Problem:Local products are scarce in Cochise County's rural communities, with 35,697 residents in a USDA-designated food desert (28% total population). Hispanic residents are disproportionately affected, constituting 42% of food desert residents but only 35% of the total population. Although much of the county is agricultural land, local producers mostly distribute outside the county, revealing a missing link with in-county distribution channels. Additionally, the US Southwest's water crisis, worsened by climate change and groundwater pumping, calls for local leadership to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.Methods/Approaches:•Provide structure, governance, strategies and support to the HCCs focused on food access and water conservation.•Teach Strategic Doing alongside producers.•Annual CLA with targeted recruitment/ engagement of producers and Hispanic/Latino participants•CLA curriculum adapted to include climate/food access issues relating to public health and wellbeing.•HCC engagement with producers.•Provide educational opportunities for local producers interested in transitioning their operation to local food markets•Dissemination efforts: annual Healthy Communities Summit, eXtension publication, and National Extension meetings and publicationsUltimate goals:Over four years, the project aims to train 60-80 CLA participants, including 40 local producers and 40 Hispanic/Latino. They will gain leadership and advocacy skills for sustainable changes in their communities and complete a community development project. Dedicated leadership for HCCs will foster a common agenda for strengthening the local food system. At least 50% of CLA graduates are expected to join or participate in an HCC-led community initiative, which will increase agricultural partnerships addressing food insecurity. The project team will offer technical assistance to 17-26 producers (60% are Hispanic/Latino). Through community projects and local distribution, the project targets an annual 10% increase in local food distribution across 8 sites with limited food access.