Learning about Food in Urban Communities

IMPACT. 1: This publication was developed by an OSU Extension team as a part of an urban agriculture overlay project and supported by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Challenge grant. This resource will help cultivate community through food-related education and sustain economic development. -- 2. Residents will receive consultation and educational programs from OSU's faculty, students and staff in the field of agriculture, community development, business management and marketing. -- 3. Residents will have an opportunity to learn about food production, preservation, distribution and preparation.OSU PARTNERS: College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; OSU Extension; Knowlton School of ArchitectureCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Godman Guild Association; Community Economic Development of Central Ohio; Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; Waggenbrenner Development; Local MattersPRIMARY CONTACT: Susan Colbert (colbert.22@osu.edu)It's an exciting challenge to better connect OSU/ CFAES/Extension with our cities. Weinland Park is an urban neighborhood located between downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University. With the help of community, corporate, civic, church and university partners, this community is being revitalized with food as a focus for transformation. The OSU Extension team focused on the education component of a recent project in the Weinland Park community, conducting a Community Food Assessment Survey, piloting educational workshops, facilitating strategic planning dialogues, meeting with stakeholders at numerous events and engaging in ongoing interaction through the University DistrictExtension office. Extension educators set the stage for stable relationships, interorganizational linkages and feedback upon which localized food systems could be built. Urban agriculture is increasingly recognized by public health professionals, urban planners, community organizations and policymakers as a valuable tool for economic development, preservation of green space and improvement of food security. One of the programs emerging in 2014 is an urban farmer program. Future research revolves around urban community food system developments throughout the state