Progress 09/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: -Market analysis of local buyers and producers: Portland State University Professor Dr. Everett conducted focus groups with farmers that participate in Adelante Mujeres's sustainable farming training program to assess market access barriers and to identify opportunities for farmers to sell their produce. Focus group findings led to a service learning opportunity. Dr. Izumi engaged her freshman students in conducting a community survey to assess fresh produce buying habits and in developing marketing tools to support low-income Latino farmers (i.e. website, logo, recipes). MarketLink identified a comprehensive list of purchasers in the community that met our required criteria. They also gave us a randomly selected list of 4,000 residents in the community that was used to send out the community survey about purchasing habits. GIS analysis was then used by PSU Graduate Assistant Scott Ellis, to analyze the results of this survey. -Increased access of low-income Latino farmers to markets: Through this collaboration, Ecotrust connected Adelante Mujeres and the farmers in Adelante Agricultura to Oregon Childhood Development Coalition, a relationship that continues to grow in purchasing capacity. They also connected the program to Beaverton School District and have begun to facilitate a relationship with the Forest Grove School District to explore the opportunity to supply food for the school meal program next season. Some local farmers looking to increase there own produce for there Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and a small grocery store looking to support small, local farmers. Adelante Mujeres plans to continue to consult with Ecotrust on connecting to institutions through both the use of La Esperanza Distributors on FoodHub and through direct consultation with the Farm to School Program Manager. -Increased amount of fresh, local produce available to low-income consumers: With partners MarketLink and Ecotrust, Adelante Mujeres was able to compile a list of potential institutional buyers that included schools and preschools in the area that 1. Had established a previous relationship with the Farm to School coordinator; 2. Were in a 50 mile range from the farm; 3. Had a high percentage of free and reduced lunch. The subsequent relationships that have been developed between OCDC and Forest Grove School District are both targeting vulnerable populations. -Development of an action plan for improving market access of low-income farmers of color: In disseminating our results, the partners came up with an action planning worksheet to assist other organizations and individuals interested in conducting similar work within their own communities. The perspective of the partners was that each project is site-specific and depends on the community and region and this would be a more effective tool. The partners were also able to distribute their findings and action plan by holding a workshop "Low income Consumer to Producer Connection" at the 2011 Community Food Security Coalition Conference. A short flyer describing the results of the project and recommendations that will be published on Ecotrust's website by the end of the year. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigator: Anne Morse, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator for Adelante Agricultura. Role is to connect with Latino immigrant farmers and provide technical assistance in organic farming practices and marketing support. As the principal collaborator, Adelante Mujeres facilitated meetings between the collaborating partners and acted as a liaison between Latino farmers and project collaborators. Additional Adelante staff: Alejandro Tecum, Adelante Agricultura Director. Consultation with partners and direct liaison with farmers. Gina Bell, Forest Grove Farmers Market Manager. Consultation with partners and direct liaison with farmers market venders. Partner Organizations: Ecotrust- Ecotrust's mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic opportunity, social equity and environmental well-being. Ecotrust's Food and Farms program endeavors to make sustainability the underlying value of the mainstream food system- the norm, not the exception. Ecotrust guided the market access piece of this project. Portland State University: Working closely with Adelente Mujeres and other project partners, Portland State University faculty (Drs. Margaret Everett and Betty Izumi) guided the research and evaluation pieces of this project. PSU also hired a Graduate Assistant to work on the implementation of research. TARGET AUDIENCES: Social justice focused organizations, anti-hunger activists, policy-makers, public health staff, farmers, emergency food providers, faith-based community representatives, environmentalists, community based organization activists, community residents, community gardeners, nutritionists, extension agents, sustainable agriculture activists, food system and food security organizational representatives, researchers/academics, students, funders, and others engaged in building a sustainable food system. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
-Changes in knowledge of collaborative partners: Key findings from the focus groups included concerns farmers have about the risks associated with starting a new business, deciding which crops to grow, and finding markets for products. Farmers were also concerned about securing equipment and additional land in order to expand their businesses and become independent farmers. -Changes in knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and skills among participants: Greater market access for the farmers' produce has led to an increasing awareness amongst the farmers of how to navigate the marketing of their produce, such as how to write an invoice and how to communicate with the buyers. Many of their perceptions of the challenges involved in market access are the valid concerns of lack of time and communication skills. -Increased awareness among community members of the important role of Latino farmers: This awareness has evolved (and continues to evolve) thanks in large part to the increased visibility of Latino farmers in the community. The creation of La Esperanza Farm as a brand with a compelling story has also helped to bring more exposure to Latino farmers in the community. -Increased knowledge and connections among local buyers and Latino producers; increased purchasing of small farmers' produce by local buyers: Both local buyers that have been reached out to through Ecotrust or Adelante Mujeres are gaining increased knowledge and the farmers themselves are gaining connections OCDC, Forest Grove School District, Beaverton School District, Aramark Foods at Pacific University, Bon Appetit at Intel and New Seasons Market are all buyers that are aware of the farmers and are either currently purchasers or are interested in developing future connections. The farmers are also selling products at additional farmers markets in the region. -Increased cultural competency and capacity to work with Latino and low-income farmers in future project among partner organizations: This was an opportunity for Ecotrust to increase its cultural competency by forming relationships with low-income Latino farmers and explore ways to ensure that FoodHub is truly a tool of social equity. The partnership also allowed PSU faculty to develop additional ties to the community. The inclusion of PSU graduate and undergraduate students in research projects provided training opportunities in various research methods, including focus groups, survey research, and mapping.
Publications
- Project partners are currently preparing manuscripts for submission to the following journals: Journal of Planning Education and Research, Journal of Higher Education and Outreach and Progress in Community Health Partnerships. The publications will describe the role of research in program planning and development, and identify best practices for partnerships to improve market access with low-income and minority producers. Submissions are planned for early to mid 2012.
|