Local Farm & Food Economy Studies
Alabama
Central Alabama Region (3 counties, 2012).
Partner: Central Alabama Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC).
Data Summary
North Alabama (11 counties, 2011).
Partner: Food Bank of North Alabama.
Data Summary
Santa Rosa County Region (Florida and Alabama) (5 counties, 2006).
Partner: Team Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa County Economic Development).
Data Summary
Alaska
Building Food Security in Alaska (entire state, 2014).
By Ken Meter and Megan Phillips Goldenberg. Statewide study commissioned by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Report
Fairbanks Region (3 counties, 2013).
Partner: Partner: University of Alaska–Fairbanks.
Data Summary
How the Alaska "Food Hub" Network Can Best Move Forward (entire state, 2024).
Partners: Alaska Food Policy Council, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Six "Food Hubs."
Strategic Recommendations
Potential Infrastructure Investments for Alaska-Grown Food (entire state, 2018).
By Ken Meter and Megan Phillips Goldenberg. Prepared for the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Food Policy Council for implementing our 2014 Alaska food system assessment.
Report
Arizona
Coconino County (July, 2006).
Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments.
Data Summary
Maricopa County (2018). Building Community Connections Through Community Foods. Meter, K.; Goldenberg, M.P.; & Ross P. Prepared for Maricopa County Food Systems Council by Crossroads Resource Center.
Navajo County (July, 2006).
Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments.
Data Summary
Southern Arizona (5 counties, 2011).
Partners: Community Food Bank of Tucson and Pima County Food System Alliance.
Data Summary
Yavapai County (July, 2006).
Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments.
Data Summary
Arkansas
Arkansas Farm & Food Economy (2015). Partner: Heifer Project International. (Still to be released)
ArkLaTex Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, 2016). Partners:
Slow Food North Louisiana and We Grow Together!
Local Food & Farm Economy and Strategic Recommendations
Eastern Arkansas (8 counties, 2012).
Partners: East Arkansas Enterprise Community & Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
State of Arkansas (March, 2011).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
California
State of California, Sacramento metro area and Ventura County (2005).
Partners: Roots of Change “Vivid Picture Project”, Ecotrust.
Data Summary
Central Coast (2004) Results summarized in “Finding Food in Farm Country.”
Partner: Community Alliance with Family Farms.
Data Summary
Mendocino County (1 county, 2010).
Partner: North Coast Opportunities, Inc. & Mendocino County Community Health Services – Susan Sher.
Data Summary
Mount Shasta / Mount Lassen Region (6 counties, 2012).
Partner: California Center for Cooperative Development.
Data Summary
Sacramento Metro (2004).
Partner: “Vivid Picture Project.”
Data Summary
Ventura County (1 county, 2004).
Partner: “Vivid Picture Project.”
Data Summary
Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Coeur d’Alene Reservation Local Farm and Food Economy (1 tribal community and 2 counties, 2017).
Partner: Benewah Medical and Wellness Center. Data Summary
Colorado
Adams County, Colorado (2016). Partners:
Logan Simpson Design Firm, Two Forks Collective, City of Brighton & County of Adams. Market Study for Adams County — Special Ag District. District Plan: Adopted Draft (2016)
Boulder County (1 county, 2009).
Partners: Boulder County, Colorado State University Extension.
Data Summary
Denver Metropolitan Region (7 counties, 2008).
Partner: Civic Results & Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission.
Data Summary
Montezuma County (1 county, 2013).
Partner: LiveWell Montezuma.
Data Summary
San Luis Valley (2018). Three Potential Value-Added Opportunities for the San Luis Valley. Meter, K., Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the Adams State University Value-Added Committee Alamosa, Colorado.
San Luis Valley Region (6 counties, 2013).
Partner: San Luis Valley partners.
Data Summary
Florida
Santa Rosa County Region (Florida and Alabama) (5 counties, 2006).
Partner: Team Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa County economic development).
Data Summary
Sarasota County (1 county, 2006).
Partner: Sarasota County Government.
Data Summary
Georgia
Atlanta Metro Region (28 counties, 2008).
Partner: Emory University & Georgia Organics.
Data Summary
Hawaiʻi
State of Hawaiʻi 2017). Partners: Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, The Kohala Center, The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, Blue Zones Project. Comprehensive food system assessment focused on low-income food access. Hawaiʻi Food for All
Hawaiʻi (2003).
Finding Food in Farm Country.
Data Summary
Maui (2003). Partner: Maui Land & Pine. PowerPoints (2)
State of Hawaiʻi (2003). Partner: Maui Land & Pine. PowerPoints (2)
Idaho
Coeur d’Alene Reservation Local Farm and Food Economy (1 tribal community and 2 counties, 2017).
Partner: Benewah Medical and Wellness Center.
Data Summary
Greater Treasure Valley region (Idaho & Oregon) (9 counties, 2010).
Partner: Treasure Valley Food Coalition & Treasure Valley Food Network.
Data Summary
Nez Perce Tribe Food Sovereignty Assessment (1 tribal community and 4 Idaho counties, 2018). Partner: Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development. Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce Tribe) Food Sovereignty Assessment
Illinois
Central Illinois (32 counties, 2011).
Partner: Edible Economy Project.
Data Summary
Next Steps for Supporting Emerging Farmers in Illinois (State and National, 2024).
Partners: The Land Connection, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, FoodWorks.
Strategic Recommendations
Sangamon Region (9 counties, 2010).
Partner: Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
Data Summary
Southern Illinois (23 counties, 2012).
Partners: FoodWorks, Connect Southern Illinois.
Data Summary
Indiana
Columbus Region 2015 (2 counties, 2015). Partner: Columbus Regional Health.
Data Summary
Columbus Region (2 counties, 2013). Partner: Columbus Regional Health.
Data Summary
Elkhart Region (8 counties, 2014).
Partner: Elkhart County Foodshed Initiative.
With funding from Goshen Hospital Health Care Foundation.
Data Summary
Hancock County, Indiana (2015). Partners:
Hoosier Harvest Market and the Indiana State Department of Health.
Opportunities for Farm-to-School in Hancock County, Indiana
Northeast Indiana (2016). Partners:
Manheim Solutions, Inc., and Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.
Northeast Indiana Local Food Network — Phase 1 Report
Southwest Indiana (7 counties, 2013).
Partner: Welborn Baptist Foundation (Evansville). “Snapshots of the Southwest Indiana farm & food economy.”
Interviews with food system leaders
Southwest Indiana (7 counties, 2013).
Partner: Welborn Baptist Foundation (Evansville). Farm and Food economy report.
Data Summary
State of Indiana (2012).
Partner: Indiana State Department of Health.
Hoosier Farmer? Emergent Food Systems in Indiana (2012)
Iowa
Black Hawk region (8 counties, 2005).
Partners: University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Local Foods Project Annual Meeting & Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Data Summary
Des Moines Region (6 counties, 2012).
Partners: Food & You; Polk County Health Department.
Data Summary
Fairfield (2007).
Partner: Pathfinders RC&D.
Data Summary
Golden Hills RC&D region (Southwest Iowa) (8 counties, 2006).
Partners: Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Data Summary
Iowa Valley RC&D region (East Central Iowa) (6 counties, 2007).
Partners: Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, Northwest Area Foundation.
Data Summary
Marshall County (1 county, 2009).
Partner: Prairie Rivers RC&D, Marshalltown Community College and COMIDA.
Data Summary
Northeast region (2004) Partners: GROWN Locally, Northeast Iowa Farm and Food Coalition, Iowa State University Extension, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, Oneota Coop. No Data Summary published – contact CRC or NIFFC for more information.
Pathfinders RC&D region (Southeast Iowa) (6 counties, 2007).
Partners: Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Data Summary
Prairie Rivers RC&D region (Central Iowa) (6 counties, 2006).
Partners: Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Data Summary
Story County (1 county, 2010).
Partner: Story County.
Data Summary
Woodbury County (1 county, 2005).
Partner: Woodbury County Organic Growers’ Conference, Woodbury County Rural Economic Development, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
Data Summary
Wright County (2004) Partner: Here’s 2 Our Health, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, ALCES Foundation. No Data Summary published – contact CRC or H2OH for more information.
Wright County and Northeast Iowa (2004). Results summarized in “Finding Food in Farm Country.”
Data Summary
Kansas
Kaw River Valley (2008).
Partner: Kansas Rural Center, Kansas State University, The Merc Co-op.
Data Summary
Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (1 county, 2017).
Partners: Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas; Healthy Communities Wyandotte. Kansas City Kansas Healthy Food System Assessment
Louisiana
ArkLaTex Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, 2016). Partners:
Slow Food North Louisiana and We Grow Together!
Local Food & Farm Economy and Strategic Recommendations
Central Louisiana (9 parishes, 2013). Partner:
Central Louisiana Economic Development Association.
PowerPoint Presentation
Demand Survey For Community Foods with Strategies for Low-Income Access (10 parishes, 2018).
Prepared for the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.
Report
Maine
Building Support for Community-Based Foods in the Lakes Region of Maine (2 counties, 2016). Partners: Town of Bridgton and County of Cumberland.
Report
City of Auburn (1 County) (2018).
Auburn’s Agricultural and Resource Protection Zoning (AGRP): Consultant Recommendations. Meter, K. & Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the City of Auburn, Maine, by Crossroads Resource Center. Auburn’s Local Economy: Agriculture, Forestry, and Housing . Meter, K. & Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the City of Auburn, Maine, by Crossroads Resource Center.
Lewiston + Auburn Region (Maine, 2015). Partners:
Karp Resources and Grow L+A.
Lewiston-Auburn Regional Food Hub Feasibility Study
Manitoba, Canada
Province of Manitoba (2009).
Partner: Food Matters Manitoba (formerly Manitoba Food Charter).
Data Summary
Maryland
East Chesapeake Bay region (Maryland & Virginia) (7 counties, October, 2007).
Partner: Food and Water Watch, East Chesapeake farmers.
Data Summary
Michigan
East Michigan Region (14 counties, 2012).
Partner: East Michigan Council of Governments.
Data Summary
Elkhart Region (8 counties, 2014).
Partner: Partner: Elkhart County Foodshed Initiative.
With funding from Goshen Hospital Health Care Foundation.
Data Summary
Genesee County (1 county, 2009).
Partner: Ruth Mott Foundation.
Data Summary
Upper Peninsula (15 counties, 2013).
Partner: U.P. Food Exchange.
Data Summary
Central Upper Peninsula (6 counties, 2013).
Partner: U.P. Food Exchange.
Data Summary
Eastern Upper Peninsula (3 counties, 2013).
Partner: U.P. Food Exchange.
Data Summary
Western Upper Peninsula (6 counties, 2013).
Partner: U.P. Food Exchange.
Data Summary
Minnesota
State of Minnesota (2009).
Partner: Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Prevention.
Full Report
Northwest region (13 counties, 2005).
Partners: Northwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, University of Minnesota.
Data Summary
Scott County (1 county, 2009).
Partner: Scott County.
Data Summary
Southeast Minnesota region I (Original “Finding Food in Farm Country” study, 2001).
Partners: Experiment in Rural Cooperation, Community Design Center, & University of Minnesota.
Full Report
Southeast Minnesota region II (15 counties, 2007—new study with expanded region).
Partners: Experiment in Rural Cooperation, University of Minnesota.
Data Summary
West Central region (12 counties, 2005).
Partners: West Central Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, University of Minnesota.
Data Summary
Western Minnesota (10 counties 2008).
Partner: Land Stewardship Project.
Data Summary
Finding Food in Farm Country: Findings in Southeast Minnesota (2001), Northwest Minnesota (2005), and West Central Minnesota (2005).
Data Summary
Mississippi
An Overview of Mississippi’s Farm & Food Economy (Statewide 2014).
Partner: Mississippi Food Policy Council, with funding from Winrock International.
Full Report
Mississippi Delta (18 counties, 2011).
Partner: Delta Fresh Food Initiative.
Data Summary
Montana
Eastern Montana (2011).
Partners: Community GATE & Montana Farmers Union.
Data Summary
Expanded Golden Triangle (11 counties, 2017).
Partners: Montana Cooperative Development Center, Montana Farmers Union, Farmers Union International. Expanded Golden Triangle (Montana) Potential Community Foods Collaborative
Golden Triangle region (2011).
Partner: Montana Farmers Union.
Data Summary
Southeast of Golden Triangle region (2011).
Partner: Montana Farmers Union.
Data Summary
Southwest Montana (7 counties, 2012).
Partner: Headwaters RC&D.
Data Summary
Western Montana (5 counties, 2011).
Partners: Lake County Community Development Corporation, High Stakes Foundation, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Nourish the Flathead, Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, New West.
Data Summary
Nebraska
State of Nebraska (2010).
Partner: No More Empty Pots.
Data Summary
New Hampshire
Great Falls region (New Hampshire & Vermont) (4 counties, 2010).
Partner: Great Falls Food Hub.
Data Summary
State of New Hampshire (2019).
Partner: National Family Farm Coalition.
New Hampshire Farm, Fish, & Food Economy
New Mexico
State of New Mexico (2020).
Partners: New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group and the Climate Change Leadership Institute.
Data Summary
State of New Mexico (2007). Partner: New Mexico Acequia Association.
Arid Lowlands & Lower Rio Grande (11 counties, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
Central Plains (7 counties, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
Colorado Plateau & Intermountain Valley Bioregion (2 counties, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
High Plains & Ogallala region (5 regions, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
Northern New Mexico I (5 counties, 2007).
Partner: New Mexico Acequia Association.
Data Summary
Northern New Mexico II (5 counties, 2009)
Partner: New Mexico Acequia Association.
Data Summary
Southern Rockies & Upper Rio Grande (6 counties, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
Transition Plateaus, Mountains, and Gila River region (3 counties, 2009).
Partner: New Mexico Bioneers.
Data Summary
Nez Perce Tribe
Nez Perce Tribe Food Sovereignty Assessment (1 tribal community and 4 Idaho counties, 2018). Partner: Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development. Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce Tribe) Food Sovereignty Assessment
North Carolina
Blue Ridge Region (24 counties, 2014).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
High Ridge Country (North Carolina & Tennessee) (6 counties, 2011).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
Martinsville / Henry County region (Virginia & North Carolina) (8 counties, 2011).
Partners: Harvest Foundation, Virginia Tech Extension, & Local Partners.
Data Summary
Western North Carolina (23 counties, 2006).
Partner: Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program.
Data Summary
North Dakota
Dakota Fire Region (12 counties, 2014).
Partner: Dakotafire Media.
Data Summary
Southwest North Dakota and the Center of North America Coalition (CONAC) Regions of North Dakota (2015). Three reports produced in partnership with FARRMS in Medina, ND:
Next Steps for Two REAP Zones in North Dakota (2015)
CONAC Region (North Dakota) Local Farm & Food Economy (2015)
Southwest REAP Region (North Dakota) Local Farm & Food Economy (2015)
Ohio
State of Ohio (2011).
Partner: University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center.
Full Report
Northwest Ohio (2012).
Partner: University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center, Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Full Report (warning – large file 104mb)
Ontario, Canada
Hastings County (1 County) (2018).
In partnership with Harvest Hastings, Carleton University, FLEdGE, and Just Food Ottawa. Public presentations in Madoc and Belleville. Presentation covering Farm and Food Economy of Hastings County, Ontario: Finding Food in Farm Country
Oregon
Baker County (December, 2011).
Partner: Oregon Rural Action.
Data Summary
Gorge Grown Region (Oregon & Washington) (5 counties, 2008).
Partner: Gorge Grown Network.
Data Summary
Greater Treasure Valley region (Idaho & Oregon) (9 counties, 2010).
Partner: Greater Treasure Valley Food Coalition & Treasure Valley Food Network.
Data Summary
Northeast Oregon (4 counties, 2011).
Partner: Oregon Rural Action.
Data Summary
Portland Metro (2011). Partners: Cogan Owens Cogan. Not publicly reported. Contact CRC for more info.
Ten Rivers region (3 counties near Corvallis, 2007).
Partners: Ten Rivers Food Web, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, & Oregon State University Extension, Northwest Area Foundation.
Data Summary
Umatilla County (December, 2011).
Partners: CAPECO; Oregon Rural Action.
Data Summary
Union County (December, 2011).
Partner: Oregon Rural Action.
Data Summary
Wallowa County (December, 2011).
Partner: Oregon Rural Action.
Data Summary
Pennsylvania
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Farm & Food Economy (entire state, 2014).
Partner: Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Farm & Food Economy
South Carolina
Making Small Farms into Big Business (entire state, 2013).
By Ken Meter and Megan Phillips Goldenberg. Commissioned by the State of South Carolina (Departments of Agriculture and Commerce), South Carolina Farm Bureau, Palmetto Agribusiness Council, Bank of South Carolina, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Coastal Conservation League, and Clemson University Extension.
Making Small Farms into Big Business
South Dakota
Dakota Fire Region (12 counties, 2014).
Partner: Dakotafire Media.
Data Summary
Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud) Nation (2019).
Partner: Rosebud Economic Development Corporation.
Sicangu Lakota Oyate Nation Farm & Food Economy
Tennessee
Blue Ridge Region (Blue Ridge Region).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
High Ridge Country (North Carolina & Tennessee) (6 counties, 2011).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
Metro Nashville Food System Assessment (14 counties, 2017).
Partners: Nashville Farmers Market, Metro Nashville Department of Health, and Metro Nashville Department of Social Services.
Report
Texas
ArkLaTex Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, 2016). Partners:
Slow Food North Louisiana and We Grow Together!
Local Food & Farm Economy and Strategic Recommendations
Utah
Spanish Fork, Utah (1 county, 2019).
Partners: City of Spanish Fork; Logan Simpson.
The River Bottoms Vision Plan (DRAFT)
How Feasible is a Food Hub for Northern Utah? By Ken Meter (2021). Partner: City of Salt Lake.
Accompanying data reports:
Northern Utah Farm and Food Economy
Background Data for Wasatch Front Metro Counties of Utah
Vermont
Promoting Low-Income Food Access in Bennington, Vermont (1 county, 2017).
Partners: Bennington County Regional Commission, Northshire Grown.
Report
Great Falls region (New Hampshire & Vermont) (4 counties, 2010).
Partner: Great Falls Food Hub.
Data Summary
Rutland County (1 county, 2019). Partner: Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC). Contact VFFC for report.
Virginia
Blue Ridge Region (Blue Ridge Region).
Partner: Heifer Project International.
Data Summary
East Chesapeake Bay region (Maryland & Virginia) (7 counties, 2007).
Partner: Food and Water Watch, East Chesapeake farmers.
Data Summary
Martinsville / Henry County region (Virginia & North Carolina) (8 counties, 2011).
Partner: Harvest Foundation, Virginia Tech Extension, & Local Partners.
Data Summary
Rappahannock-Rapidan Region (Virginia, 2015). Partner:
Rapidan-Rappahannock Regional Commission.
Rappahannock-Rapidan Farm & Food Plan
Shenandoah Valley (10 counties, 2010)
Partner: Virginia Cooperative Extension (Harrisonburg).
Data Summary
State of Virginia (2007) Partner: University of Virginia. PowerPoint presentation
Washington
Clark County (1 county, 2008).
Partner: Clark County – Community Choices (Vancouver, Washington).
Data Summary
Gorge Grown Region (Oregon & Washington) (5 counties, 2008).
Partners: Gorge Grown Network.
Data Summary
Greater Spokane Region (8 counties, 2014).
Partners: Spokane County Food Council, Spokane County Regional Health. With new data from 2012 Census of Agriculture.
Data Summary
Greater Spokane Region (8 counties, 2014).
“Investing in Relationships — How Spokane can best support its emerging local foods industry.”
Action Plan
Greater Spokane Region (8 counties, 2013).
Partners: Spokane County Regional Health, City of Spokane.
Data Summary
King County (2010). Partner: City of Seattle. Not publicly reported. Contact CRC for more info.
Northern Olympic Peninsula (2 counties, 2007).
Partners: City of Port Townsend, Washington State University Extension, Team Jefferson, Northwest Area Foundation.
Data Summary
Spokane Region, Washington (2014). Partner:
Spokane Region Food Council.
Investing In Relationships: How Spokane can best support its emerging local foods industry
West Virginia
State of West Virginia (2011).
Partners: Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC), West Virginia Community Development Hub, & West Virginia Food and farm Coalition. With support from Central Appalachian network, and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.”
Data Summary
Greenbrier Valley (3 counties, 2011).
Partners: Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC), West Virginia Community Development Hub, & West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition.
Data Summary
Wisconsin
Amery Region (1 County) (2018). “Amery, Wisconsin Farm & Food Business Cluster Study.” Contact Farm Table Foundation for information.
Green Bay region (8 counties, 2011).
Partner: New Leaf Food Co-operative.
Data Summary
Northwest Wisconsin (10 counties, 2008).
Partners: Barron County, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin Extension – Chippewa County, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Data Summary
Southwest Wisconsin (4 counties, 2008).
Partner: Valley Stewardship Network.
Data Summary
Video:
Deconstructing Dinner
