Innovative Urban Ag Conference

Project Overview

EDS23-055
Project Type: Education Only
Funds awarded in 2023: $50,000.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2025
Grant Recipient: The Sustainability Project
Region: Southern
State: Arkansas
Principal Investigator:
Kesha Cobb
Email
The Sustainability Project

Information Products

Website (Website)

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: conference
  • Sustainable Communities: urban agriculture

    Proposal abstract:

    The Innovative Urban Ag Project is an educational campaign that harnesses technology and the latest growing practices in urban agriculture and beyond to deliver higher food production in smaller spaces with a net zero carbon foot print as a goal. In tandem with this two year project, there will be an educational, interactive mobile app that keeps growers updated and engaged through the process of achieving this goal. To elevate the experience of the project, an annual conference will be held to bring it all together as a mecca of all things ag advancement.

    The Innovative Urban Ag Conference (IUAC) is a one day, power packed event that will encompass live, futuristic agriculture exhibits, educational workshops and one of a kind experiences that will expose agricultural producers and consumers to modern day practices and industry goals. Row croppers, small and underserved producers, low income community leaders and advocates, city and state officials, those focused on food security and young and beginning growers are targeted to attend and learn how they can be an active solution to localized food security in coordination with carbon sequestering agricultural practices. This conference will help establish, enhance, expand and build upon urban agriculture practices with modern technology and spur much needed partnerships. The prevalence and increase of food desserts and USDA low income/low access areas calls for an attainable change that can be delivered by vulnerable persons in vulnerable areas to heal and renew socioeconomic and food security issues.

     

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Conference - Provide opportunity, funding information, partnerships, education, and information

    Working plan-  Four virtual workshops held at one per quarter/season, to collect data and input, collaborate and establish priorities

    Mobile app launch- Launch educational app that will bridge connections and access growers in an innovative way to disseminate information

    Needs assessment- end of year needs assessment virtual workshop to contour working plan around for quality planning

    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.