Law Students Conducting Delta Focus Groups Over Break

Photo Courtesy of University Communications

Focus groups to examine food economy issues in the MS Delta

By Allison Korn, University of Mississippi Law School

aekorn@olemiss.edu

The Transactional Legal Clinic at UM Law School and the UM Center for Population Studies, in partnership with Harvard Law School, are planning a series of focus group discussions and interviews to take place in the MS Delta over spring break.

The Clinic’s mission is to provide low-income entrepreneurs and non-profit start-ups the legal services they require to become successful businesses and organizations. Beginning March 13th, students associated with the Clinic will conduct a series of focus groups in Tutwiler and Clarksdale, asking community members questions about how they are resourceful, creative, and innovative when it comes to preparing, growing, harvesting, and buying food.

Student participants’ goal is to uncover the various ways in which these individuals are “filling the gaps” that exist between access to food and survival. The Clinic hopes that this project is the first of many that identify opportunities for supporting better food availability and food-based economic redevelopment in the MS Delta. Going forward, the Clinic plans to concentrate some of its resources to assist in the creation of thriving businesses that help meet the demand for food in the region.

The series will culminate in a collaborative World Café Discussion at 1 pm on Saturday, March 16th at the Cutrer Mansion in Clarksdale, MS. Budding entrepreneurs from the region who are interested in joining the food-related discussion are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Allison Korn (915.6823) or Marie Cope (915.7413), or by email at: umfoodworks@gmail.com.