Clarkston Community Engagement Close Out

This spring, Clarkston community members came out to discuss their vision for Clarkston’s City Agriculture Plan. The community engagement phase officially closed out on May 9 after three months spent in the community with support from trusted local partners, including the International Rescue Committee, Global Growers, Friends of Refugees, Jolly Avenue Community Garden, Refuge Coffee, the Clarkston Library, and Clarkston High School.

From February to May, Food Well Alliance hosted four focus groups, gathered input through an open survey available in seven languages, and connected with residents at popular community events. In total, 230 residents shared their thoughts.

From interviews, focus groups, and survey responses, five key themes emerged:

1. Improving agricultural infrastructure

2. Investing in grower education

3. Expanding food access and economic opportunity

4. Enacting supportive policies

5. Addressing cultural and communication barriers

Residents called for a farmers market, better access to fresh food in stores, and expanded mobile markets. They also highlighted the importance of increased education on how to grow and prepare food, more composting opportunities, and additional garden space in the city. Clarkston’s Steering Committee has convened and is heading into the planning phase ready to shape the local food system and develop a community-driven plan.

Learn more about Clarkston’s journey and findings by clicking the button below.

Take Part in Clarkston’s Community Conversations!

In January 2025, the City of Clarkston was selected to develop metro Atlanta's fifth City Agriculture Plan—the first city in Dekalb county. In partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Food Well Alliance will begin working with the City of Clarkston and its residents to develop an inclusive and equitable City Agriculture Plan. Help shape Clarkston's local food future!

A City Agriculture Plan is a set of policy and program recommendations for a city to strengthen their local food system over the next 3-5 years. Using residents’ feedback, the plan outlines new city policies and community programs to increase opportunities to access and grow local food in the city. Each plan is funded by a $75,000 implementation grant from Food Well Alliance.

Your voice is critical in shaping the priorities of the plan. Join Food Well and local food leaders in a conversation about what issues and opportunities need to be addressed in this plan. Topics include:

• Expanding access to local food and growing spaces

• Strengthening educational programs and growing resources for youth and adults

• Recomending city policies to better support local growing opportunities

• Supporting soil health and pollinators

Clarkston Selected for the Region’s Next City Agriculture Plan!

We’re excited to announce that Clarkston has been selected as metro Atlanta’s fifth city to develop a City Agriculture Plan in partnership with Food Well and the Atlanta Regional Commission. Clarkston’s plan will be uniquely tailored to the cultural diversity of the city.

This spring, Food Well will bring together Clarkston growers, residents, and city officials to identify community goals around accessing and growing local food. The planning process with the Atlanta Regional Commission will then identify strategies to achieve those goals through city policies and community programs over the next 3-5 years. Clarkston will receive a $75,000 grant from Food Well to implement their plan.

The city of Clarkston has numerous active organizations focused on food and agriculture issues that can bring their strengths and experience to drive the City Agriculture Planning process by focusing on:

• Increasing access to fresh food for all residents 

• Increasing local entrepreneurship opportunities

• Reducing health disparities through inclusive policy and programming 

• Prioritizing sustainability and conservation

• Honoring diverse practices and growing culturally appropriate foods

Stay tuned to learn more about Clarkston’s City Agriculture Plan and how you can get involved!

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 Clarkston through the planning phase. 

Once Clarkston’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 Clarkston is shaping the local food system and agriculture policy in DeKalb County!