Merging Opposing Viewpoints: Analysis of the Development of a Statewide Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council in a Traditional Agricultural State

Molly De Marco,Larissa Calancie,Leah Chapman,Cordon Mcgee,Alice Ammerman,Lauren Burnham

doi:10.5304/jafscd.2017.073.018

Abstract

Food policy councils (FPCs) are a useful way for interested groups to work together to create mutually beneficial change within the food system. Often formed through grassroots organizing or commissioned by governmental entities, FPCs have been successful at tackling challenges within food systems by creating forums to address issues whose roots ordinarily are in disparate parts of these systems. Little peer-reviewed research exists, however, examining the formation of state-level FPCs, particularly among states known for their conventional production practices. In this case study, we explored the process of forming a statewide FPC in North Carolina from 2007 to 2009. The objectives were to (a) qualitatively examine the two-year process of forming a statewide FPC in a traditional agriculture state, and (b) identify the factors that led to its formation. To do so, we developed an in-depth interview guide for interviewing eight individuals, including government stakeholders, conventional agricultural producers, sustainable agricultural producers, philanthropists, and legal representatives. We used qualitative analysis methods to analyze the transcripts, drawing on John Kingdon’s agenda-setting and policy-formation theory to guide analysis. Results indicated that four factors drove the formation of the North Carolina state-level FPC: (1) stakeholder involvement, (2) diverse partnerships, (3) stakeholder ability to compromise, and (4) a conducive political setting. While the small sample size prevents us from causally interpreting our results and generalizing our findings, this preliminary research may provide insight for other states, especially those with a predominately traditional agriculture system, that are interested in forming state-level FPCs.

Highlights

According to the Agriculture Sustainability Institute at the University of California, Davis, a food system is typically defined by five major components: production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, n.d.)
The North Carolina Food policy councils (FPCs) was active through the life of the grant, but because it lacked stateimplemented legislation to mandate its existence as a state-sanctioned entity, it was disbanded at the end of the grant cycle in 2003
There may be lessons for states and municipalities interested in state-level food policy councils, especially those that have both strong conventional and strong sustainable agriculture systems. For this exploratory case study, we examined the realities of forming a statewide food policy council, a relatively new development as there are currently only eight statewide FPCs, in a state dominated by conventional agriculture production, through interviews with a diverse group of stakeholders

Summary

Introduction

Working Interest Teams (WITs) were formed around a variety of food-related issues, including a team that discussed forming a council Members of this WIT drafted policy language and sent it to their legislators in various regions of the state. One member of the North Carolina House and one of the North Carolina Senate had already considered such legislation and instructed staff to draft the initial legislation for a statewide food policy council based on the draft language provided by the WIT. Conventional agriculture representatives were able to accept inclusion of the word because the bill used the USDA definition of sustainable from the 1990s (Farm Bill, 1990), with which they felt comfortable

Methods

Results

Conclusion