) First steps for implementation of one of the three community farm projects:
A) To be completed in the coming months.
B) To be completed in the coming months.
C) To be completed in the coming months.
D) To be completed in the coming months.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The following are a list of outcomes that correspond to each completed objective and task discussed above:

1) Assess the needs of agricultural and rural communities in Buncombe County:
The PM’s preliminary research into the needs of local farmers has determined the following:
Among farmers and farmer support groups – an incubator farm as well as a type of land-linking tool between new and retiring farmers were identified as a high priority for the area. Many established farmers hire apprentices that eventually would like to farm on their own. Many of the established farmers find it difficult to help the apprentices find land to do this. Also, there are many established farmers that have been farming on leased land for several years and are unable to find affordable land of their own. Contacts with Organic Growers School and NCCE have found that those organizations are currently working on developing a land-link tool, which would fit in nicely with the service of an incubator farm. No organizations within Buncombe County are establishing an incubator farm, though there is one being developed in Valle Crucis – several counties away in the NW part of the state.

Research also found that the development of a demonstration farm for a niche product or to open up a new market would also be very helpful to local farmers as competition within farmers’ markets and for CSA shares continues to increase. However, there are already several organizations with demonstration farms working to develop new local markets for farmers including hops and other brewers’ grains, shiitake mushrooms, winter greens, and biodiesel crops among others. There are also two established research/demonstration farms run by NCCE in the area. Further research is needed on this subject, as well as research into the potential for SAHC to partner with one of these organizations on their projects. The need for a regional beef processing plant was also found to be a high priority among producers of local beef products; however, SAHC’s site would probably not be ideal for this type of facility. More research is needed.

2) Evaluate the feasibility of three potential community farm projects to be hosted at the property:
During the visit to the Cabarrus County incubator farm, the PM learned several factors that would affect the feasibility of developing an incubator at SAHC’s site: an incubator farm would require large support from county government or other local entity and/or significant grant funds, educational programs at the
incubator would require at least one half to full-time Extension agent, there would need to be at least a half- time farm manager, and the incubator would require a fairly extensive irrigation system plus large equipment.

In speaking with representatives of organizations already working to develop niche products and markets, it was found that there would need to be a significant relationship with NCCE to find the right product and to develop the market. Much of what was found to be needed locally was not necessarily a new product, but the facilities to process beef products or other value-added products. These would all require significant infrastructure improvements and buildings on SAHC’s site, as well as significant staff additions to develop the facility and run it through the proper certifications.

In speaking with Liz Kenton of the job skills training farm for disadvantaged youth in Vermont, the PM found that a similar such project at SAHC’s site would require at least one full-time coordinator, one full-time farm manager, several interns, consistent grant funding from year to year, at least one acre of food production, and some support from NCCE. From other research into this type of community farm, the PM found most examples to be run either by an Extension office or by a non-profit organization dedicated just to the farm and fundraising for its youth education programs, not by an organization that runs the farm as one of its many programs or projects. A project like this may prove to be difficult for SAHC to find the staff and funding capacity in addition to the significant programs it already administers.

Preliminary mapping of SAHC’s farm has shown that most of the soils and topography on the property are ideal for grazing, orchard or berry production, hay production, and some row crop production. The small amount of flat land on the property may make it difficult for larger-scale production of row crops, although there is some gently sloping land that could be utilized. There would need to be an addition of an irrigation system for row crops as well. There is significant infrastructure for livestock production including corrals, squeeze shoot, cross fencing, water sources, and barns – although there will need to be several repairs and updates. Also, a tractor and other large farm equipment will have to be purchased.

3) Build sound partnerships with appropriate people and organizations to gain support for the community farm project:
Partnership development with NCCE has proven to be the most helpful and valuable relationship for this project thus far. NCCE has confirmed that the organization would fully support establishment of an incubator farm and could commit to providing the educational resources to the new farmers. There is one staff member at NCCE that could work on an incubator farm project with SAHC. The PM has also established good working relationships with the local colleges and will work to develop these further as the farm project progresses. Gaining momentum with potential partners for a job skills training farm has proven to be more difficult, as SAHC would have to rely heavily on help from other organizations to accomplish this type of project. More research and networking is needed to develop these relationships further.

4) First steps for implementation of one of the three community farm projects: Milestones for this step are expected to be reached later in the project year.

Collaborators: