(05/01/17) TALLULAH, La. — Tallulah community leaders aiming to revitalize the local economy by creating connections between local foods and healthy living took part in Local Foods, Local Places workshop on April 19–20. The project is part of a technical assistance program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Smart Growth initiative.

In partnership with the city of Tallulah, the LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities initiative applied to the national program for support to link multiple healthy living initiatives already underway and develop an action plan, said Elisabeth Altazan, Healthy Communities program manager.

“The project is a great fit, but planning has been the biggest challenge, so having an expert from an outside planning group to facilitate that process is very helpful,” Altazan said.

Tallulah is one of 23 sites selected from just under 300 applicants nationwide, said Luctrician Hamilton of the EPA Office of Sustainable Communities in Washington, D.C.

“By focusing on improving access to local and healthy foods, the EPA’s Local Foods, Local Places program is an excellent opportunity for communities to revitalize their local, regional and in many cases struggling economies to a state of vibrancy and environmental resilience,” Hamilton said.

Jason Espie, a consultant with the Renaissance Planning Group contracted by EPA to lead the two-day workshop, said the process is sometimes as important as the actual product because it will yield relationships that will help get things done.

Espie identified three goals of the workshop: better access to local healthy food, especially for under-resourced populations; revitalizing downtown and existing neighborhoods; and strengthening school and community garden projects.

Together with state, regional and national agency partners, program participants developed a three-part action plan to leverage existing community assets, incorporate ongoing improvement projects and identify funding and developmental resources.

Representatives of national and regional EPA offices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development, the Delta Regional Authority, the Center for Planning Excellence, the Louisiana Department of Health Well Ahead program, the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Ag Center joined local leaders in the workshop.

Vernell Williams, area director for the USDA Office of Rural Development in Monroe, Louisiana, said the program opens opportunity for change in the community.

“Our main goal is to give rural communities a level playing field in terms of economic development and provide insight into any applicable programs and services that we offer,” said Eddie Thompson, state community development specialist with the USDA Office of Rural Development.

The Center for Planning Excellence, a nonprofit organization that coordinates urban, rural and regional planning efforts in Louisiana, is working with local leaders to launch Complete Streets, a development project designed to implement a transportation network with all users in mind, said Jessica Kemp, vice president of policy and advocacy.

“We are talking about blighted properties, revitalization, the economy and active transportation that is so important for accessing healthy destinations and increasing opportunities to make exercise, walking, running and biking a part of everyday life,” Kemp said.

The Healthy Communities coalition is already working on plans to revitalize the community playground, improve safety and put in crosswalks, said Tori McDonald, AgCenter Healthy Communities project coordinator in Tensas and Madison parishes.

“Sustainability of this program will come from the citizens,” Gina Eubanks, AgCenter associate vice president.

The Healthy Communities initiative is funded through a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through LSU and Southern University agricultural centers, LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Louisiana Department of Health.

Jason Espie, consultant with the Renaissance Planning Group, facilitates an asset mapping exercise with Chanel Carter with KenRice Pac and LSU AgCenter nutrition agent Brittney Seay at the Local Foods, Local Places workshop sponsored by the U.S. EPA Smart Growth initiative. Photo by Karol Osborne/LSU AgCenter