Howard County Food Council (HCFC) hosted two focus groups with local farmers to better understand their perceptions, beliefs, and experiences around
growing, raising, and distributing food in Howard County.
Currently, one in five Howard County residents is impacted by food insecurity, according to the 2024 Howard County Health Assessment Survey.
From the county press release:
“The Howard County Food Council represents a shared commitment to understanding and strengthening our local food system,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Health Officer for the Howard County Health Department. “By listening to the experiences of our farmers, we can ensure that the programs and policies we create reflect the real needs of those who feed our community.”
The Farmers Focus Group Findings Report is available here. The findings from the farmer focus groups will be shared and discussed with the Food Council’s members in the coming months. This information will serve as the foundation for the Council’s Action Plan, which will guide its activities over the next several years to support farmers and ensure that all community members have access to healthy, farm-fresh food.
Major themes emerging from the focus groups included education, public awareness, labor, regulations, marketing, land, equipment, supply costs, and local food distribution and processing. These themes will guide the HCFC as it develops strategies to improve food access, promote agricultural sustainability, and increase public engagement with local food producers.
