Take Part in Austell’s Community Conversations!
In partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Food Well Alliance will begin working with the City of Austell and its residents to develop an inclusive and equitable City Agriculture Plan. The plan is a roadmap for a city to achieve its vision of creating a vibrant and sustainable community food system over the next 5-10 years. Ensuring that community voices are heard, represented, and invested in is critical to the success of the City Agriculture Plan and will help set priorities for the plan’s strategic recommendations.
The community engagement phase kicks off with a celebratory event on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Austell’s I.T. and Lodemia Terrell Community Garden. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts via the Austell City Agriculture Plan Community Survey and register for a Community Conversation.
We are looking to you to help us understand what issues and opportunities need to be addressed in this plan! How does a strong local food system fit into your vision for how Austell is growing? Topics might include expanding access to local food, strengthening farm-to-school programs, amending city zoning ordinances to better support local growing opportunities, supporting soil health and pollinators, and any other related issue areas.
Join us at one of the events listed below! More events will be added soon.
Austell Selected for the Region’s Next City Agriculture Plan!
In collaboration with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Food Well Alliance is pleased to announce that the City of Austell has been chosen for the 2024 City Agriculture Plan. We are inspired by Austell’s commitment to health equity, economic growth, and alleviating food insecurity. We eagerly anticipate the collaboration ahead.
What’s Next?
The community engagement phase is set to kick off in March 2024. This equitable, inclusive community engagement phase will include events and focus groups designed to reach as many residents as possible, as well as identify ways locally grown food can be integrated into the city’s existing plans and programs. The engagement phase also helps appoint a balanced and diverse Steering Committee to guide Austell through the planning phase.
If you're a member of the Austell community and want to get involved in the community engagement phase, reach out to Emma Hugonnet, Policy and Planning Coordinator, at emma@foodwellalliance.org. Are you an Austell resident interested in participating in phase one of the City Agriculture Plan? Sign up to receive regular updates on how you can get involved.
Once Austell’s plan is developed with Atlanta Regional Commission, Food Well Alliance will steer its implementation and provide $75,000 in funding to help bring the plan to life.Stay tuned for updates on how Austell is shaping the local food system and agriculture policy in Cobb County!
Neighborhood TV speaks with community members at the City of Austell’s Community Garden as well as Exec. Dir. of Food Well Alliance, Kate Conner. Food Well Alliance and the Atlanta Regional Commission are teaming up with the City of Austell to begin the engagement phase of the Austell’s City Agriculture Plan.