Progress 09/01/15 to 12/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Rodale Institute's (RI) Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) for Fresh Food Access program reached a diverse population through the various program components including: ASC Farm Share; ASC Farmer Training, and targeting and reaching new communities in need of accessing fresh, healthy food with pop up markets. Each program branch reached a slightly different target audience population. The ASC farm share program is a pay-as-you-go style CSA program serving residents in Lehigh and Berks County, PA with the goal of providing fresh organic produce to more people who otherwise would not have affordable access. In each of years 2016 and 2017, RI's ASC Program served 150 families (approx. 450-500 people) of mixed cultural and economic backgrounds over the 6-month growing season (June - November). In 2018, the program served 102 families (approx. 350-400 people). Diverse shares of fresh organic produce were delivered weekly to 5 different regional locations in Allentown and Reading, Pennsylvania. In 2018, around 20% of these families paid for their seasonal share up front, providing farmer access to capital for seasonal costs such as seeds and greenhouse expenses, and the remainder of members paid on a weekly basis. Volunteer opportunities provided 8-10 people a week with free shares in exchange for their time. Weekly egg shares and bi-weekly meat shares were introduced as an option in the 2016 season, and RI piloted the first Winter Share program Nov. 2016 - Feb. 2017 with 30 member-families in an effort to increase access to fresh local food during the off-season. Produce and meat shares were offered biweekly for pick up at the farm; members had the same payment options as during the regular season. The sites were strategically located in areas that would reach a diverse people who need access to fresh, healthy food and with the goal of building a strong food system community. Two sites included farmers' markets offering additional organic products such as cheese, eggs, meat, bread and produce for sale a la carte. All distribution sites and farmers' markets offered a Double SNAP incentive that could be applied to fresh produce thanks to a partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley. This was the fourth year that the ASC has offered this incentive Among the five sites, one was located at Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) Education Center in Reading, PA which houses Head Start programming, a subsidized pre-school education for low-income families, and is within a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile (USDA ERS, 2017). The ASC program also continued to operate two distribution sites in underserved areas of Allentown at the Allentown YMCA, also located in a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile (USDA ERS, 2017), as well as Alliance Hall Park, located in downtown Allentown. These two Allentown sites operated on different days and times to capture customers with diverse work or personal schedules. Both Alliance Hall Park and the YMCA captured a high volume of pedestrian traffic. Alliance Hall Park is centrally located; ASC members and marketgoers picked up food Thursday afternoons/evenings and included people visiting nearby hospital clinics, and social service agencies in the neighborhood, and others who are simply residents living in the neighborhood. The YMCA operated on Saturday mornings and captured community members who participated in the facility's programming, residents from the Lutheran home two blocks away, and other pedestrian traffic in the primarily residential, limited access neighborhood. Each week, six to eight community members volunteered at distribution sites in exchange for a free share of produce. They facilitated the operation by helping customers with their produce, expediting customer waiting time, and assisting with food tasting/cooking demonstrations. In 2018, ASC continued to offer a Meat Share option which also offered a pay-as-you-go arrangement to serve families with a restricted budget. The Meat Share was offered this year on a monthly basis rather than weekly. SNAP benefits were accepted for both vegetable and meat shares. The ASC Farmer Training program accepted 6 new farmers (4 men and 2 women) in 2018 to participate in the six--month training program focused on organic growing skills and business planning. The group was very diverse hailing from all over country (including one intern who grew up and went to college locally) and one intern from Tanzania. We also had 3 Veteran interns who requested to be in the ASC program and were with us from 3 months to 6 months. Many were attracted to the program to make an impact by making farm and food systems more sustainable and alleviating issues of food access. They have each left with the intention to employ what they have learned here either in their own communities or elsewhere--with a service organization, in taking over a family farm, or starting their own farm. RI hosted and conducted a Collaboration Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) workshop in June 2018 in collaboration with the National Young Farmers Coalition that featured farm and food system policy issues. This workshop attracted over 50 new farmers from throughout the region. They toured the farm and learned about RI's ASC and Farmer Training programs. The ASC farmer training also engaged ta groups of youth volunteers (20 teens of diverse cultural and developmental backgrounds, and 2 adult supervisors) learning job training skills over a period of 6 weeks. Changes/Problems:In 2018, the number of ASC Farm Share members decreased to 102. This year the number of ASC Farm Share members paying weekly increased while the Farm Share Member paying with SNAP benefits decreased. There were significantly less corporate and suburban members making the full farm share payment up front, instead changing to weekly payments. This change is due to the sale of Rodale Inc. in January 2018 which led to the loss of corporate Farm Share Members and the change of the Emmaus site. At this same time, Sacred Heart Hospital Sigal Center was taken over by the St. Luke's Hospital Health Network and the location of the former ASC distribution site was under new construction, so a new site had to be located. The Allentown Health Bureau helped RI to find a new site at Alliance Hall Park but it put promotion of the site behind schedule until the site was found. This loss of the site at Sacred Heart resulted in losing Farm Share Members from their staff and getting the word out about ASC farm shares late resulted in less new share recruitments. The Alliance Hall Park site was not a good site for many potential share members who consider the location to be in a dangerous part of the city. In 2019, we will not have the Alliance Hall Park site for farm share distribution or farmers' market. In terms of building community through community gardens/urban farms and teaching customer service, business, and other transferable skills in underserved neighborhoods we were not able to progress on this goal during 2018 due to lack of staff capacity. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the 2016-2018 seasons, ASC provided opportunities for training and professional development in two different population segments. The ASC integrates a unique and intensive training program for new farmers into an alternative business model; and it also offers community opportunities in job training skills through volunteer positions. The ASC farmer training internship is an eight-month commitment for individuals who are interested in experiencing an entire farming season in a production vegetable operation from last frost to first frost and beyond. However, there are also opportunities for short-term training depending on the interest, skill level, and personal situation of the individual. The training integrates hands-on skills with classroom experiences, regional farm visits, and mentoring. Participants gain a wide range of organic farming skills including greenhouse management, soil health management, field planning, planting techniques, weed management, tractor operation, compost production, plant health management, pest and disease management, high tunnel production, harvesting, processing and packing produce and more. Rodale Institute (RI) is also a founding member of the Tri-State CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) Program. As such, we host an annual field day on a focused topic inviting interns and apprentices from other farms to attend; RI trainees are likewise invited to visit other regional farm field days throughout the season for specific workshop topics. It is a great opportunity for ASC farmer interns to be exposed to different operations where they can connect and learn from other farmers and apprentices. Interns are also trained in distribution site management and learn related skills such as product inventory, customer service communication, record keeping, food donation tracking and accounting through weekly responsibilities. Additionally, farmer trainees compose weekly ASC member newsletters on a rotating basis to increase customer investment in the program through education, shared information and exposure to the greater food system. The goal by the end of the season is for interns to be comfortable making management decisions on their own or with mentorship. At the end of the 2016 season, ASC interns participated in a business class series in collaboration with Lehigh University students and faculty. The students worked with interns to understand and craft the different sections of a business plan that focuses on their future goals in agriculture and prepares them for future action following their training. They finished with a working draft of a business plan and presentation to manipulate and share with potential funders. It is a learning experience for both the university students and the ASC interns. During the 2017 and 2018 season, ASC interns participated in a business class series in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kutztown University. The SBDC trains interns and other agriculturally focused community members to understand and craft a business model canvas, a contemporary blueprint for a business plan that focuses on their goals in agriculture and prepares them for future action following their training. The ASC also provides training and professional development for community volunteers. Throughout each season, 12-15 community volunteers assist with ASC distribution sites on a weekly basis. They learn professional skills focusing on customer service and food handling guidelines at the sites. However, they also learn about organic agriculture and guidelines through interaction with RI staff and interns. Other community members volunteer at the farm assisting with harvesting, processing, weed management and other maintenance. Some people only visit once or twice as their time allows; however, there are also many who volunteer on a regular basis. RI hosted two youth groups from vocational programs who volunteered 18-20 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks to learn skills that may help them secure jobs in the future. RI also offers a Veteran Farmer training program for military veterans interested in agricultural jobs after their service. The program is very flexible, and individuals can choose their area of focus on the farm. This season 5 Veterans were heavily involved with the ASC operations over periods of 4-8 weeks. Their training was integrated into the program much like the ASC internship opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?RI publicizes activities and program results primarily through website articles, social media and as video projects. RI also publicizes the ASC program for new membership continually from November - June using tools such as web-based media and articles, local television interviews in English and Spanish, radio interviews in English and Spanish, information sessions held at distribution sites, posters, pamphlets, and flyers. RI also disseminates information at farm events as well as regional and national conferences where we hold a table. RI has launched the Head Start Healthy Start teacher training website to be accessible to elementary-age educators nationwide. Lastly, RI disseminates information at farm events as well as at tables at regional and national conferences. In the 2017 season, RI's ASC program was featured in three regional television stories. All the program's media coverage is linked to RI's website and social media outlets to have farther reaching effects. Two stories were aired by a local news channel (Channel 69) at the beginning of the season to promote access to affordable fresh food within the community. WHYY, an NPR station based in Philadelphia, also broadcast a story highlighting the farmer training program associated with the ASC Program. ASC newsletters communicate with program member stakeholders on a weekly basis describing internship experiences and perspectives on sustainable food systems as well as offering recipe ideas for fresh seasonal food. In 2018, RI had a live radio interview and live broadcast at one of the distribution/market sites with a Spanish language radio station, La Mega Radio, that reaches communities of interest in the greater Lehigh Valley. RI staff are represented on the steering committee of the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council which is made up of more than a dozen community organizations serving low-income/low-access communities in the greater Leigh Valley and we network and report through this group. In addition, RI hosted health fairs at the YMCA in Allentown and at schools in Reading and Allentown where we had promotional and education materials available, including information on using SNAP and FMNP benefits, our ASC Farm Share program, and our internships. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This is a final report for the grant. However, we are continuing to offer our share distribution and seasonal markets during the 2019 growing season that are supported in part by a current grant from the USDA AMS Farmer's Market Promotion Program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: 1a. In each of years 2016 and 2017, RI's ASC Program served 150 families (approx. 450-500 people) of mixed cultural and economic backgrounds over the 6-month growing season (June - November). In 2018, the program served 102 families (approx. 350-400 people). Diverse shares of fresh organic produce were delivered weekly to 5 different regional locations in Allentown and Reading, Pennsylvania. 1b. The ASC distribution sites are strategically located in low-income communities or near services that are targeted toward this population. The program accepted multiple payment schedules and methods at all sites to serve diverse membership population. Weekly share payments were made with cash, credit, debit or SNAP benefits. 1c. 1e. The ASC ran five distribution sites and two organic farmer's markets during each year of the project in highly visible community locations with the goal of increasing affordable food access. The sites reflected the diversity of the region: 3 sites (66% of shareholders) were located in low-income, underserved areas of Allentown and Reading, PA; 2 sites (33% of shareholders) reached more diversified and middle-income families in Emmaus and Kutztown, PA. The distribution sites were located at various community partner organizations in the cities of Reading and Allentown, PA, and they are as follows: Sacred Heart Hospital Sigal Center (2016) and Alliance Hall Park (2017, 2018), in downtown Allentown, is a health care center that operated an ASC/a la carte farmers' market Thursdays in late afternoon; Allentown YMCA, located in a USDA EMS determined low-income low-access area, offers programs in health, wellness, and child development and also hosted an ASC/farmers' market on Saturday mornings; Berks County Intermediate Unit Education Center (BCIU), is also within a USDA EMS documented low-income low-access area; Rodale General Store (2016) Rodale Working Tree Center (2017, 2018), Rodale General Store in Emmaus, is located in a middle-income neighborhood and many ASC members (approximately 30%) here paid for the entire season up front; Rodale Institute Farm Store, in rural Kutztown hosted an ASC/Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings. Goal 2: 2a. RIcollaborated with The Food trust, Cooking Matters, community volunteers, and local chefs to conduct 10 cooking demonstrations in 2017 at Sacred Heart's/Alliance Hall ASC/Farmers' Market engaging over 100 people throughout the series making simple, healthy meals with fresh, seasonal produce 2b. Each week during the season, ASC members received an e-newsletter with field updates, weekly products from the farm, and recipes featuring seasonal items. Recipes are linked to larger bank on our website for additional ideas. Primarily, most outreach is done through the ASC Newsletter, "Roots, Fruits, and Leaves." In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, about 150 members received the newsletter and approximately 100 members in 2018. Content included what organic produce would be harvested for the member's shares that week. 2c.RI staff piloted the Head Start Healthy Start (HSHS) program at 2 sites to 110-120 children. In early spring of 2016, each of 6 classes started vegetable seeds indoors.Both sites planted seedlings into smallraised beds within playground areas so children could water and monitor plant growth over time. The classes visited RI's farm to see how food is raised on a larger scale. They toured the greenhouse, the vegetable fields, and the livestock areas.Parents participated in planting the gardens and attending the field trip. 2d. HSHS curriculum consisted of 4 classroom/garden lessons and 1 fieldtrip to the farm. It is a resource for preschool teachers who are interested in starting school gardens. It provides them with an educational curriculum (activities, books, snacks, crafts, etc.) to incorporate with the garden. After the classroom pilot in 2016, RI focused on honing and compiling a curricular package for the Head Start Healthy Start program based on stakeholder feedback. All material has been uploaded onto a website as a teacher training resource including lesson plans, video instruction, budget outlines, downloadable/printable resources, and more. To view the HSHS program in its entirety, please follow the link provided. rodaleinstitute.org/myfirstgarden/ 2e. Due to staffing issues and weather conditions, we were unable to host the shareholder dinner at the farm in 2016. In May 2017, RI hosted a farm field trip for 75 culturally diverse Kindergarten students from Allentown, demonstrating to urban youth the benefits of organic food production. RI hosted the annual potluck harvest dinner at the farm in mid-August. 20 - 30 community members attended, each bringing a dish to share. Goal 3: 3a. Ten to 12 volunteers from diverse economic backgrounds assisted with ASC distributions each season. In the 2017 season, 6 -12 community members volunteered on the farm throughout the season assisting with planting, cultivation, harvest, high tunnel maintenance, and processing. Two groups of disadvantaged teenagers (total 20 students) assisted with field work for 20 - 25 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks as part of a career training program. In 2018, during the ASC Farm Share distribution season, 8 - 10 local volunteers assisted with ASC distributions, and at Alliance Hall Park with Spanish translation, on a weekly basis. Approximately 40 community members volunteered on the farm throughout the season assisting with planting, cultivation, harvest, post-harvest handling and packing shares, high tunnel maintenance, and weeding. 3b. RI created 2 new urban gardens located at the Head Start facilities in both Allentown and Reading. ASC members could potentially have visual access to the gardens and connect with RI Staff and interns about creatinga similar home garden. 3c. During the 2016 season, RI trained 6 farmer interns for the eight-month educational program. One of them completed the 8-month training; the other five had training periods that varied between 3 and 6 months. RI trained 11 farmer interns in 2017; their terms varied from 3 to 8 months long. For the 2018 season, RI trained 6 ASC interns and 3 Veteran interns to become future farmers through our comprehensive internships with in-field direct training and classroom training in organic farming and with business courses. Each received learning resources in the form of books, flash drives, in-classroom presentations, tractor training, and hands-on skills experience. 3d.The food preservation class was cancelled over the seasons (2016-2018) due to lack of registrations.An effort was made to plan the food preservation classes in a commercial kitchen located in Allentown and Reading, PA. But not facility could be procured for the classes. This impeded class registration, as most individuals would not be able to find adequate transportation. Goal 4: 4a. During the 2016 season, RI trained6 farmer interns for the eight-month educational program. For the 2017 season, RI trained 11 farmer interns; their terms varied from 3 to 8 months long. For the 2018 season, RI trained 6 ASC interns and 3 Veteran interns to become future farmers through our comprehensive internships with in-field direct training and classroom training in organic farming and with business courses. 4b. The RI PD has been in direct contact with graduates from the ASC program. A general update of RI and the ASC is sent out twice a year; social media outlets also offer information about programming and opportunities. Subsequent communications with ambassadors vary per individual needs. The PD also connects ambassadors with other organic farming opportunities within their regions. 4c. One ASC graduate has established an ASC type business model in his hometown of Bethlehem, PA. Other graduates are farming on family land, running education programs for non-profit organizations, and working for established farmers to gain experience.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period Rodale Institute's (RI) Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) for Fresh Food Access program reached a diverse population through the various program components including: ASC Farm Share; ASC Farmer Training, and targeting and reaching new communities in need of accessing fresh, healthy food with pop up markets. Each program branch reached a slightly different target audience population. The ASC farm share program is a pay-as-you-go style CSA program serving residents in Lehigh and Berks County, PA with the goal of providing fresh organic produce to more people who otherwise would not have affordable access. RI delivered weekly diverse shares of organic produce to five different regional sites serving 102 families (approximately 350-400 people) of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds over a period of 6 months. The sites were strategically located in areas that would reach a diverse people who need access to fresh, healthy food and with the goal of building a strong food system community. Two sites included farmers' markets offering additional organic products such as cheese, eggs, meat, bread and produce for sale a la carte. All distribution sites and farmers' markets offered a Double SNAP incentive that could be applied to fresh produce thanks to a partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley. This was the fourth year that the ASC has offered this incentive. Among the five sites, one was located at Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) Education Center in Reading, PA which houses Head Start programming, a subsidized pre-school education for low-income families, and is within a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile (USDA ERS, 2017). The ASC program also continued to operate two distribution sites in underserved areas of Allentown at the Allentown YMCA, alsolocated in a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile (USDA ERS, 2017), as well as Alliance Hall Park, located in downtown Allentown. These two Allentown sites operated on different days and times to capture customers with diverse work or personal schedules. Both Alliance Hall Park and the YMCA captured a high volume of pedestrian traffic. Alliance Hall Park is centrally located; ASC members and marketgoers picked up food Thursday afternoons/evenings and included people visiting nearby hospital clinics, and social service agencies in the neighborhood, and others who are simply residents living in the neighborhood. The YMCA operated on Saturday mornings and captured community members who participated in the facility's programming, residents from the Lutheran home two blocks away, and other pedestrian traffic in the primarily residential, limited access neighborhood. Each week, six to eight community members volunteered at distribution sites in exchange for a free share of produce. They facilitated the operation by helping customers with their produce, expediting customer waiting time, and assisting with food tasting/cooking demonstrations. In 2018, ASC continued to offer a Meat Share option which also offered a pay-as-you-go arrangement to serve families with a restricted budget. The Meat Share was offered this year on a monthly basis rather than weekly. SNAP benefits were accepted for both vegetable and meat shares. The ASC Farmer Training program accepted 6 new farmers (4 men and 2 women) this year to participate in the six--month training program focused on organic growing skills and business planning. The group was very diverse hailing from all over country (including one intern who grew up and went to college locally) and one intern from Tanzania. We also had 3 Veteran interns who requested to be in the ASC program and were with us from 3 months to 6 months. Many were attracted to the program to make an impact by making farm and food systems more sustainable and alleviating issues of food access. They have each left with the intention to employ what they have learned here either in their own communities or elsewhere--with a service organization, in taking over a family farm, or starting their own farm. RI hosted and conducted a Collaboration Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) workshop in June 2018 in collaboration with the National Young Farmers Coalition that featured farm and food system policy issues. This workshop attracted over 50 new farmers from throughout the region. They toured the farm and learned about RI's ASC and Farmer Training programs. The ASC farmer training also engaged ta groups of youth volunteers (20 teens of diverse cultural and developmental backgrounds, and 2 adult supervisors) learning job training skills over a period of 6 weeks. Changes/Problems:In 2018, the number of ASC Farm Share members decreased to 102. This year the number of ASC Farm Share members paying weekly increased while the Farm Share Member paying with SNAP benefits decreased. There were significantly less corporate and suburban members making the full farm share payment up front, instead changing to weekly payments. This change is due to the sale of Rodale Inc. in January 2018 which led to the loss of corporate Farm Share Members and the change of the Emmaus site. At this same time, Sacred Heart Hospital Sigal Center was taken over by the St. Luke's Hospital Health Network and the location of the former ASC distribution site was under new construction, so a new site had to be located. The Allentown Health Bureau helped RI to find a new site at Alliance Hall Park but it put promotion of the site behind schedule until the site was found. This loss of the site at Sacred Heart resulted in loosing Farm Share Members from their staff and getting the word out about ASC farm shares late resulted in less new share recruitments. The Alliance Hall Park site was not a good site for many potential share members who consider the location to be in a dangerous part of the city. In 2019, we will not have the Alliance Hall Park site for farm share distribution or farmers' market. In terms of building community through community gardens/urban farms and teaching customer service, business, and other transferable skills in underserved neighborhoods we were not able to progress on this goal during 2018 due to lack of staff capacity. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The ASC has provided opportunities for training and professional development in two different population segments. The ASC integrates a unique and intensive training program for new farmers into an alternative business model; and it also offers community opportunities in job training skills through volunteer positions. This year we trained 6 ASC interns and 3 Veteran interns to become future farmers through our comprehensive internships with in-field direct training and classroom training in organic farming and with business courses. While several of the interns came from local communities but not from underserved urban communities, most of the interns in the ASC program were interested in serving both community and nutrition needs as well as promoting community economic development and are planning to pursue these goals as their next career step. ASC provides training and professional development for interns in our program and in the Rodale Institute Veteran intern program. All ASC interns serve as site hosts for our distribution sites and at three farmers markets which they rotate through each week for 26 weeks. They learn all aspects of CSA and farmers marketing from production to post harvest handling to distribution. Training and professional development includes: how to put together a weekly share, coordinating site distribution; Farm Share member management, direct marketing skills for farmers markets, customer service, display techniques, and conducting sales transactions with Square and for SNAP payments. RI ASC recruited 6 farmer interns in 2018 for a six-month period working 40-hours a week. We had one intern from Tanzania, who came to us through the MESA program, who was able to translate in Swahili for African refugees who came to our Allentown sites. In addition, 3 interns from the RI Veteran's Farmer Training program were embedded with the ASC program for three to six months. All of the interns completed a 4 week business planning course with the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University. 5 of the interns were college students who had just graduated, one was a professional making a career change, and one of the interns who was locally-based applied and was accepted for an Americorp position related to urban farming in San Francisco. All of the interns received intensive, direct, hands-on experience coordinated with an extensive curriculum and received a RI ASC certificate of completion at the end of their term here. In addition, the interns formed meaningful relationships with ASC Farm Share Members at all of the sites and made positive impressions for the program with the contribution of their work and dedication. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In 2018, we had a live radio interview and live broadcast at one of our sites with a Spanish language radio station, La Mega Radio, that reaches communities of interest in the greater Lehigh Valley. We are on the steering committee of the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council which is made up of more than a dozen community organizations serving low-income/low-access communities in the greater Leigh Valley and we network and report through this group. In addition, we health fairs at the YMCA in Allentown and at schools in Reading and Allentown where we had promotional and education materials available, including information on using SNAP and FMNP benefits, our ASC Farm Share program, and our internships. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?N/A, this is the last reporting period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The ASC program increased fresh produce access in underserved communities in Reading and Allentown through our CSA farm share pay weekly option together with accepting SNAP and double SNAP benefits. Distribution sites were located at 5 different regional communities with 3 sites (approximately 60% of share members) located in low-income/low-access urban neighborhoods in Allentown and Reading and 2 sites located in the more diverse and middle-income communities of Emmaus and Kutztown (approximately 40% of share members). In total, our CSA served 102 families (approximately 350-400 people) from diverse socio-cultural and economic backgrounds over 6 months (June-November) with weekly vegetable shares and monthly meat shares. We also held 3 weekly farmers markets and additional pop-up markets accepting SNAP and FMPP benefits in low-access urban communities in Allentown and Reading. Our farmers markets provided vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, honey, and other local food products to culturally diverse, underserved urban populations (approximately 500-600 people) over a six-month period (June-November). ASC Farm Share Distribution sites: Alliance Hall Park in downtown Allentown, is a public park located near the Allentown Health Bureau and Food Bank. This site replaced the Sacred Heart Hospital Sigal Center which was no longer available in 2018 because of purchase by the St. Luke's Hospital Health Network. This site served as both a distribution site and farmers' market Thursdays in late afternoon. It is centrally located in a business and residential neighborhood that is one of the more underserved in Allentown. It is easily accessible for both pedestrian traffic and public transportation, and offers free parking. Many of the people who visited the site on Thursday afternoon had never been to a farmers' market and many had FMNP vouchers but did not know of a place they could redeem them or they did not know of a place where they could buy fresh, local food using their SNAP benefits. At this site, we were able to help increase redemption of FMNP vouchers. • Allentown YMCA, located in a USDA EMS determined low-income low-access area, offers programs in health, wellness, and child development and also hosted an ASC/farmers' market on Saturday mornings. The market operated by the front door and captured facility visitors and local residents. The YMCA offers financial assistance to a large number of low-income individuals to strengthen community health. • Berks County Intermediate Unit Education Center (BCIU), is also within a USDA EMS documented low-income/low-access area. BCIU houses educational facilities for low-income families such as Head Start, Early Head Start, PreK Counts, Special Education, Professional Training and much more. There were 2 Kremmer's Café and Catering share subsidy recipients (out of 3) picking up at this site. • Working Tree Center, in Emmaus, is located in a middle-income neighborhood and about 10% of the ASC members who paid for the entire season up front pick up their weekly share at this site. Kremmer's Café and Catering also pick up CSA shares from the Rodale Institute Farm and deliver them to this site. • Rodale Institute Farm Store, in rural Kutztown hosted an ASC/Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings. This site helped to reach families outside the city and provided opportunity for members to connect with their food source at the farm. About 20% of the ASC members who paid for the entire season up front pick up their weekly share at this site. We also had a Kremmer's Café and Catering share subsidy recipient (1 of 3 Kremmer's subsidy recipients) picking up at this site The program accepted multiple payment schedules and methods at all sites to serve diverse membership population. 15% of shares were purchased in a lump sum in the spring assisting with early season farm expenses. Weekly share payments were made with cash, credit, debit or SNAP benefits. SNAP users received an incentive through RI's partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley. Both ASC members and marketgoers using EBT cards for SNAP received up to 50% off their purchase (up to $10.00 off total) of produce. FMNP checks were also accepted at all a la carte farmers' markets. Kremmer's Café and Catering supported shares for low-income families with donations of $150.00/week. Volunteer opportunities provided 8-10 people a week with free shares in exchange for their time. We are not having the Winter Share program Nov. 2018 - Feb. 2019 as in the previous year due to a lack of vegetable production capacity because of early, severe winter weather. We continued promoting healthy eating and local food economy awareness to low-income community members through on-site cooking demonstrations and nutrition education in collaboration with our community partners--The Food Trust/Cooking Matters and the YMCA. Our ASC newsletter served to educate ASC Farm Share Members about the farming side of healthy food production and being part of the local food economy with recipes and news about our farmers markets. Educational and promotional materials were provided in Spanish and English, but in 2018 we did not have Spanish translation for the ASC newsletter. RI partnered with two community organizations to conduct cooking demonstrations and tastings at two different sites in Allentown. The Food Trust held cooking demonstrations twice each month (June - Nov.) alternating at 3 sites: the downtown Allentown YMCA, Alliance Hall Park, and Roosevelt School (pop up markets during the time families were picking up their children from school) using fresh seasonal vegetables available at the market or in ASC shares. The demonstrations were repeated several times each day, attracting 30 - 50 people per day, and provided recipes for convenience. The Allentown ASC members received a weekly e-newsletter composed by ASC staff/interns highlighting recipes and nutritional facts about seasonal produce and ways to prepare or preserve food, notes from the field, and upcoming events. Newsletters were posted on RI's ASC Facebook page exposing over 1,000 follow. During the ASC Farm Share distribution season, 8 - 10 local volunteers from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds assisted with ASC distributions, and at Alliance Hall Park with Spanish translation, on a weekly basis. They gained experience in customer service skills, setting up produce presentations, breaking down displays and facilitating surveys. Approximately 40 community members volunteered on the farm throughout the season assisting with planting, cultivation, harvest, post-harvest handling and packing shares, high tunnel maintenance, and weeding. Kremmer's Café and Catering brought a group of 6 youth volunteers to help with harvesting lettuce andcorn over a six week period. A group of disadvantaged teenagers (total 20 students) assisted with field work for 20 - 25 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks as part of a career training program through Goodwill Industries.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period Rodale Institute's (RI) Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC)for Fresh Food Access program reached a diverse population through the various program components including: ASC farm share; ASC Farmer Training; and planning for the teacher training component of the Head Start Healthy Start (HSHS) education program for preschool students. Each program branch reached a slightly different target audience population. The ASC farm share program is a pay-as-you-go style CSA program serving residents in Lehigh and Berks County, PA with the goal of providing fresh organic produce to more people who otherwise would not have affordable access. RI delivered weekly diverse shares of organic produce to five different regional sites serving 150 families (approximately 450-500 people) of mixed cultural and economic backgrounds over a period of 6 months. The sites were strategically located in areas that would reach this target population. Two sites included farmers' markets offering additional organic products such as cheese, eggs, meat, bread and produce for sale a la carte. All distribution sites and farmers' markets offered a Double SNAP incentive that could be applied to fresh produce thanks to a partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley. This was the third year that the ASC has offered this incentive, but in 2017 participation in the program more than doubled over 2016 sales among SNAP users. Among the five sites, one was located at Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) Education Center in Reading, PA which houses Head Start programming, a subsidized pre-school education for low-income families, and is within a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile (USDA ERS, 2017). The HSHS program was piloted here with three classrooms in 2016. The ASC also continued to operate two distribution sites in underserved areas of Allentown at the Allentown YMCA, also located in a USDA recognized Food Desert with Low Income and Low Access at a half mile(USDA ERS, 2017), as well as Sacred Heart Hospital, located in downtown Allentown. These two Allentown sites operated on different days and times to capture customers with diverse work or personal schedules. Both Sacred Heart and the YMCA captured a high volume of pedestrian traffic. Sacred Heart is centrally located; ASC members and marketgoers picked up food Thursday afternoons/evenings and included people visiting the hospital's clinic, hospital employees, people traversing to other services and retailers nearby, or simply residents living in the neighborhood. The YMCA operated on Saturday mornings and captured community members who participated in the facility's programming, residents from the Lutheran home two blocks away, and other pedestrian traffic in the primarily residential, limited access neighborhood. Each week, six to eight community members volunteered at distribution sites in exchange for a free share of produce. They facilitated the operation by helping customers with their produce, expediting customer waiting time, and assisting with food tasting/cooking demonstrations. One youth volunteer was recognized by the city's Mayor last fall for his contribution to the community through his work with RI's ASC Program in Allentown. RI's ASC also cultivated a relationship with Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council's Food Recovery and Respect Committee. Every week, a volunteer from this committee came to the farm to pick up any excess produce from shares or overage from the fields and donated it to various food pantries and food banks that serve the region's poverty stricken and homeless population. The ASC program piloted the first Winter Share program operating bi-weekly from November 2016 through February 2017. A Meat Share option was introduced at this time, which also offered a pay-as-you-go arrangement to serve families with a restricted budget. SNAP benefits were accepted for both vegetable and meat shares. Last year this program successfully served 30 families who picked up shares at Rodale Institute. Feedback from the community indicated that fresh off-season local produce is hard to get and is in high demand. In 2017 - 2018, the program intends to expand membership to 50 families in an effort to increase local access. The ASC Farmer Training program accepted 11 new farmers (3 men and 8 women) this year to participate in the three to eight-month training program focused on organic growing skills and business planning. The group was very diverse hailing from all over the world: Indonesia, Viet Nam, Maine, Colorado, California, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Many were attracted to the program to make an impact alleviating fresh food access issues in their own communities, and have every intention of returning home to continue this work. This year the training program increased its flexibility in commitment time to attract people of different backgrounds including students; four of the ASC interns were college students on summer break. Additionally, it enabled to program to employ and train more people during the busiest and most productive time of year; five interns joined the program from May through September aiding in field production and site distribution. The short term training introduced individuals with limited agricultural experience to the rhythm of farming without overwhelming them. RI hosted and conducted a Collaboration Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) field day in June 2017, attracting over 30 new farmers from throughout the region. They toured the facility and learned about RI's sustainable agriculture practices from ASC staff and RI Researchers. The ASC farmer training also engaged two groups of youth volunteers (20 teens of diverse cultural and developmental backgrounds, and 6 adult supervisors) learning job training skills over a period of 6 -8 weeks. Five individual military Veterans participated in the farmer training program with the ASC for periods of time that varied from 4 to 13 weeks; and various community volunteers helped with field work and vegetable processing over the course of the season on regular and irregular bases. Instead of individually conducting the HSHS program this year, RI staff compiled curricular resources into a teacher training package to increase accessibility to the program throughout the region and beyond. Lesson plans, videos, downloadable/printable resources, recipes and more are coming together on a HSHS website that will reach more teachers than possible through personal staff visits. The website should be completed by early 2018. RI's ASC Program manager met with staff from CSC and BCIU, where the program was piloted in 2016, to discuss future plans for a training session for teachers from the various Head Start facilities that both CSC and BCIU operate throughout the region. CSC operates 54 Head Start classrooms throughout Lehigh and Northampton County (Community Services for Children, 2017). BCIU Head Start programming serves 640 children in 37 classrooms throughout Berks County (Berks County Intermediate Unit, 2017). Both organizations also have Pre-K Counts Programs that serve hundreds of children from low-income families. References: Berks County Intermediate Unit. (2017). Berks County Head Start . Retrieved from Berks County Intermediate Unit: http://www.berksiu.org/programs-services/early-childhood-student-services-programs/early-care/berks-county-head-start/ Community Services for Children. (2017). Programs. Retrieved from Community Services for Children: https://www.cscinc.org/about-csc/programs/ USDA ERS. (2017, May). Food Access Research Atlas: Go to the Atlas. Retrieved from USDA Economic Research Service: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx Changes/Problems:In 2017, RI made several operational changes in the ASC program that resulted in an overall improvement for invested stakeholders. In order to improve access to the targeted low-income, low-access population in Allentown the distribution site at Community Services for Children (CSC) was eliminated. CSC is a Head Start pre-school education facility, however, this site had been struggling to attract participants since 2015. The PD discussed the issue with administrative contacts at CSC in early 2017 to design a solution that would better serve community members for improved food access. After collaboratively analyzing the situation it was determined that because the site conducted very little summer programming for their low-income target families and was difficult to access via public transportation, it was not an attractive ASC distribution site for the target population for most of the season. To resolve the issue, stakeholders decided instead to promote the other Allentown sites through their family engagement counselors. This strategy was very successful in increasing participation in Allentown, especially since most of the families with children at CSC's Head Start facility actually lived closer and had easier access to either the Allentown YMCA or Sacred Heart Hospital. In 2017, RI created a flexible schedule farmer training program for the purpose of attracting more new farmers to the program from diversified backgrounds. In the past, some candidates were secure in their commitment to an 8-month farming internship, however this time frame was also limiting to individuals just starting down the path of organic agriculture. RI staff found that many college students were interested in the training as they were considering their career track, but could only commit to a summer time frame. The road to organic agriculture can also be arduous and overwhelming to a new farmer; in 2016, the ASC program had a high attrition rate in farmer trainees as they became aware of the true commitment involved in an agricultural business. By having flexible training periods, participants continued to have a positive attitude about their experience, while also understanding the nature of the work. In 2017, all ASC interns completed their commitment to the program. Through this arrangement, the ASC program was also able to have a larger crew during the summer months when the pace was faster and production more abundant. RI changed partners in the business training series in 2017. For four years, the ASC program had partnered with Lehigh University to expose farmer trainees to the elements and process of creating a business plan. While this partnership was moderately successful, there were a few elements that made it consistently difficult to achieve the best results possible. It was structured as a student club at the university; all student and staff participation was completely voluntary. Because most did not view the benefits and consequences of completing the series with ASC interns as compulsory there was a high attrition rate amongst university students, and less than committed attitude amongst the professors. The schedules of farmer trainees and university community members often did not coalesce well. The business series commenced in September as the production season began to slow and the students returned to school. However throughout the series, it became increasingly difficult for the students and interns to collaborate as exams pressured the students and market days were a priority for interns. Lehigh is about a 20 mile drive from the farm. This made it both difficult for interns to travel after a long physical work day, and for students with limited transportation to get to RI. In 2017, RI forged a relationship with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kutztown University to resolve some of these issues. The SBDC receive funding to service community within their catchment area including RI. They also have programming specifically focused toward assisting agricultural businesses. The SBDC goal is to serve community members in supporting their business goals; they are professionals with flexible schedules. The facility is less than five miles from RI, and they conducted the program at the farm, even opening it up to other regional organic farmers. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The ASC has provided opportunities for training and professional development in two different population segments. The ASC integrates a unique and intensive training program for new farmers into an alternative business model; and it also offers community opportunities in job training skills through volunteer positions. The ASC farmer training internship is a three to eight-month commitment for individuals who are interested in experiencing a partial or entire farming season from last frost to first frost and beyond in an organic production vegetable operation. There are opportunities for short-term and long-term training or depending on the interest, skill level, and personal situation of the individual. The training integrates hands-on skills with classroom experiences, regional farm visits, and mentoring. Participants gain a wide range of organic farming skills including greenhouse management, soil health management, field planning, planting techniques, weed management, tractor operation, compost production, pest and disease management, high tunnel production, harvesting, processing and packing produce and more. In addition, all interns participated in a college level Plant Health Management class 4 hours/week for 12 weeks gaining more knowledge about related organic agriculture topics including: tillage/no-till practices, cover cropping, insect and weed life cycles and identification, organic certification, orchard management, etc. The class included individual and team assignments such as designing a 3-year crop rotation, creating weed and insect collections, and answering weekly discussion questions based on assigned readings. Rodale Institute (RI) is also a founding member of the Tri-State CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) Program. As such, the farm hosts an annual field day on focused topics inviting interns and apprentices from other farms to attend; RI trainees are likewise invited to visit other regional farm field days throughout the season for specific workshop topics. It is a great opportunity for ASC farmer interns to be exposed to different operations where they can connect and learn from other farmers and apprentices. Interns also had the opportunity to attend additional educational workshops on topics of sustanable agriculture both on the farm and hosted by other regional farms. Interns are also trained in distribution site management and learn related skills such as product inventory, customer service communication, record keeping, food donation tracking and accounting through weekly responsibilities. Additionally, farmer trainees compose weekly ASC member newsletters on a rotating basis, and manage an ASC Instagram page to increase customer investment in the program through education, shared information and exposure to the greater food system. The goal by the end of the season is for interns to be comfortable making management decisions on their own or with mentorship. At the end of the season, ASC interns participate in a business class series in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kutztown University. The SBDC trains interns and other agriculturally focused community members to understand and craft a business model canvas, a contemporary blueprint for a business plan that focuses on their goals in agriculture and prepares them for future action following their training. The ASC also provides training and professional development for community volunteers. Throughout the season 8 - 10 community volunteers assist with ASC distribution sites on a weekly basis. They learn professional skills focusing on customer service and food handling guidelines at the sites. However, they also learn about organic agriculture and guidelines through interaction with RI staff and interns. Other community members volunteer at the farm assisting with harvesting, processing, weed management and other maintenance. Some people only visit once or twice as their time allows; however, there are also many who volunteer on a regular basis. RI hosted two youth groups from vocational programs who volunteered 20 - 25 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks to learn skills that may help them secure jobs in the future. RI also offers a Veteran Farmer training program for military veterans interested in agricultural jobs after their service. The program is very flexible and individuals can choose their area of focus on the farm. This season 5 Veterans were heavily involved with the ASC operations over periods of 4-13 weeks. Their training was integrated into the program much like the ASC internship opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?RI publicizes activities and program results primarily through website articles, social media and as video projects. This season, RI's ASC program was featured in three regional television stories. Two stories were aired by a local news channel (Channel 69) at the beginning of the season to promote access to affordable fresh food within the community. WHYY, an NPR station based in Philadelphia, also broadcast a story highlighting the farmer training program associated with the ASC Program. All of these stories are linked to RI's website and social media outlets to have farther reaching effects. ASC newsletters communicate with program member stakeholders on a weekly basis describing internship experiences and perspectives on sustainable food systems as well as offering recipe ideas for fresh seasonal food. RI publicizes the ASC program for new membership continually from November - June using tools such as web-based media and articles, local television interviews in English and Spanish, radio interviews in English and Spanish, information sessions held at distribution sites, posters, pamphlets, and flyers. And RI disseminates information at farm events as well as at tables at regional and national conferences. RI is also currently building the Head Start Healthy Start teacher training website to be accessible to elementary-age educators nationwide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period there are several goals that we hope to accomplish or improve results. Increase membership to 180 families during the main season and 50 families for the Winter season. One simple way to improve membership is to focus on member retention. Membership renewal is a high priority, we are offering incentives to keep people committed to the ASC. Also, creative marketing and publicizing of the program through community partners may be effective. Increase recruitment efforts for local farmer interns. By engaging more community partners in the search several months before the season begins, we hope to identify some viable candidates who are interested in participating in the program. Community partners may reach different populations than RI through their unique networks. Plan teacher training sessions for Head Start Healthy Start (HSHS) program in winter so RI staff can act as consultants and mentors for the teachers. The program will ultimately be the most successful if teachers can integrate the lessons into their classroom plans in ways that work best for them. RI can learn from their innovations how to standardize or customize the program to serve pre-school teachers on a national scale. Finalize on-line curriculum platform for HSHS program that can be accessible by anyone by spring of 2018. Work with community partners to secure a commercial kitchen site for a food preservation workshop. Plan the date early and publicize through community partners, ASC members and community market visitors to increase food security opportunities in the Northeast's seasonal climate. Work with Allentown Parks and Rec. Dept., Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council, ASC Distribution sites, local schools and other community partners to identify 2 more areas to build small urban food producing gardens.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: RI's ASC Program served 150 families (approx. 450-500 people) of mixed cultural and economic backgrounds over 6 months (June - Nov.). Diverse shares of fresh organic produce were delivered weekly to 5 different regional locations. Weekly egg shares and bi-weekly meat shares were introduced as an option this year. The sites reflected the diversity of the region: 3 sites (66% of shareholders) were located in low-income, underserved areas of Allentown and Reading, PA; 2 sites (33% of shareholders) reached more diversified and middle-income families in Emmaus and Kutztown, PA. All host sites promoted the ASC program through their stakeholder networks to serve as many people as possible. ASC distribution sites: Sacred Heart Hospital Sigal Center, in downtown Allentown, is a health care center that operated an ASC/a la carte farmers' market Thursdays in late afternoon. It is centrally located in the midst of businesses, residences, and arts facilities of the city. It is easily accessible for both pedestrian traffic and public transportation, and offers free parking. The market is located by the main door to the clinic, which serves people of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and employs over 1,000 people. Allentown YMCA, located in a USDA EMS determined low-income low-access area, offers programs in health, wellness, and child development and also hosted an ASC/farmers' market on Saturday mornings. The market operated by the front door and captured facility visitors and local residents. The YMCA offers financial assistance to a large number of low-income individuals to strengthen community health. Berks County Intermediate Unit Education Center (BCIU), is also within a USDA EMS documented low-income low-access area. BCIU houses educational facilities for low-income families such as Head Start, Early Head Start, PreK Counts, Special Education, Professional Training and much more. Rodale General Store, in Emmaus, is located in a middle-income neighborhood and many ASC members (approximately 30%) here paid for the entire season up front. Kremmer's Café and Catering transported farm shares (produce, meat, eggs) free of charge to this site helping with RI's vehicle and staff limitation. Rodale Institute Farm Store, in rural Kutztown hosted an ASC/Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings. This site helped to reach families outside the city and provided opportunity for members to connect with their food source at the farm. The program accepted multiple payment schedules and methods at all sites to serve diverse membership population. 20% of shares were purchased in a lump sum in the spring assisting with early season farm expenses. Weekly share payments were made with cash, credit, debit or SNAP benefits. SNAP users received an incentive through RI's partnership with Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley. Both ASC members and marketgoers using EBT cards for SNAP received up to 50% off their purchase (up to $10.00 off total) of produce. FMNP checks were also accepted at all a la carte farmers' markets. Kremmer's Café and Catering supported shares for low-income families with donations of $150.00/week. And volunteer opportunities provided 8-10 people a week with free shares in exchange for their time. RI piloted the first Winter Share program Nov. 2016 - Feb. 2017 with 30 member families in an effort to increase access to fresh local food during the off-season. Produce and meat shares were offered biweekly for pick up at the farm; members had the same payment options as during the regular season. Goal 2: RI partnered with two community organizations to conduct cooking demonstrations and tastings at two different sites in Allentown. The Food Trust held cooking demonstrations twice each month (June - Nov.) at the Allentown YMCA (see above), using fresh seasonal vegetables available at the market or in ASC shares. The demonstrations were repeated several times each day, attracting 30 - 50 people per day, and provided recipes for convenience. The Allentown Health Bureau provided food tastings with seasonal produce at Sacred Heart Hospital (see above) 1 - 2 times per month. Usually the dishes were prepared ahead of time but recipes were provided for customers. RI staff also conducted a cooking demonstration at Sacred Heart during a Family Fun Fest hosted by Upside Allentown in June 2017 which drew several hundred people of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. ASC members received a weekly e-newsletter composed by ASC staff/interns highlighting recipes and nutritional facts of seasonal produce, notes from the field, and upcoming events. Newsletters were posted on RI's ASC Facebook page exposing nearly 1,000 followers. After the classroom pilot in 2016, RI focused on honing and compiling a curricular package for the Head Start Healthy Start program based on stakeholder feedback. All material is currently being built into a website as a teacher training resource including lesson plans, video instruction, budget outlines, downloadable/printable resources, and more. The PD also spoke with participating Head Start leadership to plan a future local teacher training session. In May, RI hosted a farm field trip for 75 culturally diverse Kindergarten students from Allentown, exposing urban children to organic food production. RI hosted the annual potluck harvest dinner at the farm in mid-August. 20 - 30 community members attended, each bringing a dish to share. Individuals connected with their farmers and each other around a delicious seasonal meal. Members enjoyed self-guided tours around the farm. Goal 3: 8 - 10 local volunteers from diverse economic backgrounds assisted with ASC distributions on a weekly basis. They gained experience in customer service skills, setting upproduce presentations, breaking down displays and facilitating surveys. 6 -12 community members volunteered on the farm throughout the season assisting with planting, cultivation, harvest, high tunnel maintenance, and processing. Two groups of disadvantaged teenagers (total 20 students) assisted with field work for 20 - 25 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks as part of a career training program. Each volunteer received fresh produce for their time. Many regular local volunteers received training congruent to the ASC interns. RI appointed 11 farmer interns in 2017; their terms varied from 3 to 8 months long. The increased flexibility in program commitment attracted diverse candidates to the program (e.g. students), and satisfied increased labor needs during the summer. Three interns completed the 8 month program including a business planning course with the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University. Four interns were college students on summer break. And 3 more started their internship at the end of the season, including one locally-based individual, continuing into the winter to focus on off-season production and planning. Each received learning resources in the form of books, flash drives, in-classroom presentations, tractor training, and hands-on skills experience. RI PD has been in direct contact with graduates from the ASC program. A general update of RI and the ASC is sent out twice a year and an ASC Ambassador Facebook page was established for networking with each other and RI Staff. Subsequent communications with ambassadors vary per individual needs. The PD also connects ambassadors with other organic farming opportunities within their regions. One ASC graduate has established an ASC type business model in his hometown of Bethlehem, PA. Other graduates are farming on family land, running education programs for non-profit organizations, and working for established farmers to gain experience.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period Rodale Institute's Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC)for Fresh Food Access program reached a diverse population through the various program components in operation. The major components of the program included Head Start Healthy Start education program for preschool students; the ASC farm share program; and the ASC Farmer Training program. Each of these branches of programming reached a slightly different target audience population. Rodale Institute (RI) piloted the Head Start Healthy Start program in two Head Start facilities this spring educating children about where their food comes from and what "organic" means through hands-on sensory engaging games and activities including growing their own garden and tasting food that they harvested. RI staff conducted a series of four lessons in three classrooms working with 6 teachers at each site and impacting between 110 - 120 children who were 3-4 years of age from various cultural backgrounds. Each of the children's families would be classified as low-income; "in order to qualify [for Head Start] a family of four must have an income of less than $20,000"(PA Head Start Association, 2016). The demographic break down of the children were as follows: 44% male, 56% female; 50% Hispanic/Latino, 23% African American, 22% Caucasian, and 4% Asian descent. The ASC farm share program is a pay-as-you-go style CSA program. RI delivered weekly diverse shares of organic produce to 150 families (approximately 450-500 people) of mixed cultural and economic backgrounds over a period of 6 months. The sites were strategically located in areas where the program could serve families who may not otherwise have access to fresh, affordable organic food. Two of the sites were located at the Head Start facilities in Allentown and Reading, PA where the Head Start Healthy Start program operated in the early spring. Our largest distribution point was at Sacred Heart Hospital located in downtown Allentown; RI also expanded this site to include a farmers' market that offered additional organic products such as dairy, eggs, meat, coffee, and other value added products. This site captured a high amount of pedestrian traffic from people visiting the hospital's clinic, traversing to other services and retailers nearby, or simply residents living in the neighborhood. This site is also located next to the Health Bureau and Food Bank; excess produce from the market was often donated immediately to the food bank serving the city's poverty stricken and homeless population. Eight to ten community members and trainees from the Health Bureau volunteered weekly at distribution sites in exchange for a free share of produce. The ASC Farmer Training program accepted 6 new farmers (3 men and 3 women) this year to participate in an eight-month training program focused on organic growing skills and business planning. However, only one of them fulfilled their commitment of 8 months. The other individuals participated in the program for varying time periods ranging from three to six months. In addition, the ASC farmer training also engaged two groups of youth volunteers (16 teens of diverse cultural and developmental backgrounds, and 6 adult supervisors) learning job training skills over a period of 6 -8 weeks. Six individual military Veterans also participated in the farmer training program with the ASC for periods of time that varied from 4 to 12 weeks; and various community volunteers helped with field work over the course of the season on regular and irregular bases. References PA Head Start Association. (2016). What is Head Start? Retrieved from PA Head Start Association: http://paheadstart.org/index.php/head-start-basics/what-is-head-start/ Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The ASC has provided opportunities for training and professional development in two different population segments. The ASC integrates a unique and intensive training program for new farmers into an alternative business model; and it also offers community opportunities in job training skills through volunteer positions. The ASC farmer training internship is an eight-month commitment for individuals who are interested in experiencing an entire farming season in a production vegetable operation from last frost to first frost and beyond. However, there are also opportunities for short-term training depending on the interest, skill level, and personal situation of the individual. The training integrates hands-on skills with classroom experiences, regional farm visits, and mentoring. Participants gain a wide range of organic farming skills including greenhouse management, soil health management, field planning, planting techniques, weed management, tractor operation, compost production, plant health management, pest and disease management, high tunnel production, harvesting, processing and packing produce and more. Rodale Institute (RI) is also a founding member of the Tri-State CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) Program. As such, we host an annual field day on a focused topic inviting interns and apprentices from other farms to attend; RI trainees are likewise invited to visit other regional farm field days throughout the season for specific workshop topics. It is a great opportunity for ASC farmer interns to be exposed to different operations where they can connect and learn from other farmers and apprentices. Interns are also trained in distribution site management and learn related skills such as product inventory, customer service communication, record keeping, food donation tracking and accounting through weekly responsibilities. The goal by the end of the season is for interns to be comfortable making management decisions on their own or with mentorship. Additionally, farmer trainees compose weekly ASC member newsletters on a rotating basis to increase customer investment in the program through education, shared information and exposure to the greater food system. At the end of the season, ASC interns participate in a business class series in collaboration with Lehigh University students and faculty. The students work with interns to understand and craft the different sections of a business plan that focuses on their future goals in agriculture and prepares them for future action following their training. They finish with a working draft of a business plan and presentation to manipulate and share with potential funders. It is a learning experience for both the university students and the ASC interns. The ASC also provides training and professional development for community volunteers. Throughout the season 12-15 community volunteers assist with ASC distribution sites on a weekly basis. They learn professional skills focusing on customer service and food handling guidelines at the sites. However, they also learn about organic agriculture and guidelines through interaction with RI staff and interns. Other community members volunteer at the farm assisting with harvesting, processing, weed management and other maintenance. Some people only visit once or twice as their time allows; however, there are also many who volunteer on a regular basis. RI hosted two youth groups from vocational programs who volunteered 18-20 hours per week over a period of 6 weeks to learn skills that may help them secure jobs in the future. RI also offers a Veteran Farmer training program for military veterans interested in agricultural jobs after their service. The program is very flexible and individuals can choose their area of focus on the farm. This season 5 Veterans were heavily involved with the ASC operations over periods of 4-8 weeks. Their training was integrated into the program much like the ASC internship opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?RI publicizes activities and program results primarily through website articles, social media and as video projects. ASC newsletters communicate with program member stakeholders on a weekly basis describing internship experiences and perspectives on sustainable food systems as well as offering recipe ideas for fresh seasonal food. RI also publicizes the ASC program for new membership continually from November - June using tools such as web-based media and articles, local television interviews in English and Spanish, radio interviews in English and Spanish, information sessions held at distribution sites, posters, pamphlets, and flyers. The PD has given presentations to local organizations such as the Lehigh Valley Registered DietitiansGroup to share informationwith a wider population with vested interest. RI also disseminates information at farm events as well as regional and national conferences where we hold a table. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period there are several goals that we hope to accomplish or improve results. Increase membership to 180 families.One simple way to improve membership is to focus on member retention.Membership renewal is a high priority, we are offering incentives to keep people committed to the ASC.Also, creative marketing and publicizing of the program through community partners may be effective.To this end, there has been some staff transition at the Head Start facilities, and our goal is to increase site investment and excitement in the program for improved participation; we need to identify a staff champion for the program who can connect effectively with the population. Increase recruitment efforts for local farmer interns.By engaging more community partners in the search several months before the season begins, we hope to identify some viable candidates who are interested in participating in the program.Community partners may reach different populations than RI through their unique networks. Secure farmer training candidates for longer commitment terms.At the beginning of the season, new farmers are passionate but not always aware of the physical and mental labor and management skills necessary to run a successful agricultural operation. The seasonal flow of Northeast summer climate can become overwhelming for farmer trainees without proper mentorship.Our goal is to harness their passion for success and create a space for guidance and relief to make the internship a positive overall experience. Plan for shareholder potluck early in the season in case conflicts arise. Plan teacher training sessions for Head Start Healthy Start (HSHS) program in winter so RI staff can act as consultants and mentors for the teachers.The program will ultimately be the most successful if teachers can integrate the lessons into their classroom plans in ways that work best for them.RI can learn from their innovations how to standardize or customize the program to serve pre-school teachers on a national scale. Develop on-line curriculum platform for HSHS program that can be accessible by anyone. Work with community partners to secure a commercial kitchen site for a food preservation workshop.Plan the date early and publicize through community partners, ASC members and community market visitors to increase food security opportunities in the Northeast's seasonal climate. Work with Allentown Parks and Rec. Dept. ASC Distribution sites, local schools and other community partners to identify 2 more areas to build small urban food producing gardens.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The ASC program impacts sustainable food access through a multi-pronged approach. Each week nearly 500 local people (150 families) receive fresh locally grown seasonal organic produce at an affordable price. ASC reduces food insecurity by siting pick-ups in low-income neighborhoods and accepting different payment methods including SNAP. RI piloted the Head Start Healthy Start (HSHS) program in two communities engaging 110-120 children and 6 pre-school teachers teaching children about origins of food and sharing fun and delicious healthy food choices. The Head Starts also serve as ASC distribution sites; engaging children and involving families in the educational process has increased participation and improved family nutrition options. Each year the ASC also trains a group of new farmer interns in the skills necessary to run their own agricultural operations; returning to their communities, graduates' new skills help to bolster local economies and increase food security throughout various regions of the country. Goal 1: Increase access of fresh, local, organic produce in underserved low-income communities while creating a replicable business model. 1a. 150 families (450-500 people) participated in the ASC farm share program from various economic and culturalbackgrounds. 23% of these families paid for their seasonal share up front providing farmer access to capital for upfront seasonal costs such as seeds and greenhouse expenses, the rest paid on a weekly basis. 1b. The ASC distribution sites are strategically located in low-income communities or near services that are targeted toward this population. ASC participants do not reveal their income bracket when they sign up, however, SNAP usage increased four times over last year's participation, and Kremmer's Cafe and Catering supported $300.00 per week in subsidized shares enabling 25 families to participate in the ASC at a reduced price point. 1c.& 1e.The ASC ran six distribution sites this year in highly visible community locations with the goal of increasing affordable food access. Two sites were hosted by Head Start facilities in Reading and Allentown. Sacred Heart Hospital in downtown Allentown hosted another site/farmer's market. The hospital's clinic is targeted towards low-income population and it is in a heavily trafficked commercial/residential pedestrian area with several schools, retail outlets, the Health Bureau, Food Bank, and art museum nearby. The Allentown YM/YWCA hosted an ASC/Farmers' Market site on Saturday mornings across the street from a retirement facility providing seniorsan outlet to redeem their FMNP Checks for fresh produce. At Rodale's General Store in Emmaus, membership was split between higher and lower income brackets; many paid for the season in a lump sum giving the farm early season revenue for seeds and other materials. RI also hosted a pick-up on-site with an a la carte produce stand, which drew people to the farm, and served those visiting for educational events. 1d. RI ASC accepted many forms of payment including up front seasonal sums; weekly cash, credit, or EBT cards for SNAP at the site; automatic weekly debit for credit cards, and partial payments subsidized by Kremmer's Cafe and Catering company (Allentown SNAP usersalso received Double Bucks for produce through USDA NIFA FINI grant). Goal 2: Promote healthy eating and local food economy awareness. 2a. RIcollaborated with Cooking Matters, community volunteers, and local chefs to conduct 10 cooking demonstrations at Sacred Heart's ASC/Farmers' Market engaging over 100 people throughout the series making simple, healthy meals with fresh, seasonal produce.4 cooking demos were conducted at the Allentown YM/YWCA engaging over 50 people. RI also introduced a frequent shopper's card where 5 market visits during season earned a gift of their choiceincluding a Seasonal Cookbook or reusable shopping bag. 2b. Each week ASC members receive an e-newsletter with field updates, weekly products from the farm and recipes featuring seasonal items. Recipes are linked to larger bank on our website for additional ideas. ASC interns rotated the responsibilities of writing the weekly newsletter. 2c. RI staff piloted the HSHS program at 2 sites to 110-120 children. In early spring, each of 6 classes started vegetable seeds indoors.Both sites planted seedlings into smallraised beds within playground areas so children could water and monitor plant growth over time. The classes visited RI's farm to see how food is raised on a larger scale. They toured the greenhouse, the vegetable fields, and the livestock areas.Parents participated in planting the gardens and attending the field trip. In May, both classes harvested kale, Swiss Chard, lettuce, radishesand herbs for a tasting party. Students picked and washed the greens, then helped make a homemadeRanch Dressing.They tasted green salads and sauteed kale/chard with garlic and used the dressing to top the greens. 2d. HSHS curriculum consisted of 4 classroom/garden lessons and 1 fieldtrip to the farm. Lessons andactivitiesincluded identifying parts of plants and relating them to foods we eat; understanding what plants need to grow; starting seeds; understanding seeds, "organic", and healthy soil; transplanting and harvesting the garden; and washing, preparing and tasting food. Several activities and bi-lingual worksheets were left with teachersto reinforce the lessons. The teachers had very positive feedback about the children's engagement in the material and the curriculum. 2e. Due to staffing issues and weather conditions we were unable to host the shareholder dinner at the farm this year. Goal 3: Build community food security in local low income/low access communities. 3a. 10-12 volunteers from diverse economic backgrounds assisted with ASC distributions. They gained experience in customer service skills, setting upproduce presentations, and breaking down displays. They facilitated surveys and cooking demonstrations with guest chefs. Each volunteer received a share of fresh produce for their time. 3b. RI created 2 new urban gardens located at the Head Start facilities in both Allentown and Reading. ASC members could potentially have visual access to the gardens and connect with RI Staff and interns about creatinga similar home garden. 3c. RI was not successful at recruiting local interns in 2016. We hope to publicize earlier with additional community partners to successfully fill the opportunities for training in local food systems. 3d. The food preservation class was cancelled this season due to lack of registrations. We intend to increase the publicity and set up a class in a community commercial kitchen next year. Goal 4: Prepare future farmers to replicate the ASC model 4a. RI appointed6 farmer interns for the eight-month educational program. One of them completed the 8-month training; the other five had training periods that varied between 3 and 6 months. Each received learning resources in the form of books, flash drives, in-classroom presentations, tractor training, and hands-on skills experience. One intern completed the business training with students and faculty from Lehigh University. 4b. RI PD has been in direct contact with graduates from the ASC program. A general update of RI and the ASC is sent out twice a year; social media outlets also offer information about programming and opportunities. Subsequent communications with ambassadors vary per individual needs. The PD also connects ambassadors with other organic farming opportunities within their regions. 4c. One ASC graduate has established an ASC type business model in his hometown of Bethlehem, PA. Other graduates are farming on family land, running education programs for non-profit organizations, and working for established farmers to gain experience.
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