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It is the recommendation of this leadership team that we continue forward with the route 85 agriculture education center project.  Trends, within our community, across the state, and even across the country, show that investment in locally grown food sources, agricultural  entrepreneurship, and building food systems infrastructure will be parts of growing communities in rural settings.

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How should you adapt them to better suit the particular circumstances of your community?

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How should you adapt them to better suit the particular circumstances of your community?

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Everything must be implemented on a much smaller scale to begin with.  Such projects will need to naturally build momentum to suit the environment of the community.

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Does it seem like these strategies could work in your community?

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Does it seem like these strategies could work in your community?

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These strategies seem like they could work on a different scale.  The community will need to take on the advancement of the project to fit its desire and willingness to invest.

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Do other conditions (political, social, economic geographic, climactic, etc.) suggest that this strategy could work?

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Do other conditions (political, social, economic geographic, climactic, etc.) suggest that this strategy could work?

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Similar work is being done across the entire country in different scales.  Thanks to Covid-19, people have lost faith in our supply lines, particularly in terms of food.  The federal and state governments are making new investments in agriculture related projects.

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Dig In Inc is willing to take the first steps towards making the project work on its most essential needs.  Expansion will eventually require additional support from the community or other organizations.

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Will the community have enough resources to do what needs to be done?

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Will the community have enough resources to do what needs to be done?

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The community is overflowing with the necessary space, materials, and even individuals who are will to take on the work.  It just needs to see that it is possible to do this here.

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To get the project on its feet and functional, yes.  But for the project to grow to fill the actual community demand it will take a larger investment from its people to gain the possible opportunities that it could potentially provide.

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The community let Dig In Members knows that they were interested in learning more about growing their own food.

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These projects work because they essentially provide the majority of all investment materials to the interested community members.  By not charging for anything, the community could feel justified in taking on a role in the project without fear of losing their investment.

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Dig In opened the garden to any member of the public to take part by leasing a free garden bed for the season.  All the beds were eventually leased.  Additional volunteers assisted in assembling the project and doing routine maintenance.

Dig In Members regularly set up the farmers market for each market day.

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Both projects were spearheaded by Dig In Inc.  The organization recognized the lack of local food access.  Then, to took steps towards building infrastructure to support the expansion of this access.

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Supporting food generation and access in the community.

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1. Open meeting
2. Recap Last Meeting
3. Discuss local successes
A. Community Garden
B. Farmers Market
4. Discuss Regional Successes
A. Sprouting Farms
B. Fresh Start
C. Monticello Ongoing Revitalization Effort
5. Decide on the three cores that we want to focus on.
6. Layout the answers for the guiding questions.
7. Discuss availability for next meeting.
8. Layout action steps before next meeting.

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1. Promote the expansion of access to locally sourced foods from both consumer and commercial sources.

2. Provide living examples to the community as proof of the possibilities that can take place right here in our community.

3. Provide educational opportunities to interested members of the community that wish to take the initiative in becoming involved in raising food in any fashion.

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https://fb.watch/91oQjvGA5M/

The Monticello Ongoing Revitalization Effort is a long term, ongoing, effort of a small community to breath life back into their community.  Their efforts take many different ideas and approaches to accomplish this goal.  Located in the Monticello area of Clarksburg, WV.  The long chain of accomplishments have centered around the Kelly Miller Community Center. The link provided is a great inside look at their efforts produced by the Hub in Charleston, WV.

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Fresh Start is a great program that focuses on the rehabilitation of those recovering from Substance Use Disorder.  The program provides instruction in agriculture, self development, counseling, and self management.  The participants work to better themselves while providing food to organizations serving the disadvantaged in their community.

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Sprouting Farms is a large scale agriculture production, education, and cooperation center.  Located in Talcott, WV.  They provide educational opportunities for a variety concepts from standard in ground, high tunnels, or even the businesses end of the process.  They also hold regular market sales through the summer and spring.  It’s even possible to lease space to grow on or even serve as an apprentice or intern.  Their ability to maintain their opportunities while expanding the programs they offer has set a great example of the great interest in agriculture and local food access.

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The things going on in other communities that have inspired us to try similar things here.

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Donna Taylor (county prosecutor), Josh Barker (state auditors office), Kent Leonhardt (WV Commissioner of Agriculture), Forest Dolin (Dig In)

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The Market has run for two years.  Despite being opened alongside Covid, the market has had varied success.  Above all else it has showed the great demand for locally sourced foods in Boone County.

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Our Community Garden project in Madison, WV.
Ran from May to October of 2021.
We had 10 garden beds.  Each was leased (at no cost) to members of the community.
Supplies, seedlings, and education (when requested) was provided to participants.  This project was meant to introduce community members with limited access to space a location to grow food for their own purposes.

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Things within our community that serve as examples of what our community likes, will support, and be involved with.