Community Engagement Phase in Austell

In 2024, Food Well, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and the City of Austell embarked on the region’s fourth City Agriculture Planning process. The community engagement phase launched in February with a community survey, continued into March with a widely attended kick-off event, and concluded in June after hosting three successful focus groups with various stakeholders in the community.

The Community Engagement phase found five major themes that identified both strengths and challenges facing the local food system in Austell. These themes that will drive Austell’s City Agriculture Plan strategy recommendations are:

  • Increase Visibility and Bolster Local Food Opportunities

    • 66.6% of survey respondents want more information about where local food is sold

    • Additionally, 68.4% of respondents do not know where to access local food

  • Cultivate Educational Opportunities for Youth and Adults

    • 72.7% of people want more educational resources.

    • Educational resources were the top choice in additional programming among men, women, residents, and individuals experiencing food insecurity.

  • Grow Community Connectedness

    • As older residents retire or pass away, there has been less connection between residents and neighbors

    • Residents expressed the need to respond to Austell’s growth by ensuring the city is a destination for local growers and agriculture enthusiasts

  • Foster Relationships Among Current and Beginning Growers

    • 73.4% of respondents reported growing their own food, however only 32.4% of respondents identified as growers

    • 61% of growers reported wanting a home growers organization

    • Community Conversations found that growers currently operate in silos

  • Create New Local Food System Engagement and Access Points

    • 92% of respondents reported that accessing local food was extremely or very important to them

    • 80.7% of respondents were looking for expanded options when it comes to farmers market access

Austell’s City Agriculture Plan should be finalized at the end of 2024.

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.

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!