From the Food Policy Network listserv.
We are excited to share a newly published open-access article that catalogues policies related to urban agriculture across the 40 most populous cities in the United States: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.102013
When we say “policy,” we mean it broadly – to include regulations outlined in municipal codes and ordinances as well as city plans, guidance, and programs (e.g., city-run farms and gardens, grants, educational programs). Given that local governments often support urban agriculture indirectly through financially supporting or partnering with independent organizations, we also analyzed public policies developed by quasi-governmental organizations and public-private partnerships (including food policy councils in many cities!).
Some top-line findings that may be of most interest to food policy councils (FPCs), local government staff, and other food policy advocates:
- Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number and variety of urban agriculture policies enacted. The number of cities that have governmental plans or priorities incorporating urban agriculture, for example, has more than doubled.
- We also observed a growth of public urban agriculture policy enacted by quasi-governmental organizations and public-private partnerships. For example, local governments commissioned policy recommendations from their local FPC or enacted a grant program for urban farms and gardens through an FPC.
- Our findings illustrate that while most cities have focused their urban agriculture policies on land use planning and regulation, starting with animal husbandry and accessory structures (e.g., hoophouses, sheds), many have expanded to include land use designations specific to farms and gardens, food sales, and compost. A number of cities also have policies that cover topics such as vocational training, pest management, soil safety, and water access or use.
- The accompanying Supplementary data file can be used to compare and contrast the scope of the 420+ policies compiled across the 40 cities analyzed. You may view an overview of the types of urban agriculture policies employed in each of the cities, when they were first enacted and by what authority (e.g., city council resolution vs. mayoral initiative), and the topics addressed in tab 2. And if you’re interested in looking for which cities have addressed aquaponics in their urban agriculture policies, for example, you can filter to find those cities and even the specific policies compiled (in tab 3).
We also thank all of the local government staff and FPC practitioners who shared details or answered our questions about policies in their cities over the past year.
