Promote and connect local farms with the community through integrated partnerships.
Bluegrass Farm-to-Table was founded in 2015 with a mission to promote the development of a more vibrant local food economy by supporting food-related agricultural development. It has 21 partners including the government, universities, schools, farms, private entities throughout the community. Supporting the local food system has important implications for consumers, farmers, food-related businesses and entrepreneurs, and the community as a whole.
Environmental Benefits include (Reference: http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/livability/local-food/about):
- Farmland is an important economic asset. As cities develop, they often infringe upon and fragment farmland. Therefore, it is important to preserve productive farmland to maintain the integrity of Lexington’s unique rural landscape and identity and support agricultural productivity as an important piece of the local economy.
- Purchasing food grown locally reduces food miles-the distance food travels from the farm to your table- and has a positive impact on the environment. The average food item travels 1,500 miles, compared to the average locally-produced item, which travels only 56 miles.
- Supporting local food systems can help reduce waste. Approximately 41 percent of U.S. food waste goes to landfills. Instead of taking up space in the landfill, the valuable nutrients in wasted food could be composted and used for a variety of purposes, including local food production.
Trees Lexington! is working on a project to install a food forest at One Parent Scholar House at the Hope Center. Horse Country, Inc., promotes tours of horse farms, equine medical facilities, and equine suppliers. There are 150 horse farms in Fayette County. Nine of the tours offered by Horse Country are located in Fayette County, while the remaining are in other counties.