Progress 05/15/09 to 05/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Goal 1: Improve Access: 1)FTS activities: a) Worked with 10 local food producers and 4 target school districts/yr. to provide assistance to producers and buyers with food availability listings and delivery options. In yrs. 2&3, districts purchased 30,367 lbs of locally grown food for 4,150 recipients in 15 schools. b) Promoted one-day, local demonstration meal events to regional school districts, to serve district-wide, local meals. In 2011 the Thanksgiving Meal featured 1,200 lbs of locally grown potatoes and root vegetables. c) Worked with food service directors (FSD) in three counties to use salad bars. During the 2011-2012 school year, the 9-R District purchased 13,092 lbs of fresh produce for their meal programs. d) Farm-to-School advertisements and promotional activities, including the use of the FTS logo on school-district wide school meal calendars in the 9-R and Ignacio school districts. e) Supported for 5 farmer-visits/yr. to Durango 9-R school classrooms, reaching 393 children and youth. 2) Wild and Gleaned food project: a) Led 118 field trips, workshops, school programs and events that reached 1,023 children and youth, 1436 adults, and 612 seniors. b) Gleaned 377 pounds of food, equaling an estimated value of $4,005. 221 pounds of the food harvested was then processed into value-added items such as crackers, juices, nutrition bars and snacks, equaling an estimated value of $1,940. 3) In years 2&3, covered the rental cost of the Durango Farmers Market EBT machine and distributed EBT information. Goal 2: Community Food Production and Better Nutrition. a) Worked with 1600 people (1500 youth and 100 adults ranging from pre-schoolers to seniors) and 21 organizations and agencies at 7 community garden sites. b) Established 6 new backyard gardens. 374 volunteers contributed 1320 hours of volunteer time to these projects. c) Established an after-school educational program, which served 12 kids in the fall of 2011, and 21 kids in the spring of 2012. d) Hosted a garden trainings and worshops including a Community Garden Training for 49 participants, which addressed the needs of 9 schools and community gardens. e) Partnered with Share Our Strengths Cooking Matters (CM) Program to support the cost of seasonal, local food (300 lbs of food/yr.) and the cost of farmers market tours for 200-250 financially disadvantaged families/yr. Goal 3: Networking, Policy and Beginning Farmer. a) Participated in the CO Food Policy Advisory Committee, CO State Farm-to-School Task Force, regional Food Shed meetings, and LiveWell state staff, CO Farm-to-School and a food systems EPA Climate Showcase project. b) Sponsored Apple Days, which in 2011 harvested over 5,000 pounds of apples and 2500 lbs of apples in 2012, and reached over 1,500 community members/yr. c) Hosted a Food Retreat for a min. of 110 community members/yr. d) Spearheaded the La Plata Food Policy Council. e) Supported 2 Fort Lewis College Food Fellows/yr. who each completed an 8-month fellowship program/yr. f) Helped to support 1 Beginning Farmer Program and 1 Backyard Food Production Course/yr. g) Supported a Farmer Apprenticeship training for a min. of 5 socially disadvantaged new farmers/yr. PARTICIPANTS: Growing Partners is a collaborative effort between seven service and non-profit organizations dedicated to implementing a sustainable local food program that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures. Each organization brings unique experience and qualifications to the partnership with well-defined responsibilities for implementing community food projects. Combined, the Growing Partners have over 60 years of experience providing a variety of services to low-income and other underserved populations. Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP) was established in 1966 by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. SUCAP provides human services in Ignacio, Colorado, to Native Americans and the broader community under six main categories: Head Start, Substance Abuse Treatment, Employment Training, Senior Citizens, Youth Services, and Public Transit. The Garden Project is a La Plata County non profit with the mission to build a healthier community through the facilitation of year-round educational and therapeutic garden programs and the promotion of our local food system. Cooking Matters works with low-income families to teach the basics of food budgeting, nutrition and cooking. CSU Extension in La Plata County works with beginning farmers and community members to increase local food production through leading trainings and workshops. Turtle Lake Refuge (TLR) works to create a more sustainable community by linking the value of a healthy internal environment with a healthy external environment by promoting eating locally grown foods, wild harvested foods, and living foods. Southwest Marketing Network SW Colorado Project (SWMN SWCP) is a demonstration project of the SWMN focusing for the last five years on rebuilding the local food system in SW Colorado. SWCP began a Food and Agriculture Policy Working Group and a successful Farm-to-School group which has been operating for over two years to tie local agriculture to the educational and nutritional needs of area schools. The Garden at Twin Buttes works with beginning farmers through an apprenticeship program to train burgeoning farmers in growing and marketing techniques. TARGET AUDIENCES: Low income, Latinos/as, Native Americans (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute), school age children, youth (teens), and seniors are the main target participants and beneficiaries for this project. Their needs identified in the La Plata County Food Assessment relate directly to project goals and objectives. Over the past two years, GP has worked hard to form alliances and relationships with key individuals and organizations representing our target participant populations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Southwest Colorado Food Equity and Access Community Food Project has contributed to greater, more equitable, healthy, local, affordable food access in La Plata County. On 6/15/2012, using the Growing Partners (GP), Community Food Project Outcome Assessment Plan, GP compiled evaluation materials of all project-based work completed to date. Each of the 8 GP project partners was asked to evaluate and share their annual-and-full-project impact, and state their goals for post grant work and sustainability. 1) Access: Three School Districts received useful information and made connections needed to begin and sustain a Farm-to-School program, provided children with healthy, local food options, and highlighted local foods in special meals for students, faculty and staff which raised awareness. Area schools marketed a FTS program in menus and calendars to raise awareness among families. Target populations began to learn how to access local sources of healthy food - There is now a fully-supported EBT Machine at Durango Farmers Market. More healthy, local food was distributed to those in need. Food Stamps Accepted now appears on the DFM website. 2) Community Food Production and Increased Nutrition: Increased numbers of the target population participated in growing their own food. New community and school gardens were started and maintained. Teachers were trained in how to start and maintain school garden programs. Students learned the benefits and techniques of growing vegetables and about the local food system. The general community learned about the local food system and the benefits of growing their own food. Target individuals and families learned how to access, buy and prepare quality, affordable, healthy, local food. Increased access to information on nutrition, food purchasing, preparation etc. 3) Networking, Policy and Beginning Farmer: The target population was involved in food system planning and policy development. Policy makers, producers, consumers were connected around food and food policy and planning issues - A Food Policy Council was started and will continue to meet. Target population learned about opportunities and support was available in gardening and farming. Beginning and aspiring farmers and gardeners received quality education, training and information - New Farmers are selling at the DFM: 2010: 3, 2011: 5, 2012: 5. GP developed a connection with a local land use expert who will work on supporting county practices and model lease arrangements. Also, by assisting the 9-R School District bid for more local products, GP hopes to showcase a concrete market for prospective and growing farmers since real quantities of food are listed. Students had an opportunity to study farm and food security issues.
Publications
- 1) Schild, Rebecca. 2011. Fort Lewis College Environmental Center Garden Handbook. 2) Dyer, Jim. 2011. Sustainable Food Choices" tool kit: http://www.healthycommunityfoodsystems.org/page6/page6.html. 3) Dyer, Jim. 2011. Wildlife-Friendly food systems toolkit for school garden coordinators: http://www.healthycommunityfoodsystems.org/page6/page6.html.
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Progress 05/15/10 to 05/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Goal 1 Improve Access GP worked with local food producers and 3 school districts to assist with connections. Three schools kept buyer listings in the local food guide. District 9R offered three days of local-source meals. Five farmer visits were held in Durango classrooms. The gleaning project harvested 186 pounds of food. The efforts partnered 79 community-based groups and reached 2,782 individuals, including 780 youth, 103 Food Stamp recipients, 179 school summer meal program participants, 625 seniors, 30 low income families, 210 Native Americans and 160 Latinos. The project created 11 new jobs and sold food to 20 retail outlets. The Alamo Street Neighborhood Garden was developed for multi-family use in a moderate income area. Apple Days Festival encourages use of apples and promotes the availability and affordability of regional wild and gleaned food. In October 2010, volunteers harvested over 5,000 pounds of apples and reached 1,500 community members. Forty individuals organized as a local food policy council chapter in southwest Colorado. Twelve Beginning Farmer participants presented agri-business plans. Four Farmer Apprentices were trained and three are now producing food. Goal 2 Empower Underserved Populations The gleaning and wild food component led a total of 63 field trips, workshops, school programs and events to encourage the use of local wild foods. The EBT machine operated at the Durango Farmer's Market throughout the 2010 season. Share Our Strength's local Cooking Matters program led low income families on tours of the farmers market. GP worked with over 1,600 people (1,100 youth and 500 adults) and 35 organizations at 7 community gardens, including 2 elementary school gardens, one at Durango City Hall and 2 backyard gardens in low income neighborhoods. Gardens generated over 1800 hours of volunteer time. GP staffed booths at 5 community events: FLC Barnyard Days, DHS Health Expo, Green Living Expo, Apple Days and the La Plata County Fair. A School Garden Training was held which addressed 9 school and community gardens and volunteers. Attendees received garden supplies, seeds, and the new School Garden Resource Guidebook. Cooking Matters served 200 persons with information on using local food for family dinners. GP hosted the third February Food Retreat, "Homegrown: Cultivating Your Role in the Local food System". 50 hours of student service time was donated to organize the event. Featured speaker was food system organizer and activist Mark Winne. Five workshops were held to educate and motivate participants to become active in local food policy. GP helped to support the development of statewide Farm to School and Food System Policy networks. GP presented at the FTS Summit and the FTS Task Force meeting. GP supported two Food Fellows who were FLC students. Each completed an 8-month internship working on GP projects and also created a campus community garden and a residence hall program to promote local food. The 2010 Beginning Farmer and Backyard Food Production courses served 44 La Plata County residents. Four Farmer Apprentices were trained; three are now producing food in La Plata County. PARTICIPANTS: Growing Partners is a collaborative effort between seven service and non-profit organizations dedicated to implementing a sustainable local food program that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures. Each organization brings unique experience and qualifications to the partnership with well-defined responsibilities for implementing community food projects. Combined, the Growing Partners have over 60 years of experience providing a variety of services to low-income and other underserved populations. Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP) was established in 1966 by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. SUCAP provides human services in Ignacio, Colorado, to Native Americans and the broader community under six main categories: Head Start, Substance Abuse Treatment, Employment Training, Senior Citizens, Youth Services, and Public Transit. The Garden Project is a La Plata County non profit with the mission to build a healthier community through the facilitation of year-round educational and therapeutic garden programs and the promotion of our local food system. Cooking Matters works with low-income families to teach the basics of food budgeting, nutrition and cooking. CSU Extension in La Plata County works with beginning farmers and community members to increase local food production through leading trainings and workshops. Turtle Lake Refuge (TLR) works to create a more sustainable community by linking the value of a healthy internal environment with a healthy external environment by promoting eating locally grown foods, wild harvested foods, and living foods. Southwest Marketing Network SW Colorado Project (SWMN SWCP) is a demonstration project of the SWMN focusing for the last five years on rebuilding the local food system in SW Colorado. SWCP began a Food and Agriculture Policy Working Group and a successful Farm-to-School group which has been operating for over two years to tie local agriculture to the educational and nutritional needs of area schools. The Garden at Twin Buttes works with beginning farmers through an apprenticeship program to train burgeoning farmers in growing and marketing techniques. TARGET AUDIENCES: Low income, Latinos/as, Native Americans (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute), school age children, youth (teens), and seniors are the main target participants and beneficiaries for this project. Their needs identified in the La Plata County Food Assessment relate directly to project goals and objectives. Over the past two years, GP has worked hard to form alliances and relationships with key individuals and organizations representing our target participant populations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The gleaning and wild foods project harvested 186 pounds of food. The efforts partnered with 79 community-based groups and organizations and reached 2,782 targeted individuals, including 780 youth, 103 Food Stamp recipients, 179 school summer meal program participants, 625 seniors, 30 low income families, 210 Native Americans and 160 Latinos. Also in this program year, the project created 11 new jobs and sold food to 20 restaurants and retail markets The Alamo Street Neighborhood Garden was developed for multi-family use in a moderate income neighborhood. Apple Days Festival celebrates the abundance of the apple in La Plata County, to encourage consumption and use and to promote the availability and affordability of regional wild and gleaned food sources. In October 2010, the festival volunteers harvested over 5,000 pounds of apples and reached of 1,500 community members Forty individuals organized themselves as a local food policy council chapter in southwest Colorado. This group continues to meet and address policy issues as they arise at both the city and county level. Twelve Beginning Farmer program completers developed and presented local agri-business plans. Four Farmer Apprentices were trained and three are producing food in La Plata County.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 05/15/09 to 05/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Worked with local food producers and 3 target school districts to provide assistance to producers and buyers with food availability listings and delivery options. Helped schools promote the Farm-to-School program. Prepared a list of potential school-agricultural producer partners and sent producers on that list farm tour request form. Created a web-based resource listing farms who offer farm tours to schools. Completed a school farm tour. Solicited schools with school gardens to invite Farm-to-School speakers to their sites. Established a gleaning and wild food project that reached 10 target agencies and over 500 individuals (including over 300 youth participants). Coordinated the Homegrown Harvest Apple Festival in October of 2009, which gleaned over 4,000 pounds of apples and reached over 1,500 community members. Facilitated a Community Garden Training. Worked with approximately 1,300 people in garden and planning meetings. Hosted regular garden programs at 3 community garden sites. Supported a new community garden plan for Ignacio. Organized multiple meetings to start a local community integration garden project. Offered technical assistance to support two elementary school garden projects. Attended school garden committee and planning meetings. Hosted a school garden coordinator training. Initiated the planning for a garden cooperative project. Selected one target family, out of 90 applicants, and provided them with a free backyard garden. The 400 square-foot garden was installed in June of 2009. Partnered with Share Our Strength to help purchase a 20-week local farm CSA share and use that food in cooking-demonstration classes. Held a Fall Sustainability Dialogue with 32 people in attendance. Held the Food Collaborative retreat in February 2010 with 33 total participants from different sectors of the food system. Worked to address various beginning/growing farmer and food security and policy issues, including work on the La Plata County Comprehensive Plan; preparation and presentation of a food status report to the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners; and work on a state-wide Colorado Food Systems Policy Council and Bill. Developed a list of food system goals for the City of Durango local Climate Action Plan and worked on a climate friendly food storage plan for producers and consumers. Supported two local Fort Lewis College student food fellows. Helped support a beginning farmer class series with 28 total students, of which 18 developed and presented local, agri-business plans. Developed an outline for a locally-customized farmer apprenticeship program to provide training for 3 La Plata County residents in ecological agricultural production techniques. Created and maintained a web-based, land-link information and networking page as a local resource. Dissemination An Annual Report, via the postal system, to 26 key regional project stakeholders. Two electronic editions of a regional local food newsletter; winter of 2009 and spring of 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Growing Partners is a collaborative effort between seven service and non-profit organizations dedicated to implementing a sustainable local food program that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures. Each organization brings unique experience and qualifications to the partnership with well-defined responsibilities for implementing community food projects. Combined, Growing Partners have over 60 years of experience providing a variety of services to low-income and other underserved populations. Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP) was established in 1966 by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. SUCAP provides human services in Ignacio, Colorado, to Native Americans and the broader community under six main categories: Head Start, Substance Abuse Treatment, Employment Training, Senior Citizens, Youth Services, and Public Transit. The Garden Project is a La Plata County non profit with the mission to build a healthier community through the facilitation of year-round educational and therapeutic garden programs and the promotion of our local food system. Cooking Matters works with low-income families to teach the basics of food budgeting, nutrition and cooking. CSU Extension in La Plata County works with beginning farmers and community members to increase local food production through leading trainings and workshops. Turtle Lake Refuge (TLR) works to create a more sustainable community by linking the value of a healthy internal environment with a healthy external environment by promoting eating locally grown foods, wild harvested foods, and living foods. Southwest Marketing Network SW Colorado Project (SWMN SWCP) is a demonstration project of the SWMN focusing for the last five years on rebuilding the local food system in SW Colorado. SWCP began a Food and Agriculture Policy Working Group and a successful Farm-to-School group which has been operating for over two years to tie local agriculture to the educational and nutritional needs of area schools. The Garden at Twin Buttes works with beginning farmers through an apprenticeship program to train burgeoning farmers in growing and marketing techniques. TARGET AUDIENCES: Low income, Latinos/as, Native Americans (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute), school age children, youth (teens), and seniors are the main target participants and beneficiaries for this project. Their needs identified in a Community Food Assessment relate directly to project goals and objectives. In the past year, GP has worked hard to form alliances and relationships with key individuals and organizations representing our target participant populations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In the fall of 2009, La Boca Center for Sustainability, an integral partner in the project, dissolved its 501(c)3 status and terminated all community activity. This agency was responsible to develop a farmer-apprenticeship program as part of the Community Food Project. One of the farm directors at La Boca proposed developing an independent program, founded on the premise of the originally proposed project. Land was secured on which to develop a new apprenticeship program and was developed independently of the La Boca organization, under the supervision and guidance of the Growing Partners Community Food Project.
Impacts
On 4/12/2010, using the Growing Partners (GP), Community Food Project Outcome Assessment Plan, GP conducted an evaluation of all work to date based on project short-term outcomes and indicators. Each of the 8 GP project partners was asked to evaluate and share their annual project impact, and project their goals for year two of the project. School Districts received useful information and made connections needed to begin and sustain a Farm-to-School program, provided children with healthy, local food options, and highlighted local foods in special meals for students, faculty and staff which raised awareness. Area schools marketed a FTS program in menus and calendars to raise awareness among families. Target populations began to learn how to access local sources of healthy food. More healthy, local food was distributed to those in need. Increased numbers of the target population participated in growing their own food. New community gardens were started and maintained. Teachers were trained in how to start and maintain school garden programs. Students learned the benefits and techniques of growing vegetables and about the local food system. The general community learned about the local food system and the benefits of growing their own food. Target individuals and families learned how to access, buy and prepare quality, affordable, healthy, local food. Increased access to information on nutrition, food purchasing, preparation etc. Target population was involved in food system planning and policy development. Policy makers, producers, consumers were connected around food and food policy and planning issues. Target population learned about opportunities and support was available in gardening and farming. Beginning and aspiring farmers and gardeners received quality education, training and information. Students had an opportunity to study farm and food security issues.
Publications
- Fitzgerald, S. 2010. School Garden Resource Guidebook.http://www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org/site/Resource_Gui debook.html.
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