This five-year comprehensive research, education, and extension initiative aims to strengthen local and regional food systems in the United States by building local governments’ capacity to reconnect farmers with under-served consumers.

The research team will conduct a national study of innovative food systems policies that simultaneously promote food access and strengthen the local and regional agricultural sector. Drawing on the successes and challenges of these policies, the team will develop policy tools and provide technical assistance to 20 vulnerable urban and rural communities in the United States. The technical assistance is designed to build the capacity of their local government staff, extension educators, consumers, and farmers to develop and implement more effective food system policies.

In order to nurture the next generation of food systems policy thinkers and professionals, the team will prepare and disseminate multi-disciplinary curricular materials on food systems planning and policy for adoption in universities across the United States.

Partners: American Farmland Trust,  American Planning Association, Cultivating Healthy Places, Ohio State University, and the University at Buffalo (project lead)

Sponsor(s): Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Visit the dedicated project site: http://growingfoodconnections.org/