Local Foods advisory committeeNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension August 28th, 2014

What does Cooperative Extension do????

• “Empower people and provide solutions”

• We are the link between the research at the University and its practical application on the ground.

• Its our job to help find the answers.

• Help you tell your story.

Our 4 goals during a time of change

• Define and focus our most competitive and needed programs

• Strengthen our impacts and value to the citizens, the counties, and North Carolina

• Create financial flexibility to align our resources to priorities

• Develop a staffing model that aligns to our new fiscal reality, provides competitive salaries, and strengthens our workforce capacity and value.

Current Priorities in Transylvania County• Farm production issues

• Respond to consumer questions

• Small business development/ investigating new markets

• Our farmers market

• Grants (Ag Options, USDA, TVA, NRCS, ect.)

• Presentations to groups (Master Gardeners, Youth Camps, Schools, Non-profits, etc.)

• Pollinator conservation

• Hunger awareness?

What we’re asking

• Help Cooperative Extension’s local foods program focus on the needs of this community

• Be an advocate for Cooperative Extension

• Assist with the execution of the goals we create

• Provide feedback and constructive criticism on how we’re doing

• Meet 3-4 times a year.

What is your definition of local?

A. Transylvania County

B. North CarolinaC. Within 50-100

milesD. Within 100-200

milesE. From ‘Merikuh

Transy

lvania County

North Caro

lina

With

in 50-100 mile

s

With

in 100-200 mile

s

From ‘M

erikuh

17%

8%

0%

17%

58%

What type of work do you do?A. Farming- livestockB. Farming- Fruit and

veggie productionC. Farming- Row

cropsD. Farm Support-

GovernmentalE. Farm support-

Non-profit/ privateFa

rming- li

vestock

Farm

ing- Fru

it and ve

ggi...

Farm

ing- Row cr

ops

Farm

Support-

Governm...

Farm

support-

Non-pro

fit...

54%

8% 8%

31%

0%

What time works best for you to meet?

A. Early mornings (with Breakfast)

B. Mid dayC. After work

(5:30ish) D. Weekends

Early m

ornings

(with

Br...

Mid day

After work

(5:30ish

)

Weeke

nds

92%

0%8%

0%

I am willing to pay $3.00 for breakfast

A.TrueB.False

True

False

0%

100%

My favorite college football team is:

A. NCSU Wolfpack!!!

B. I hate freedom

NCSU

Wolfp

ack!!!

I hate

freedom

67%

33%

What are your major barriers to success?

• Heavy pest pressure?

• Access to consistent markets?

• Market saturation?

• Access to credit/ capital?

• Poor communication/ collaboration between groups?

• ????

What kind of projects would you like to see CES focus on?

• Crop Mob?

• Assisting the farmers market with expansion?

• Improving collaborations with private industry?

• Grant opportunities?

• Small business management?

• Improving collaboration among farmers?

• Food insecurity/ hunger awareness?

• Ag breakfasts?

• Livestock workshops (fencing, vaccinations, FAMACHA, meat processing)?

• ????