1. Community Food System Assessments An Engagement and Data Collection Tool to “Peel Back the Layers”

2. Identify community priorities Identify resources and gaps Evaluate existing resources Discover the opinions of producers and consumers Discover policies and environmental challenges related to the food system Discover best practices and make recommendations for change What the Assessment Can Do:

3. Understanding the trends and relationships between elements within the food system, ultimately assists community members and policy makers in pinpointing areas of concern and working for appropriate and equitable change.

5. “Appalachian Roots” Priorities: 1. Expand Farmers Market 2. Address Health Disparities 3. Economic Development Core Team: -St. Vincents Mission -Big Sandy Area Development District -Extension (Horticulture) -Local Farmer -Big Sandy Community College -Local Health Department Floyd County- Prestonsburg

6. Lessons Learned Community Colleges Conversation as momentum Extension experience Evaluate first meetings Long distance organizing Clarify roles

7. Bowling Green ”Barren River Food Systems Alliance” Priorities: -Food Security -Farmer Support -Economic Development Core Team: -Farmers -Health Department -Barren River Area Development District -WKU -Growing…

8. Lessons Learned -Get ORGANIZED -Case Studies -Learn what is out there -Support relationships -Test drive surveys -New Structure -Evaluation and Remembering -Institutional Survey

9. RoleResponsibilityTime Commitment Facilitator “Encourager” Organize meetings, monitor progress, liaison between research partners and community, help provide necessary materials Varies according to the stage of the project. This is a potentially funded position. -Part-time Job Steering Committee Approve and guide decisions, monitor progress, develop goals, assist in data collection, help compile a finished report Meetings once a month 2 hours per month Work Group Members Develop work plans, collect data with research partners, Analyze data with research partners Meetings once a month 2 hours per month + time to collect data

10. Steering Committee Farming -Communication -Outreach Consumption Processing, Distribution, Aggregation

11. Community Organizing Structure first Make a plan for decision making Roles MUST be clear Explore ways for stakeholders to get involved Focus on the positive-don’t ignore the negative Leadership on the Ground Research Agencies, Local Colleges, Universities, Team Members Start with what you already know Start with Focus Groups Develop questions based on scale, readiness and goals Evaluation Community Readiness Relationships Methods

12. Want to Learn More? Heather Hyden- Heather@cfaky.orgHeather@cfaky.org Tel: (615)-975-5459 Follow us on: @Farmallianceky

13. Berea