local foods advisory committee
DESCRIPTION
Presentation given on 8-28-2014 to Cooperative Extension's Local Foods Committee.TRANSCRIPT
Local Foods advisory committeeNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension August 28th, 2014
What does Cooperative Extension do????
• “Empower people and provide solutions”
• We are the link between the research at the University and its practical application on the ground.
• Its our job to help find the answers.
• Help you tell your story.
Our 4 goals during a time of change
• Define and focus our most competitive and needed programs
• Strengthen our impacts and value to the citizens, the counties, and North Carolina
• Create financial flexibility to align our resources to priorities
• Develop a staffing model that aligns to our new fiscal reality, provides competitive salaries, and strengthens our workforce capacity and value.
Current Priorities in Transylvania County• Farm production issues
• Respond to consumer questions
• Small business development/ investigating new markets
• Our farmers market
• Grants (Ag Options, USDA, TVA, NRCS, ect.)
• Presentations to groups (Master Gardeners, Youth Camps, Schools, Non-profits, etc.)
• Pollinator conservation
• Hunger awareness?
What we’re asking
• Help Cooperative Extension’s local foods program focus on the needs of this community
• Be an advocate for Cooperative Extension
• Assist with the execution of the goals we create
• Provide feedback and constructive criticism on how we’re doing
• Meet 3-4 times a year.
What is your definition of local?
A. Transylvania County
B. North CarolinaC. Within 50-100
milesD. Within 100-200
milesE. From ‘Merikuh
Transy
lvania County
North Caro
lina
With
in 50-100 mile
s
With
in 100-200 mile
s
From ‘M
erikuh
17%
8%
0%
17%
58%
What type of work do you do?A. Farming- livestockB. Farming- Fruit and
veggie productionC. Farming- Row
cropsD. Farm Support-
GovernmentalE. Farm support-
Non-profit/ privateFa
rming- li
vestock
Farm
ing- Fru
it and ve
ggi...
Farm
ing- Row cr
ops
Farm
Support-
Governm...
Farm
support-
Non-pro
fit...
54%
8% 8%
31%
0%
What time works best for you to meet?
A. Early mornings (with Breakfast)
B. Mid dayC. After work
(5:30ish) D. Weekends
Early m
ornings
(with
Br...
Mid day
After work
(5:30ish
)
Weeke
nds
92%
0%8%
0%
I am willing to pay $3.00 for breakfast
A.TrueB.False
True
False
0%
100%
My favorite college football team is:
A. NCSU Wolfpack!!!
B. I hate freedom
NCSU
Wolfp
ack!!!
I hate
freedom
67%
33%
What are your major barriers to success?
• Heavy pest pressure?
• Access to consistent markets?
• Market saturation?
• Access to credit/ capital?
• Poor communication/ collaboration between groups?
• ????
What kind of projects would you like to see CES focus on?
• Crop Mob?
• Assisting the farmers market with expansion?
• Improving collaborations with private industry?
• Grant opportunities?
• Small business management?
• Improving collaboration among farmers?
• Food insecurity/ hunger awareness?
• Ag breakfasts?
• Livestock workshops (fencing, vaccinations, FAMACHA, meat processing)?
• ????