Legacy's United Farmers, Communities and Urban Food deserts

View the project final report

Commodities

• Vegetables: greens (leafy), okra, peppers, tomatoes

Practices

• Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses, irrigation, organic fertilizers, water management
• Education and Training: demonstration, mentoring, study circle, youth education
• Farm Business Management: agritourism, community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets/farm stands, value added
• Pest Management: physical control
• Production Systems: dryland farming
• Sustainable Communities: analysis of personal/family life, community development, community services, employment opportunities, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, urban agriculture

Our proposal was to collaborate with farmers and use their unique practices to educate, produce and provide a system that will increase the availability of whole foods and its use in food deserts. Techniques used included:

• Website utilizing social media to connect communities with local farmers and markets.
• Farmers teaching farming techniques to create local produce and business opportunities (CSA) in food deserts.
• Local Chefs demonstrating food preparation and menus to increase use of whole foods and the importance of its nutritional benefits to curb obesity, lower High blood pressure, and increase mental awareness and overall general health.
• Community partners will include local churches, schools, 4-H, Purdue Master Gardeners and other organizations.

Techniques planned but changed due to Covid included:

• Farmers will develop farmers market and CSA programs with local communities with collaboration with Farm group to coordinate refrigerated trailer to deliver available produce from each farmer through use of computer network and social media. Along with training communities/youth with hands-on experience of a local farm business and practices to show growth and business opportunities in agriculture.
• Farming techniques include High tunnel, Naturally grown, Organic, and Aquaponics practices.

2019 was greatly impacted by weather (rain) and road construction, however the youth in each location greatly increased their desire to learn more about agriculture.

2020: Was a year of COVID, world-shutdowns, business closures, food supply chain disruption and great opportunities. Legacy had to reinvent our way of business to address the no-contact/shut down society and the need to access food. Virtual training was increased, Food box programs were initiated which led to the development of a CSA program app.

1. Utilize Website and Social media to connect farmer and community, share information, products and locations.
2. To provide locally fresh produce and increase it's consumption in communities designated as food deserts.
3. To educate communities and youth on different farming techniques that can be utilized in Urban Farms and gardens.
4. To educate communities and youth of the nutritional values of eating whole food and health benefits.
5. Encourage the communities and youth to participate in CSA, Diet and Health challenges.