Farm Membership

Registration Now Open!
Visit www.ourlocalfoodks.com to register!

By registering you will:
  • Be listed on the website and have a spot on the local food map
  • Have access to OLF branding materials (including some new options this year)
  • Enjoy a wide range of locally-based and statewide promotional opportunities through our network, website, monthly email newsletters, special events, blog posts, and social media work on your behalf
  • Be more easily be able to network with other farms, farmers markets and food-related businesses in the region and the state
  • Receive discounts on educational opportunities provided by the Kansas Rural Center
  • Be part of this effort to rebuild a local and regional sustainable food system

Farm memberships in 2012 are complementary! Our Local Food memberships are made possible through a Kansas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block and Risk Managment Agency grant.
     
Rules of Eligibility 2012
FARMS:
Eligible for membership are farmers that grow or raise foods or other agricultural products (ornamental plants, bedding plants, cut flowers or Christmas trees) in the ten county program region primarily for consumption in these counties. Farmers with a similar local focus who reside outside these counties may be approved for membership in the Our Local Food-South Central (OLF-SC) program based on one of the following exemptions: (1) a pre-existing market in the chapter region, (2) a product not readily available in the chapter region, or (3) the ability to significantly and uniquely stimulate the local food economy.
Please note:
•  The primary market for products promoted with OLF-SC materials must be the campaign region.
•  OLF-SC products must be traceable to a specific farm.
•  OLF-SC materials should be used only for locally grown products. OLF-SC members who also retail non-locally produced items are expected to be sure such products are properly labeled to distinguish them from local foods. Example: Missouri Peaches.
 

 

Our Local Food Participation Agreement
PURPOSE: Because the effectiveness of the Our Local Food campaign (herein “OLF”) depends on consumer trust in the integrity of the OLF label (i.e. most importantly, products are locally produced and fresh), members AGREE to follow these guidelines to ensure appropriate, equitable and consistent use of the label by all parties involved.
LABEL & PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS: All OLF point of sale and promotional materials are copyrighted and MUST NOT BE COPIED or otherwise reproduced without prior written consent of the program. Membership in OLF provides you with permission. OLF-SC promotional materials may only be used in connection with the sale of products meeting the local product and market area definitions (see below).
LOCAL PRODUCT DEFINITION: “Local product” means food products produced as close to the point of purchase or consumption, as possible. For the purpose of the South Central campaign, the local product definition includes those products, which are produced, processed, prepared, raised, or grown, in Butler, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Reno, Sedgwick, or Sumner Counties.
Other products grown or produced in Kansas may meet the local product definition as determined on a case-by-case basis, in coordination with the Chapter Coordinator and Steering Committee.
LOCAL MARKET AREA DEFINITION: “Local market” means that any local product being advertised or otherwise promoted through the OLF campaign within Butler, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Reno, Sedgwick, or Sumner Counties.
FARM TRACEABILITY: With respect to meat, dairy, eggs, honey, processed foods, fruit and vegetables, the OLF label can be used only in the local market area for qualifying local products, traceable to specific, individual farms. For example, “Happy Farm’s garlic from Harper” meets the traceability criteria for a local product.
LOCALLY PROCESSED FOODS: Locally processed foods carrying the OLF label must contain at least one primary local product or ingredient that is traceable to a specific, local farm. For example: an apple pie made by the Miller Family with local apples from Smith Fruit Farm in Hutchinson would qualify, but a locally baked apple pie that contains no locally produced ingredients would not.
EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING LOCAL MARKETS: OLF program is intended to stimulate the economic, agricultural, and culinary vitality of the South Central region by promoting locally owned and operated, independent family and community-based farms and other food related businesses, which are primarily serving this local market area. This program is neither designed, nor intended to support local producers, processors, or food artisans who either a) have a non-local ownership structure, or b) have well-established distribution channels outside of this local market area. For example, tomatoes from Missouri do not meet the guidelines for the OLF label. The campaign reserves the right to disqualify any local product, which does not meet these guidelines or the general spirit of the campaign, under its sole discretion. 

Our Local Food Membership Pledge
MEMBER PLEDGE: Our members pledge to make the following commitments to promote the values and development of the Our Local Food-South Central program: 
CONSULTATION PLEDGE: Consult with the OLF-SC campaign whenever there is a question regarding product eligibility;
EVALUATION PLEDGE: Self-monitor your progress toward the local purchasing goal, complete and return a year end campaign survey, and provide the campaign with critical feedback to help evaluate and improve the program’s reach and effectiveness;
RECOGNITION PLEDGE: Be ready to be recognized for your contribution toward the OLF-SC campaign goals.

PARTICIPATING FARMS, RESTAURANTS, CATERERS, GROCERS, MEAT LOCKERS, PROCESSORS, BROKERS AND DISTRIBUTORS AGREE TO:
  • Use OLF-SC promotional materials only in conjunction with qualifying local products; 
  • Agree to preserve the identity of the producer to the end consumer and be able to document the origin of any local products being promoted under the program; 
  • Commit to growing or purchasing local products and to work with the OLF-SC staff to help facilitate the development of the South Central Kansas local food market. 
  • Set a local purchasing goal of a particular percent or a particular dollar amount for the period of June-October, and report results back to the program in November (data tracking and data submission is voluntary but appreciated and critically important). Proprietary information, such as total dollars spent on local purchases by participating OLF-SC producers, will be kept confidential, if requested. 
KANSAS RURAL CENTER AGREES TO:
  • Provide participating farms and businesses with OLF-SC program promotional support;
  • Serve as the operator of the Our Local Food-South Central program, including attempting to measure and define the contributions of local, independently operated restaurants, local producers, and other stakeholders in developing the South Central Kansas local food system, with associated economic, social and cultural benefits;
  • Advocate for increased sales volume and market penetration of locally grown products in our area and throughout the state of Kansas;
  • Host an online local food directory for businesses and consumers, which provides information about Our Local Food-South Central members and sponsors;
  • Provide access to special OLF-SC events, merchandise and services.
PROGRAM VIOLATIONS: Any participant who violates one or more of the program guidelines above may be asked to immediately terminate all promotional activities associated with the OLF-SC campaign, at the sole discretion of program management. Membership fees and fees paid for promotional materials are non-refundable.

Please download the Member Information Pack for your records. This PDF contains information about the program including eligibility, participation agreement and member pledge.

We appreciate your cooperation in support of the OLF-SC program’s goals and objectives. Your feedback is welcome and needed. Please direct questions and comments to:
Natalie Fullerton, Our Local Food-South Central Chapter Coordinator:
402-310-0177, southcentral.olf@gmail.com
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