Community, Food, and Agriculture Program

2006 Impact statement
  • Gillespie, Gilbert W.

abstract

Community, Food, and Agriculture Program developed innovative ways of promoting community and economic development through local enterprises in agriculture and food. It worked with development professionals located in communities to implement locally-suited programs.

submitted by

issue being addressed

Many communities in New York and in other states face challenges in retaining agriculture and food enterprises as well as having employment and revenue generating activities.

response

We worked with the more than 100 agriculture development professionals out there (Cornell Cooperative Extension, planners, non-governmental organizations) in experimenting with and implementing ways in which communities can support agriculture (and vice versa). In this work, we developed innovative ways of approaching the problem of community and economic development, including agricultural heritage areas and the Growing Home Guide.

impact assessment

In the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, the Growing Home community development process was used to bring different interests together, including different grape cooperatives, wineries, tourism agencies, and local governments, to undertake projects supporting the grape industry.
The Agricultural Community Economic Development Extension Program Work Team has helped to inform extension educators about the potential for this type of development.

has funding source

key personnel

Duncan Hilchey (Development Sociology)

department, unit, division

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on June 21, 2007