Food Compass

Mar 28, 2012

The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass is a valuable resource for food producers, community leaders and consumers.

This online multi-media resource provides seamless access to programs designed to support local food systems under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative. This effort combines the work of 17 USDA agencies and is producing some powerful results.

From the USDA,

“The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass is a valuable resource documenting the innovation, entrepreneurship and impact of local food systems across the country. It [Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative] is driving job growth, keeping farmers and on the land, and keeping wealth in rural communities. We invite you to dive deep into this new tool, and be inspired by the stories it tells and the ideas it can spur for you and your community.”

Much of the information at the site is shared in a narrative format, providing viewers with an in-depth, inside look into the nation’s local food systems.

Topics include:

  • The what and why of local foods
  • What is Know Your Farmer?
  • Local food infrastructure
  • Stewardship and local food
  • Local meat and poultry
  • Farm to institution
  • Healthy food access
  • Careers in agriculture
  • Local food knowledge
  • Local food: Not Just USDA
  • Case studies
  • Conclusions
  • Grants, loans and other resources
    Strong local food systems are good for producers, consumers, and communities.
    Strong local food systems are good for producers, consumers, and communities.