HomeMy WebLinkAbout20092659.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE APPLICATION FOR COLORADO HERITAGE PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM
AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Application for the Colorado Heritage
Planning Grant Program from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board
of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Public
Health and Environment, and the Counties of Larimer and Boulder, to the Colorado Department
of Local Affairs, Office of Smart Growth, commencing upon full execution, with further terms and
conditions being as stated in said application, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that the Application for the Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program among
the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, and
the Counties of Larimer and Boulder, to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Office of Smart
Growth, be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to
sign said application.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by
the following vote on the 12th day of October, A.D., 2009.
ATTEST:
Weld. County CI
Clerk to the Bo
BOARD OF C UNTY COMMISSIONERS
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U�lilliam F. Garcia, Chair
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,.' Douglas Rademache
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Depot Clerk o the Board J
APPROVED AS TO Fa2M:
ounty Attorney
Date of signature
ara Kirkmeyer
David E. Long
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2009-2659
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COLORADO
Memorandum
TO: William F. Garcia, Chair
Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Mark E. Wallace, MD, MPH, Director
Department of Pu
Environment
DATE: September 25, 2009
Health,4
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SUBJECT: Northern Colorado Regional Food
System Assessment grant application
Enclosed for Board review and approval is a funding application for a Colorado Heritage
Planning Grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to implement a Regional Food
Systems Assessment in Northern Colorado. The time period for the grant is 11 months once
approved.
The amount of funding requested from DOLA is $24,000.00 with a match of $24,000.00 divided
between the three counties. Larimer/Ft Collins will match $10,000.00, Weld County $8,000.00
and Boulder County $6,000.00. The Weld County matching funds will come from the LiveWell
grant and the remaining Steps funding.
Weld, Larimer and Boulder counties will work cooperatively to conduct a regional food system
assessment. A food system assessment is the first, baseline step in understanding the components
and interrelationships of the regional food system in order to strengthen it through enhanced
coordination. The food system touches many aspects of a community's quality of life. Local food
production relates to land use, environmental stewardship, open space, cultural aspects of food
and culinary arts and food transportation. Moreover, food production, processing, distribution
and marketing make important contributions to regional economic vitality. Finally, the absence
or abundance of available supplies of healthy, nutritious food has profound effects on public
health outcomes.
The Director of the Larimer County Rural Land use Center, Linda Hoffman, will serve as the
coordinator for the Food System Assessment grant, if approved. Weld and Boulder Counties will
provide the support staff resources to oversee the effort in their respective counties. In Weld
County, LiveWell staff will be the project team. All Counties will use their facilities to host
county project lead team meetings, focus group meetings, and public gatherings required to
conduct the assessment.
I recommend your approval of the application.
Enclosure
2009-2659
STATE OF COLORADO
Department of Local Affairs
Office of Smart Growth
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program
APPLICATION
A. GENERAL AND SUMMARY INFORMATION
(For Use by State)
1. Name/Title of Proposed Project: Northern Colorado Regional Food Systems Assessment
2. Applicants: Lead: Larimer County
Co -Applicants: Boulder County, Weld County
Other Participating Agencies: Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority
and Colorado State University, Extension
Chief Elected Official (In the case of a multi -jurisdictional application, chief elected official of the
"lead" political subdivision):
Name: Kathay Rennels Title: Chair, Larimer County Board of County Commissioners
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190
Phone: (970) 498-7010
E-mail Address: krennels@larimer.org Fax: (970) 498-7006
Designated Contact Person for the Application:
Name: Linda Hoffmann Title: Director, Larimer County Rural Land Use Center
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190
Phone: (970) 498-7681
E-mail Address: Ihoffmann@larimer.org Fax: (970) 498-7716
5a. Amount requested: $24,000.00. Does the applicant jurisdiction have the ability to receive and
spend state grant funds under TABOR spending limitations? Yes X No_
If no, please explain.
5b. Does the applicant plan to or need to seek voter -approval of this state fund? Yes_ No X
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 1
6. Brief Description of Proposed Project (100 words or less).
The three counties will work cooperatively to conduct a regional food system assessment. A food
system assessment is the first, baseline step in understanding the components and interrelationships of
the regional food system in order to strengthen it through enhanced coordination. The food system
touches many aspects of a community's quality of life. Local food production relates to land use,
environmental stewardship, open space, cultural aspects of food and culinary arts, as well as the carbon
footprint of transporting food. Moreover, food production, processing, distribution and marketing make
important contributions to regional economic vitality. Finally, the absence or abundance of available
supplies of healthy, nutritious food has profound effects on public health outcomes.
B. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Provide for all participating local governments)
Population
1. What was the 2005 population of each of the applicant jurisdictions?
Larimer County: 276,755
Boulder County: 288,105
Weld County: 227,807
2. What are the current estimated populations for each of the applicant jurisdictions?
What is the source of the estimate? What is the growth rate for the past 5 years?
Source of estimate: State Demography Office, Division of Local Government,
Department of Local Affairs, State of Colorado
Current Estimated Population and 5 -Year Growth Rate by Applicant Jurisdiction:
Larimer Co: 276,755, with average annual growth rate over past 5 years of 1.8%
Boulder Co: 288,105, with average annual growth rate over past 5 years of 0.9%
Weld Co: 227,807, with average annual growth rate over past 5 years of 3.7%
3. What are the population projections for the applicant jurisdictions in 5 years?
What is the source of the projections? NOTE: The Demography Section of the
Department of Local Affairs prepares population projections for all counties in Colorado.
Municipal and special district population projections will need to be prepared using the
best available local data.
Source of estimate: State Demography Office, Division of Local Government,
Department of Local Affairs, State of Colorado
Projected Population in 2014 and 5 -Year Growth Rate by Applicant Jurisdiction:
Larimer Co: 325,387, with projected average annual growth rate during next 5
years of 2.0%
Boulder Co: 313,199, with projected average annual growth rate during next 5
years of 1.0%
Weld Co: 293,726, with projected average annual growth rate during next 5 years
of 3.2%
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 2
C. PROJECT BUDGET & FUNDING SOURCES
Expenditures
Revenue
(Dollar for Dollar Cash Match is Strongly Encouraged)
Funding
Committed
List Budget Line Items (Examples: consultant
services, GIS/mapping, printing, etc.)
List the sources of matching funds and indicate either cash
or in -kind contribution
Yes/No
Cash In -Kind
Graduate student research
services for data collection and
analysis*
$28,000
Heritage Planning Grant —
Requested Amount
$ 24,000
`.
N
Meeting expenses including
mileage, refreshments,
advertising, printing
$14,000
Larimer County
$4,000
See Note A.
Y
Final report preparation and
printing
$6,000
Boulder County**
$6,000
See Note B
N
Development of Food
$5,000
Weld County
$8,000
See Note B
Y
Assessment Template for
statewide use by Extension
counties/regions
Fort Collins Downtown
$6,000
Y
Development Authority
CSU Extension
$5,000
Y
* 2 Graduate student researchers are
anticipated (one with more economics and
data analysis expertise and one with more
agricultural/food expertise). They are
anticipated to be working for 7 months and
compensated $2,000 each per month.
Extension personnel will work on using this
pilot project to develop a template for
**On August 20, 2009 the Boulder County Food and Agriculture
regional food assessments for broader use in
Policy Advisory Council voted to support the regional food system
the state.
assessment proposal and to request funding from the Board of
The grant funds will cover the first $24,000 of
this cost with all other expenses paid using
local match funds.
County Commissioners. It is anticipated that the County
Commissioners will take action on the request in the next 30-50
days.
TOTAL
$53,000
TOTAL
$53,000
$
Please distinguish which expenditures will be paid
out of local match v. grant funds
Please attach a more detailed budget if available/applicable
Note A: Larimer County will provide the lead staff resources to oversee the work. Providing these services in-
house eliminates the need for consultant services to coordinate the work. In addition, Larimer County will use
their facilities to host steering committee meetings, county project lead team meetings, focus group meetings,
and public gatherings required to conduct the assessment.
Note B: Boulder and Weld Counties will provide the support staff resources to oversee the effort in their
respective counties. Providing these services in-house eliminates the need for consultant services to coordinate
the work. In addition, both Counties will use their facilities to host county project lead team meetings, focus group
meetings, and public gatherings required to conduct the assessment.
Refer to Attachment A, Regional Food System Assessment Outline and Budget for
additional information.
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 3
D. RELATIONSHIP TO GROWTH IMPACTS. The statutory purpose of the Colorado
Heritage Planning Grant program is to provide financial assistance to local
governments "in anticipating and addressing the unique public impacts caused by
growth." This section of the application provides an opportunity for the applicant to
describe jurisdictional and regional growth impacts, and the relationship of the
application to those impacts. Please refer to the project selection criteria on pages 3-
4 of the program guidelines.
1. Briefly describe the range and extent of negative growth impacts and the extent
to which the proposed project addresses those impacts.
Growth and urbanization impact the availability of agricultural land particularly
when the pattern of growth is characterized by low density, sprawling
footprints and little coordination on maintaining adjacent parcels that allow for
a critical mass of agricultural activity. This loss of rural land also has obvious
negative implications for aesthetics and open space. Perhaps less obvious are
the negative impacts the loss of rural land has on agriculture and the
availability of a secure local source of healthy foods. The food system is not
unlike all other infrastructure systems in that when one segment of the
process is stressed, the whole system suffers. If we can better understand the
relationships between agricultural production, local capacity for food
processing, the availability of market venues, and the impacts of healthy food
supply on public health, we can begin to shore up weaknesses in the system
and influence policy decisions which may serve to enhance the industry's
performance. This food system assessment will be the foundation for those
efforts. The process to complete the food system assessment will begin
community dialogue and raise public awareness.
Urbanites far outnumber the rural population. If the urban population feels
disconnected from agricultural production, agricultural needs go unanswered
given the realities of a political economy. If, on the other hand, agricultural
production and food supply are linked in the public's mind, the value of
supporting rural land elevates in importance. Through focus groups, public
forums and electronic media, this study will engage people from all
components of the food system and reach out to the general public to better
quantify, document, and teach the relationship between agriculture, local food,
and land use.
2. Why is a regional, multi -jurisdictional response to growth impacts required?
The food system is regional. Farmers, food, and consumers all travel across
county boundaries to participate in various supply chain and purchasing
activities. Protecting and strengthening the regional food system will maintain
the critical mass necessary for both commercial agricultural production and
more targeted direct market farmers to survive. For example, if insufficient
agriculture exists in an area to maintain a healthy infrastructure of agricultural
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 4
equipment and supply businesses, agriculture is further stressed and more
likely to fail. If farmers can't be successful farming, they are more likely to sell
out to development interests and the cycle gains momentum.
Weld, Larimer and Boulder counties need to work together to understand the
regional food system because of the inter -dependence among these counties.
For example, Weld County is the largest agricultural producer and the hub of
agricultural support services in the region. Boulder County and Larimer
County both have concentrated consumer bases with strong cultures favoring
local food sources. The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority is
considering a Community Marketplace proposal, which would serve as a year-
round market venue for local food products. Boulder County has formed a
Food Policy Council to advise their Board of County Commissioners on food
system matters. All three counties have Live Well programs that are actively
addressing public health, food security, and nutrition/obesity issues with
targeted populations. Improved coordination and cooperation among these
various resources and program initiatives will result from the process of
conducting a Regional Food System Assessment.
3. List and briefly describe the objective(s) of the proposal.
The overall goals of the assessment will be the same in all three counties, but
each County will develop and pursue individual objectives within those
broader goals. Each County will utilize a citizens group as a Steering
Committee. Those groups have not yet been formed but will be involved in the
development of the County objectives and detailed plans of work. The overall
goals of the study are:
1. Develop an understanding of the existing state of the local food system in
relationship to public health, economic development, and quality of life.
2. Identify economic development opportunities related to agricultural
production resulting from gaps in the local food system and evolving
market venues.
3. Document needs and possible projects to fulfill those needs in
anticipation of forthcoming state and federal programs for funding
designed to strengthen local/regional food systems.
Larimer County's draft objectives are:
• Identify projects needed to adapt existing agricultural infrastructure to
more contemporary agricultural models
• Determine the feasibility and value of a "linkages" program to match
available land and water with beginning farmers
• Quantify consumer preferences for local food production
• Strengthen and expand connections among segments of the food
system to enhance its vigor and efficiency
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 5
Weld County's draft objectives are:
• Determine the feasibility of a year around farmer's market in Greeley
and/or in another location in Weld County.
• Quantify information that can be used by local policymakers to guide
land use decisions that will enhance the local agricultural economy.
• Identify needed projects to connect agricultural producers with food
retail systems (e.g., grocery stores, farm stands, school cafeterias)
• Determine the sustainability of the local food supply chain for citizens
during an emergency when normal access is severely limited.
Boulder County's draft objectives are:
• Expand upon economic impact of local food system study recently
completed by Food Policy Council
• Extrapolate data collected during Longmont food system assessment
underway to relate that node to the regional food system
• Quantify the impact of the agricultural production accomplished on
Boulder County Open Space to the regional food system
• Identify potential projects or policy changes that could strengthen the
food system within Boulder County
The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority intends to use the
Regional Food System Assessment to address two questions:
• Do gaps exist in local food production that could impact the feasibility
of the Marketplace concept?
• What types of food products (direct from farm and value added) could
be produced locally that are not currently?
• What are the barriers that exist for direct market farmers and food
producers?
4. To what extent is the project innovative in goals and/or approach?
The Regional Food System Assessment is patterned off of models used in
other communities across the nation. Typically a food assessment considers
food/agricultural production, food processing, marketing and access, and
public health. This assessment will gather existing data in all four of those
focus areas, identifying gaps and extrapolating data where appropriate to
help form a more complete image of the regional food system. Few Colorado
communities have undertaken food system assessments, which will make
the undertaking innovative within our state.
5. To what extent will the project have demonstration value (i.e., yield results that
could be replicated in or provide useful information to other jurisdictions or
regions)?
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension intends to use this
Regional Food System Assessment as a case study to create a tool kit for
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 6
use in other Colorado communities to conduct food assessment. That work
will be done following completion of the work outlined in this proposal.
Recently, CSU Extension began a Local Food Systems Strategic Initiative,
which will stretch across a variety of Work Teams including Sustaining
Colorado Ag, Small Acreage, Food Safety, Nutrition and Sustainable
Community Development. As one objective of this initiative, Extension
personnel will seek ways that they can provide technical assistance to food
policy and local governmental organizations interested in the development
aspects of local food systems. From this project's pilot food assessment,
the team will refine the approach and develop a template that other
communities in the state can use to assess their own area.
6. To what extent does the project involve multiple private and public partners in
identifying and addressing impacts? Please provide letters that demonstrate
community support from applicable local civic groups and associations.
Each county will use existing staff resources to administer the study and
help conduct the work without the aid of consultants. Larimer County will
work through their Agricultural Advisory Board. Boulder County will utilize
their Food Policy Council. Weld County will utilize the Live Well program.
The three counties will appoint citizens' Project Lead Teams to oversee
efforts in their County. Representatives from the three Project Lead Teams
will form a Steering Committee to guide the overall effort. These groups have
not yet been formed.
In addition, much of the data will be gathered via personal interviews, focus
groups, and public forums, collecting information and insights directly from
private partners. Refer to Attachment A, Regional Food System Assessment
Draft Outline and Budget for additional information.
Colorado State University graduate student researchers will collect much of
the secondary data, conduct interviews, analyze information, and help
document findings from the research. They will also serve as research
assistants to each of the County leads in conducting the specific data
analyses that address the objectives developed by county advisory teams.
Colorado State University will be responsible for using this regional
assessment as a pilot project to prepare a template suitable for statewide
use. The partners involved in the distribution of this template could include
Cooperative Extension and the Department of Local Affairs through their best
practices webpage.
7. To what extent will the proposed project support locally/regionally adopted
plans governing land use, development, growth management, and
comprehensive planning?
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 7
Each of the participating agencies has programs, plans and policies in place
that are closely tied to the food system assessment goals. Those are listed
below:
Larimer County
Rural Land Use Center
Larimer County Business and
Enterprise
Open Lands Program
Boulder County
Food Policy Council
Parks and Open Space
Weld County
Live Well Colorado program
Rural Land Use Task Force
Farm to School Program
Fort Collins Downtown Development
Authority
Marketplace Project
E. PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
8. To what extent have applicants explored all other funding sources for which this
proposed project may be eligible, and made efforts to receive funding from
such sources?
Other funding sources have not been identified.
9. If the proposed project is funded, what on -going operational obligations will be
incurred? What is the applicants' plan for addressing these additional costs?
The study will not create operational obligations. It is possible that the study
will reveal additional research needs. If that occurs, the participants will need
to secure funding for these efforts from internal sources or additional grants.
It is very likely that the assessment will identify projects that should be
accomplished to strengthen the regional food system. Some of these
projects may be policy decisions that do not require funding. Projects that
require funding will need to compete for those resources through programs
such as those anticipated in the future for local food systems through the
United States Department of Agriculture, private foundations and other
entities.
10. What is the relationship of the proposed project to identified community goals
and/or documented public health and safety issues?
Food is a major public health issue. With the economic downturn, poverty is
a growing concern in the region. Subsequently, food security issues are on
the rise. Live Well programs in all three counties have documented the
connection between obesity and the availability of healthy, nutritious food.
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 8
The food assessment will help better understand and quantify these
connections, and begin to identify possible solutions.
11. Why is the project needed at this time? What is the likelihood and urgency of
timely implementation and completion of the proposed project? What is the
proposed starting date? Completion date? Does this project, as identified in
this application, completely address the stated need? If not, please describe
additional work or phases and the estimate time frame.
The participants are hopeful that work on the Regional Food System
Assessment can begin this fall in order to complete the first data gathering
activities in time to host agricultural producer events before spring planting
season. The entire study process should be completed in approximately 11
months.
Since this is an initial assessment, this project will not completely address
the development of a vibrant and sustainable regional food system. Rather,
the assessment will identify the current condition of the regional food system
and identify work that will need to be accomplished in the coming years to
strengthen it.
12. List the individuals and organizations responsible for managing and carrying out
the proposed project. Identify the roles (e.g., responsible administrator, fiscal
manager, planning consultant, etc.) and briefly describe the qualifications of
each responsible party. In cases in which an individual or organization has not
yet been selected for a particular role, briefly describe the proposed
qualifications and method of selection.
Larimer County will take the lead role in coordinating the study effort,
including administrative and fiscal responsibilities. Linda Hoffmann, Director
of the Rural Land Use Center, will be the project manager for the work. She
joined Larimer County just over a year ago and took a department head role.
She is the staff liaison to the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board and
a member of the MarketPlace Committee for the Fort Collins Downtown
Development Authority. Prior to her work with Larimer County, Linda was a
principal with a civil engineering consulting firm. During her 22 years with
Nolte Associates, Inc. she had direct accountability for an office of 20 people
and an annual budget of approximately $2.5M. She also served as the project
manager for planning, public outreach and infrastructure projects with fees
ranging in size from a few thousand dollars up to approximately $250,000.
In Weld County, the lead staff role with be filled by Gaye Morrison. Gaye is
the Director of Communication, Education and Planning in the Weld County
Department of Public Health and Environment. She is a registered dietitian
and was the clinical nutrition manager at North Colorado Medical Program
for prior to joining Weld County. She currently supervises $1.5M in health
education and planning programs, including the LiveWell Weld County grant.
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 9
Her expertise in public health issues and communications will be invaluable
to the effort.
Adrian Card will lead the work in Boulder County. Adrian is an Agricultural
Extension agent through the CSU Cooperative Extension Service. He
specializes in small acreage, alternative agriculture models, with leadership
roles in a very popular new farmer, entrepreneur training program and the
annual Ag Big and Small Conference.
Colorado State University graduate students will do much of the data
collection and analysis work. They will be selected and supervised by Dawn
Thilmany McFadden, PhD. Dr. Thilmany is a nationally recognized researcher
and speaker on topics related to food systems and agriculture including
consumer preferences, organic production, and direct marketing. She is a
Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics and a
former Farm Foundation Fellow for Rural Community Viability.
13. Please add any additional information that will be relevant to the project.
The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority's project to develop a
community marketplace relates directly to the concepts pursued in the
regional food system assessment. Currently in the feasibility analysis stage,
a community marketplace will be an important venue for local food
producers to market their products directly to consumers year-round. The
marketplace can also be a educational opportunity for the public to recognize
connections between the preservation of rural lands, agricultural production,
and local food processing and availability. The marketplace, in turn, will
strengthen the community core. It will be an exciting entertainment and
shopping destination, bringing people into the downtown, and showcasing
the sustainability of the community by focusing on local and globally fair
products. To be successful, the marketplace must be supplied by adequate
amounts of high quality, diversified local food choices. The food system
assessment will provide needed data on the numbers and characteristics of
local food producers currently. It will also identify products that could be
produced locally and sold at the marketplace, which may inspire growers or
food processors to fulfill that need. These connections strengthen the food
system, making the entire community more sustainable and vibrant.
F. Relationship to Community Goals and Increased Community Livability
This series of questions attempts to more clearly understand how your project
improves the livability of your community. Livability means increasing the value and/or
benefit in the areas that are commonly linked in community development such as
housing, jobs, infrastructure benefit, transportation, education and environment.
14. Is the project identified in the applicant's budget or a jurisdictionally approved
plan (e.g., comprehensive plan, regional plan, intergovernmental agreement or
other local or regional planning document? Where does this project rank on the
list of local priorities?
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 10
Funding for the participant's share of the total project cost has been
allocated in the adopted 2009 budgets for each of the participating agencies.
15. Has this project been deferred because of the lack of local funding? If so, for
how long?
No, the project has not been deferred other than by the time required to
organize the effort and secure direction to proceed from the three Boards of
County Commissioners.
16. What other community entities, organizations, or stakeholders recognize the
value of this project? Please describe how your partners are contributing to
achieve the improvement to the livability of the community through this project.
i. Please describe the level of commitment by each collaborator (e.g., fee
waivers, in -kind services, fundraising, direct monetary contribution, policy
changes).
H. Please list the value of the resources each collaborator is bringing to the
project.
Many community entities, organizations and stakeholders will be involved in
the project and are currently engaged in work that compliments the study.
These resources will contribute to the project by lending their expertise to
the data collection and analysis effort. It is very likely that representatives
from these various organizations will be appointed to the project lead teams
in their respective counties.
G. MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
17. Describe measurable outcomes you expect to see when implementation of this
project is complete. How will the project enhance the livability of your region,
county, or community?
A Regional Food System Assessment is the first step in building a vibrant
and sustainable community food system. The assessment will provide the
comprehensive and quantified data needed to understand the system as it
currently exists. From this firm baseline, the region can begin to understand
the relationships and interdependencies between components of the system
and identify ways to strengthen it. Specifically, the anticipated measureable
outcomes of the study are as follows.
Measurable
Outcome
Benefitted
Population
When
Measured
Estimated
Number
Verification Method
1
Improved
understanding of
regional food
system
General public
and policy
makers in all 3
counties
At
completion
of study
3 public hearings
to adopt final
report and 5,000
members of the
Hold public hearings and
measure hits on project
webpage
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008
page A-
public
Measurable
Outcome
Benefitted
Population
When
Measured
Estimated
Number
Verification Method
2
Improved under-
standing of gaps in
regional food
system including
production,
processing,
marketing or food
security
Citizens without
adequate food
security, food
producers
seeking new
opportunities
Last 30
days of
project
4 new agricultural
producers or food
processors; 1 at
risk neighborhood
or community
Identification of at risk
group and identification
of new food production
ventures
3
Improved
coordination
Ag and food
sector
businesses
Last 60
days of
project
10 new active
industry
stakeholders
Identification of new
business network
connections
4
Improved
coordination
County and
municipalities,
community
activists
Last 60
days of
project
2 programs and
policy initiatives, 1
of which crosses
county boundaries
Identification of policy or
program initiatives
5
Increased
consumer
involvement in
marketing
innovations
Regional food
consumers
Last 60
days of
project
100 new
consumers
involved in direct
markets,
gardening projects
or education
programs
Stakeholder meetings,
registrations and
comment cards
6
Increased producer
involvement in
marketing
innovations
Regional
producers and
technical
partners
Last 60
days of
project
20 producers
involved in new
market outlets
Identify new participants
in supply chain activities
7
Increased producer
involvement in
policy
Regional ag
producers
Last 60
days of
project
10 producers
involved in
advisory groups
Membership changes in
relevant policy groups
A vibrant and sustainable regional food system impacts livability of the
community in many important ways. In fact, essentially every facet of
community livability is related to the food system as summarized in the
following table:
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 12
Livability Factor
Relationship to Regional Food System
Environmental
• Local food production reduces transportation
Quality
carbon footprint of food
• Ag land preservation increases open space and
can improve water quality, wildlife habitat
availability, stormwater management, natural
resource protection, and reduced soil erosion
Public Health and
• Improved access to fresh food improves nutrition
Safety
and reduces obesity
• Food security for impoverished citizens can be
positively impacted
• Access to local food improves food safety
Community Identity
• Networks within local food system improves
and Pride
social and business interactions
• Local food movement strengthens citizens'
perception of sense of place for community
Recreation and
• Farmers Markets and community marketplace
Entertainment
provide entertainment venues
• Local food producers can form associations that
offer farm tours and other special events
Economic Vitality
• Local food production creates jobs
• Local food processing creates jobs
• Local food retailing creates jobs
• Buying local foods keeps local money in regional
economy
18. How many people will benefit from the project (e.g., region, county, city, town,
subdivision)?
Refer to response to question 17 above.
19. How will the outcome of the project be measured to determine whether the
anticipated benefits to this population actually occur?
Refer to response to question 17 above.
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 13
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Submission of this form indicates official action by the applicants' governing boards authorizing
application for t se fun • 1. Add addAtional •urisdictions below if applicable.
Jurisdic� r /� y ` �2 Official Board Action taken on I "" O41
LA( ; m e` Co : 1—.) aid ct*1 i Ss ;t; et-. Date
Jurisdiction Official Board Action taken on 10/12/2009
Weld County :oard of County Commissioners Date
Jurisdiction Official Board Action taken on
Date
Jurisdiction Official Board Action taken on
Date
Jurisdiction Official Board Action taken on
Date
Jurisdiction Official Board Action taken on
Date
******wxw**xw*t***********xx*****************tit*********tt********w*tt**********************************i*******ww********w****
Applications and any attachments must be submitted electronically
Please contact OSG staff with concerns over the electronic submittal policy.
Submit applications or direct questions to:
Andy Hill
303.866.3785
andv.hillAstate.co.us
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 14
DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT
AUTH H t_y R_ [TY
RECEIVED JUL 08 2009
July 6, 2009
Linda Hoffmann, Director
Larimer County Rural Land Use Center
200 W. Oak Street
Fort Collins, CO 80521
RE: Proposal for Community Food Systems Assessment (CFSA)
Dear Linda,
Thank you very much for providing an overview of the proposed Community Food Systems Assessment
(CFSA) and for identifying the relationship to the DDA's Community Marketplace project. I would like
to express my support for the regional approach you have outlined for the assessment, which includes
Weld and Boulder County governments, Colorado State University Agricultural Economics and
Extension faculty, and the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
The regional study area you propose for the CFSA reinforces research completed during the feasibility
phase of the DDA Community Marketplace project. In the DDA's efforts to identify factors in other
communities that contribute to an economically viable and successful public market, we have learned that
agricultural production capacity needed to supply a facility with the variety of goods desired by urban
area consumers is rarely, if at all, defined by political jurisdiction boundaries. Rather, regional geography
serves as a "food -shed" and the supply of agricultural products that are sold to consumers in the public
markets are supported by a macro -level system of regional production, processing and distribution.
I want to further express support of your proposal by offering to seek DDA Board approval of a funding
contribution toward the assessment at a level consistent with the Latimer County share of the project
expenses, or !G of the cash match required to obtain the Department of Local Affairs grant. I view the
proposed CFSA as an extension of due diligence to develop a permanent marketplace in the Downtown.
Through identification of business development opportunities and challenges in the local food system
economy, there will be a greater understanding and documentation of regional capabilities to support the
Community Marketplace in Downtown Fort Collins.
Sincerely
Ma o enalt
Executive Director
•
t9 Old. Town Square Suite 230 • Fort Collins, Colorado 50924 • tel: 974.484:2020 • fa
•
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008
0.4ft4,2069 • www.downtowntorteollins.otg
page A- 15
ATTACHMENT A
Draft Outline and Budget
Northern Colorado
Regional Food System Assessment
Draft Outline of Study Report
I. Executive Summary
II. Background
a. Goals and Objectives
i. Food System Goals
ii. Regional Food System Assessment Goals
Hi. County Objectives for Regional Food System Assessment
b. Description of Study Area
i. Geography
H. History
c. Study Process
III. Public Health Issues (poverty, food security and obesity)
IV. Food Processing, Distribution
V. Marketing Venues and Consumer Preferences
VI. Local Food Production Capabilities and Limitations
a. Land Inventory
b. Water Inventory
c. Labor Resources
d. Equipment and Supplies Resources
e. Support Services Resources
VII. Conclusions
a. Gaps in the data for describing the current food system
b. Public Health implications and needs related to food
c. Local food production resources and opportunities
d. Market venue and consumer preference strengths and gaps
e. Agricultural production status, trends and future needs
f. Next Steps
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 16
Task Description
Time Budget
Task 1: Organize Project Team
Draft study goals and objectives
Secure approval of goals and objectives from County BCCs
Commissioners appoint project lead team in each County
Steering committee formed of representatives from each lead team
Graduate student researcher(s) selected
Establish communication and information sharing tools/procedures
Task 2: Gather Available Secondary Data
Each County project lead team meets to launch project work
Steering Committee meets to coordinate efforts
Gather available secondary data
- - 2007 Census of Agriculture (all counties)
-- 2009 Assessor data for acreage of agricultural properties
-- Inventory of public lands
-- Relevant public health data (may vary by county)
- - Processing, distribution, marketing data
-- Water/irrigation district data
-- Agricultural labor data
-- Equipment and supplies vendor data
-- Support services vendor data
-- Production requirements of common agric crops and products
-- Trends in ag production
- - Trends in public health issues related to food system
-- Trends in food processing, distribution, marketing
Assemble and distribute collected information
Task 3: Analyze Secondary Data
Identify gaps in availability of secondary data
Compare trends in production with product requirements for production
Each County project lead team meets to review data
Steering Committee meets to coordinate efforts
Task 4: Primary Data Collection Activities
Determine additional data needs
Prioritize/focus primary data collection goals
Steering Committee meets to agree on primary data collection process
Each County project lead team meets to plan data collection process
Telephone interviews conducted
Focus group meetings held (1 per County)
Producer meetings conducted (data collection and networking) (2 per County)
Assemble and distribute collected information
Task 5: Prepare and Document Findings, Results, and Recommendations
Steering Committee meets to discuss findings and conclusions
Each County project lead team meets to discuss recommendations
Final report is drafted and distributed for review
Final report is finalized and published
Report and recommendations are presented to each County BCC
Executive summary brochure(s) prepared and printed/posted
Open Houses held in each County to publicize results
Task 6: Use Study as a Pilot Study to Create Tool Kit for Other Communities
Prepare descriptive materials focusing on benefits of assessment
Prepare narrative and templates to be used to conduct assessment
Circulate all materials for review and comment to pilot study agencies & others
Finalize materials and distribute via electronic media and Extension service
Months 1 & 2 $1,000
Months 3 & 4 $9,000
Month 5 $4,000
Months 6 - 8 $21,000
Month 9 $13,000
Month 10-11 $5,000
Total Budget $53,000
Colorado Heritage Planning Grant Program — 2008 page A- 17
Community Food Systems Assessment (CFSA)
What is a Community Food Systems Assessment?
A Community Food System Assessment (CFSA) is a system -wide, collaborative and
participatory process that systematically appraises a broad range of local and regional food
issues. Issues associated with the food system range from food production capabilities, to
processing, distribution and marketing options, to public health concerns related to food supply
and nutrition. A CFSA begins by measuring the assets we already have. By defining what is
already working within the food system, we can further assess what is missing, and work toward
building new assets for the community. A CFSA will also provide an understanding of the
interrelationships between elements of the food system.
Why •is this important?
Food systems have powerful effects on the local economy, the health of people, and the
environment. Taking a wholistic, or systems -wide perspective, a Community Food System
Assessment identifies how all elements of a food system are connected, what challenges exist, as
well as what opportunities are available.
Tangible outcomes of the CFSA will be:
• A complete picture (map) of the agricultural production system that exists in Weld, Larimer
and Boulder Counties that demonstrates the flow of agricultural food products through our
region. This includes food production for livestock and humans, food processing, distribution
and marketing.
• An understanding of the strengths and gaps in access to locally produced foods that exists in
Weld County municipalities and unincorporated areas that may impact the health of our
residents.
• To serve as a foundation to guide land use decisions that will preserve and enhance the local
agricultural economy.
• Contribute to the ability of Weld County and the region to sustain a food supply for citizens
in an emergency when access to regular supply chains is severely limited.
• An understanding of the connection in our regional community between poverty, obesity and
food security.
Where would the assessment study area be?
This CFSA would be done regionally, including Weld, Larimer and Boulder counties. A regional
approach makes sense because of the way food products and agricultural support infrastructure
travel across county boundaries. A regional approach also makes the project more appealing to
funders and is a wiser use of available resources.
M:\H PROMO\AndersonMorrison\Live W el I\Food Assessment \CFSA August09.di
Who would be involved?
In Weld County, the Live Well program and the Department of Public Health and Environment
will take the lead in partnership with other county agencies as needed.
In Larimer County, Linda Hoffmann, Rural Land Use Center Director, is interested in leading
the effort. Support will be needed from other County departments and entities.
In Boulder County, the Food Policy Council, supported by the Extension Service will take the
lead.
CSU Agricultural Economics and Extension faculty will be involved as support to graduate
students collecting portions of the data.
How will the work be done and funded?
A steering committee made up of each of the lead team members of the three counties will be
established. The steering committee should also include key stakeholders appointed by the BCC
for each county. In addition, each County would establish a local team to guide the work.
A graduate student will gather the existing secondary data. Considerable data exists for farm
production and public health. Some data exists regarding food distribution and marketing. Much
less information is available regarding agricultural infrastructure such as available labor supply,
equipment suppliers, quantified trends in water availability and use, processing capacity and
consumer behaviors. These topics will be researched as part of the study.
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) appears to have an interest in funding the work. If the
project is small (less than $50,000), DOLA could fund up to 50% of the cost. The three Counties
would split the 50% match, about $8,000 per County. LiveWell Weld County and Steps will
provide $6000.00 of the match and the remaining $2000.00 will come from General Health
Education budget.
Expenses will be divided between 1) graduate student labor, 2) the cost of hosting events for
producers to gather primary data, and 3) design and production costs for the report and collateral
materials announcing the results of the CFSA.
When would it be done?
A letter proposal to DOLA can be submitted at any time, there is no prescribed funding cycle for
small projects. The proposal must include:
• Description of the project to be completed
• Description of the organizational structure to manage the project
• Budget for accomplishing the work
• Schedule for completing the project
M:\HPROMO\AndersonMorrison\LiveWell\Food Assessment\CFSA August01
Northern Colorado Region
Community Food Systems Assessment (CFSA)
Draft Outline
I. Executive Summary
II. Background
a. Goals and Objectives
i. Food System Goals
ii. Community Food Systems Assessment Goals
b. Description of Study Area
i. Geography
ii. History
c. Study Process
III. Public Health Issues (poverty, food security and obesity)
IV. Food Processing, Distribution, and Marketing
V. Land Inventory
VI. Water Inventory
VII. Labor Resources
VIII. Equipment and Supplies Resources
IX. Support Services Resources
X. Conclusions
a. Gaps in the data for describing the current food system
b. Existing Availability of Agricultural Infrastructure
c. Potential Changes in Availability of Production Inputs
d. Next Steps
M:\H PROMO\AndersonMo rrison\Live W el I\Food Assessment \CFSA AugustC
If funding can be secured and steering committees established by late September, data collection
could occur in and October and November. Primary data collection, including producer events,
could be hosted during the winter. The final report and collateral materials would be available by
Spring 2010. As part of the assessment process, each County will identify possible next steps to
realizing a vibrant and sustainable regional food system.
M:\H PROMO\Anderson Morrison\Live W ell\Food Assessment\CFSA August09.c
Food Deserts as a Public Health Concern
What is a Food Desert?
Food deserts are neighborhoods and communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious
foods. Access to healthy foods means that the food is available and affordable. In the United States,
people living in low-income urban or rural neighborhoods frequently do not have access to affordable
healthy food venues, such as supermarkets. Instead, those living in "food deserts" must rely on
convenience stores and small neighborhood stores that offer few, if any, healthy food choices, such as
fruits and vegetables (Whitacre, P.T., 2009). There is abundant evidence that shows the food environment
is associated with the kinds of foods that people eat (Whitacre, P.T., 2009).
Scope of Public Health Concern
Increases in obesity and diet -related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, have become major
public health problems in recent years. According to a national food access study conducted by the United
States Department of Agriculture, these problems may be worse in some U.S. communities because
access to affordable and nutritious foods is difficult (USDA, 2009).
A primary concern of researchers is that some poor or rural areas do not have access to supermarkets,
grocery stores, or other food retailers that offer the large variety of foods needed for a healthy diet such as
fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh dairy and meat products. Instead, individuals in these areas
may be more reliant on food retailers or fast food restaurants that only offer more limited varieties of
foods (USDA, 2009). It is hypothesized that the relative lack of access to full -service grocery stores and
the easier access to fast and convenience foods may be linked to poor diets and, ultimately, to obesity and
other diet -related diseases (USDA, 2009).
Need for Further Study
The purpose of food desert study is to understand factors that contribute to food deserts and ultimately to
identify ways to facilitate change for health and economic benefits. Food access studies utilize
professionals in a variety of disciplines, including public health, nutrition, economics, geography, urban
planning, and agricultural industry. The interventions to improve food deserts center on increasing the
intake of healthy foods by improving access and affordability of those foods (Whitacre, P.T., 2009).
Part of the goal of improving access to healthy and affordable food is to reduce obesity and diet -related
diseases among populations that are adversely affected by these health conditions. If healthier foods such
as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh dairy, and meat products are as available and as
inexpensive as calorically -dense foods, it is believed that consumers will substitute away from calorically -
dense foods to healthier foods and reduce the risk of obesity (Whitacre, P.T., 2009).
Interest in the relationship of food access to diet and health is also rooted in a substantial body of
literature that shows disparities in many health outcomes across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status
(Institute of Medicine, 2003; National Research Council, 2004). It is believed that differences in food
access across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status may contribute to or reinforce these health
disparities (Diez-Roux, 2009).
Although there is general information on food deserts and access issues nationally, there is a need for
more rich data collection and evaluation at a local level to measure and understand food deserts,
especially within Weld County.
Resources
Diaz -Roux, A. (2009). "The Local Food Environment and Health:
Are We and Where Do We Go Next?" Presentation at the IOM/NRWhere
C
Workshop on the Public Health Effects of Food Deserts, January 26,
Washington, DC.
Institute of Medicine (2003). Unequal Treatment: Confronting
and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare, B.D. Smedley,
Nelson Racial
(eds.), Committee on Understanding and ElimiAnating
Racial nd A.R.
Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Board on Health and Sciences Policy,
Washington, g and
g , DC: The National Academies Press.
National Research Council (2004). Eliminating Health Disparities:
Measurement and Data Needs, M. Ver Ploeg DHHS Collection of
Race and Ethnicity g and C. Perrin (eds.), Nation Statistics, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education,
Data, Committee on National
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
United States Department of
d Food Deserts riculture (2009). Access to
and Understandingand Their Consequences:Affordable
e ordable and Nutritious Ploeg,
T. Farrigan et al.,Administrative Publication No. port 0 Con Measuring
Congress, Ver M., V.
Whitacre, P.(AP-036).
T., P. Tsai, J. Mulligan, Summary. The Institute . J.og , (2009). The Public Health Effects of Food Deserts
Washington, DC:The Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council ( , January Workshop
6 -
National Academies Press. (NRC), 26-27,
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