Urban Agriculture and the Church: The New Frontier for the 21st Century
Description: Using the public/private partnership approach, 31st Street Baptist Church has been able to address the issues associated with “food deserts” by teaming up with local and federal governmental agencies, non-profits and the 1890 land grant institutions of higher learning. Additionally, through affiliations with health care providers, we have connected dietary and nutritional professionals to assist in meeting the holistic needs of the individual and provide educational information that gives clients opportunities to change their behavior and improve their quality of life.
Farming-It’s So Citified: An Urban Agriculture Marketing Campaign
Description: Urban agriculture has significantly increased in popularity over the last few years
among West Virginia communities. To address this growing interest, Extension Services at West Virginia State University (WVSU) and West Virginia University (WVU) partnered with local agencies to host the inaugural West Virginia Urban Agriculture Conference, offering expert instruction on regionally relevant topics. An innovative marketing campaign was developed to generate buzz and increase participation using character-based marketing tactics delivered through social media platforms, print communication, traditional media and merchandise. The cornerstone of the campaign was Chicken Stu, the official “spokes-chicken” of the conference, who shared his journey from the farm to the city via social media.
