Community Agriculture Resource Review
In partnership with the New Castle Conservation District and NRCS, DEUFFC will be conducting a “community agriculture resource review.” More information about the project can be found down below.
Make sure to scroll down the page to learn how YOU can be involved!
Project Overview
Background
When DEUFFC started back in 2007, there were only a handful of people/organizations engaged with urban agriculture, which made it easy to know what everyone was working on, build relationships, and make decisions that would benefit the whole. As urban/community agriculture has gained more momentum the number of individuals and organizations engaged in the local food space as has also increased. With more people involved we have seen new partnerships, community focused projects, and far reaching impacts. However this also comes with a downside. The initial support network isn’t able to keep pace with the rapidly expanding interest leading to redundancy in efforts, challenges in communication, and some uncertainty on how to best move forward.
What is a Community Agriculture Resource Review?
Similar to a community mapping process, the Community Agriculture Resource Review is a collaborative project to document the numerous urban gardens and farms in our area and the programs that support them. These resources will then be reviewed to identify Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats, referred to as a SWOT analysis. Once the analysis is complete, a report will be released detailing the findings and providing a list of recommendations for progressing urban agriculture throughout the county.
How to Get Involved
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Urban Farms
For those individuals or businesses that are aiming to make a profit from the selling of agricultural products grown in an urban, suburban, or peri-urban setting.
Schedule an Interview- Visit our scheduling page to set up an interview with our team to discuss your operation. Interviews ideally would be done in person (we’d come to you) but can also be done virtually. When scheduling this visit we will allot 60 minutes for our visit however, we will not necessarily use the entire hour. If you would like to participate and cannot find a time on our schedule please contact us directly.
Take Our Urban Grower Survey - If you are directly involved in the production element of your operation would love to hear more about specific journey. Take this 10 minute survey to help us better understand your operation.
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Community Gardens
For those individuals who serve as community garden coordinators or in other leadership roles or those who garden at community gardens.
Schedule a Garden Chat- Visit our scheduling page to set up a group discussion with of some (or all) of your community gardeners with our team. We’ll discuss your garden’s story, success, and challenges. To best accommodate schedules these will be held virtually. When scheduling we will allot a full hour however, we will not necessarily use it. If you would like to participate and cannot find a time on our schedule please contact us directly.
Take Our Coordinator Survey - If you are in position that helps with the running and/or coordination of a community garden we would love to hear more about specific needs. Take this 10 minute survey to help us learn more about your garden (and share it with your coordinator friends.)
Take Our Community Gardener Questionnaire- If participate with a community garden we hear about your experience. Fill out this short questionnaire and share it with your fellow community gardeners!
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Assisting Organizations
For those organizations that provide a service, education, funding, or other resources with urban farms and gardens.
Schedule an Interview- Visit our scheduling page to set up an interview with our team to discuss your organization and the service you provide. Interviews can be done in person (we come to you) or virtually. When scheduling this visit we will allot 60 minutes for our visit however, we will not necessarily use the entire hour. If you would like to participate and cannot find a time on our schedule please contact us directly.
Submit Resources- Does your organization have handouts, brochures, or a website that you use as part of your outreach efforts? We’d love to see them. All resources can be emailed to Madison.walter@delaware.gov.
Why it Matters.
We firmly believe that having this information available for all to use will lead to stronger advocacy for the whole urban ag community and help campaign for policies, practices, and partnerships that support a more resilient and just local food system. Additionally, these recommendations can provide a direction to engage existing and new stakeholders to move the urban agriculture community forward in a collective voice. Together we will make more efficient use of our resources and maximize our impact.
Why Should You Be Involved?
Aside from the “big picture” impacts of this project, the community agriculture resource review also has many other direct impacts for urban growers. These include:
Being able to use the information to gain support for your farm/garden through technical resources, education programs, and financial opportunities
Sharing your story to inspire others and be inspired by others stories in return
Growing your network of like-minded individuals that share your passion
This project is being completed in partnership with the New Castle Conservation District and financial support for the Natural Resource Conservation Service. If you have questions about this project, please contact Madison Walter at madison.walter@delaware.gov or call (302) 832-8983.