Sustainable agriculture in Virginia and North Carolina: a multi-state assessment of the economic, social and political context

2009 Annual Report for LS08-206

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2008: $155,481.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Jonah Fogel
University of Virginia

Sustainable agriculture in Virginia and North Carolina: a multi-state assessment of the economic, social and political context

Summary

In 2009 the project team conducted six case studies throughout the study region. This work task sought to refine the understanding of “context” by relating experiences of community residents to the sustainable local food system literature. Each case study included a survey instrument and focus group of local food system actors. Case study findings are being used to guide the development of a descriptive model of ‘contextual suitability’ of the study region to support community food systems, and by association sustainable agriculture.

Objectives/Performance Targets

  1. 1.Identify six case study communities
    2.Identify survey and potential focus group populations in each case study site
    3.Design and implement a survey instrument to assess community perceptions of contextual suitability
    4.Design and implement focus group process to synthesize literature, survey findings, and expectations for future desired conditions
    5.Analyze case study findings to determine criteria and metrics for contextual suitability model

Accomplishments/Milestones

This research took place in six geographical regions (three in North Carolina and three in Virginia), including the areas surrounding: Richmond, Va; Harrisonburg, Va; Abingdon, Va; Willmington, NC; Durham, NC; and Linclon, NC. State extension personnel and community contacts from the target regions provided amendments and suggestions to the study region boundaries.
A survey instrument was developed and implemented. The survey was both web-based and available in paper copy. Survey respondents self-selected to participate in the study. Email invitations to complete the survey were sent to community food system actors in each target community. Local food promotion and action organizations were identified in each target region. Extension agents also contributed to the contact list production. Researchers also attended several farmers’ markets in each target community and administered the survey via paper copy. Farmers’ markets were thought to be especially important because both local food advocates, consumers, and producers interact. Survey findings were compiled and analyzed within target communities and across target communities to better understand how food system actors percevied their food system and how target communities differ.
In the months following survey completion, a focus group was held within each study region to better understand how food system actors perceived how contextual factors influence their ability to develop a sustainable community food system. An effort was made to create a diverse mix of community food system actors in each target community, including: food producers, food consumers, food activists, food processors, and food distributors.
Focus group participants were identified, in part, through in-person solicitation during the survey administration and through local social networks. Selection of participants was based on the subjects’ interest in participating in the focus group, knowledge of community food system issues, and feedback from regional Extension personnel. Household consumers, due to their numbers, were randomly selected from the survey participants who expressed an interest in attending a focus group session.
Focus groups consisted of a series of group exercises and facilitated conversations. Specific questions were derived from survey findings and address the perceived impact of public policies, economic factors, and social structures on the development of their community’s food system. Focus group data is being analyzed (early 2010) and will be used in the creation of a suitability model for community food systems.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Through this project community food system stakeholders had the opportunity to network with other members of their food system. Such networks provide opportunities to increase ‘social capital,’ networking, business relationships, and information about business prospects. The focus groups provided participants several opportunities for useful knowledge acquisition. All information collected for this project is being used to develop a new web resource entitled the Community Food System Explorer (www.cfse.ext.vt.edu). The web site includes a web based mapping resource that includes over 170 data layers for each state in the study. Such information could be used in the future to help create successful business models, identify under-utilized infrastructures, and support key community stakeholders.
The information resources being developed for this project are just beginning to understand how to improve the robustness and sustainability metrics that can help policy makers, community organizers, and food system entrepreneurs to target specific changes to better their food systems. Increasing the quality of food system networks, both social and business based, will contribute to regional economic development and increase in social capital. Moreover, strengthening community food systems will contribute to increased environmental stewardship by encouraging local, sustainable food production while also decreasing the ‘carbon footprint’ of producers and consumers.

Collaborators:

Mary Catherine Barganier

bmary79@vt.edu
Graduate Research Associate
Virginia Tech
2300 Fox Hunt Ln. NW Apt. L
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Nicole Sitko

nsitko@vt.edu
Graduate Research Assisant
Virginia Tech
1249 Francis Ave
Halethorpe, MD 21227
Office Phone: 7037068138
Michelle Eley

mleley@ncat.edu
Community & Economic Dev. Specialist
North Carolina A&T University
P O Box 21828
Greensboro, NC 27420-1928
Office Phone: 3363347915
Susan Jakes

susan_jakes@ncsu.edu
Extension Specialist
North Carolina State University
Box 7605 NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27695-7605
Office Phone: 9195159161
Steve Smutko

steve_smutko@ncsu.edu
Extension Policy Specialist
North Carolina State University
Box 8109 North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8109
Office Phone: 9195154683
Seb Prohn

seb.prohn@corps2003.tfanet.org
Graduate Research Assistant
North Carolina State University
Box 8109 NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27605
Office Phone: 9194554343