Community Food Systems

Growing a Community Food System, by Steven Garrett, Washington State University Extension faculty and Gail Feenstra, UC SAREP (1999). Community Ventures Series, Western Regional Extension Publication, WREP0135. This is a practical publication for professionals and community non-profits interested in developing local or regional community food system projects. It defines the concept of a community food system, and describes steps for developing projects, including coalition building, strategic planning, resource development, community assessment, project infrastructure, project implementation and evaluation. It describes two community food systems models, the Tahoma Food System in Tacoma Wash., and PlacerGROWN, in Placer County, Calif. to illustrate these concepts. To order, send U.S. check or money order payable to “UC Regents” (note title of publication on check) for $2.50 to UC SAREP, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616-8716; Tel: (530) 752-7556; Fax: (530) 754-8550; Email: sarep@ucdavis.edu; World Wide Web: http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu

Learning from Community Gardens

Entrepreneurial Community Gardens: Growing Food, Skills, Jobs and Communities, by Gail Feenstra and Sharyl McGrew (UC SAREP), and David Campbell (California Communities Program), 110 pages, 1999, University of California DANR Publication 21587. Market gardens have gained attention as ways to enhance community economic development, increase community food security and employ local residents. These gardens are promising vehicles for providing job training, life skills, educational opportunities, improving the quality of life and forming creative collaborations in local communities. This study describes conditions under which they prosper or fail, and provides comparative data to help new garden projects judge their own capacities. The report includes a comparative analysis of 27 entrepreneurial gardens, five case studies and appendices with urban agriculture and gardening contacts, a contact list of entrepreneurial community gardens, business development resources and funding opportunities for job creation and training in urban agriculture. The price is $10 (Calif. residents add 8.25% sales tax) plus shipping and handling. To order, contact University of California, DANR Communication Services, 6701 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608-1239; Tel: (800) 994-8849 or (510) 642-2431; Fax: (510) 643-5470; Email: danrcs@ucdavis.edu Payment may be by VISA or MasterCard, U.S. check or money order (payable to “UC Regents”) or purchase order.

Direct Market Law Guide

Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing, 235 pages, 1999, Neil Hamilton, Drake University Agricultural Law Center. Farmers and ranchers involved or interested in direct marketing will find answers to pressing legal questions in this guide, funded by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Funded by North Central Region SARE’s Professional Development Program, the Legal Guide answers common questions about laws on marketing products directly to consumers and to retail and wholesale buyers. Hamilton wrote the book for farmers involved in direct marketing produce, livestock and other food products, and for farm advisors, including extension educators and attorneys working with farm marketers. Twelve chapters cover legal issues on farmers markets; on-farm businesses; contracts, food stamps and getting paid; advertising, organic certification and eco-labels; land use and property law; labor and employment; insurance and liability; and inspection, processing and food safety. Included are contacts and resources throughout the U.S. Hamilton teaches agricultural law and raises fresh vegetables on his Iowa farm for sale to restaurants. Cost: $20. Contact Drake University Agricultural Law Center, Des Moines, IA 50311; (515) 271-2947. Volume discounts are available on orders of 20 or more.

Urban Ag in Cuba

Cultivating Havana: Urban Agriculture and Food Security in the Years of Crisis, IFDP Development Report No. 12, by Catherine Murphy, 58 pages. The Institute for Food and Development Policy/Food First. This report describes the success of the urban agriculture movement in Havana as part of Cuba’s national transformation to sustainable agriculture. With more than 8,000 hectares of urban farms, 25,000 urban farmers, and hundreds of researchers and extension workers, Havana has become a leader in urban agriculture. Aimed at Cuba policy and sustainable development professionals and educators. To view the Executive Summary and Table of Contents access http://www.foodfirst.org/pubs/. To order, send a check or money order for $9 ($6 + $3 shipping and handling) to The Institute for Food and Development Policy (Food First), 398 60th Street, Oakland, CA. 94618. California residents add 8.25 percent sales tax. International orders must be prepaid in US dollars and require an additional $1 for shipping. Credit card orders can be made by phone at (510) 654-4400, or order on the Web at http://www.foodfirst.org/pub/