What Happened?
The City of Boston recently announced a new Urban Agriculture Initiative through its planning and economic development agency to rezone land for urban agricultural use.
So What?
The key elements of the initiative include:
- Increase access to affordable and healthy food, particularly for underserved communities.
- Promote economic opportunity and greater self-sufficiency for people in need, including increasing the capacity of Boston residents and business and grow and distribute local and healthy food;
- Increase education and knowledge around healthy eating and food production, particularly among youth.
- Increase partnerships with, and/or between, local and regional food producers
- Increase healthy food supplies to local schools, organizations, institutions and corner stores.
The new planning initiative includes two phases:
1. Phase I: The Pilot Urban Agriculture Rezoning project involved the creation of an Urban Agriculture Overlay District on two city-owned properties in South Dorchester and the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify prospective farmers. Extensive community participation including five community meetings and regular dialogue with community leaders was involved in the rezoning process, RFP process, and selection of the farmers.
2. Phase II: The Citywide Rezoning Initiative seeks to amend the current zoning code through this article by studying six research modules including:
- Soil safety, pesticides and fertilizers, & composting
- Growing of produce & accessory structures
- Rooftop & vertical agriculture
- Hydroponics and aquaculture
- Keeping of animals and bees
- Farmers markets, winter markets, farm stands and sales
Impact Of Zoning
Major municipalities nationwide are embracing urban farming initiatives to make better use of local resources and spur economic activity in the community. The increased supply of fresh food makes nutrition more affordable for urban families and schools, while micro-farms are transforming into sustainable businesses, some generated more than $32,000 in sales each year on just 20,000 square feet of land. Local restaurants and grocery stores are stocking up on fresh produce from the projects, creating affordable options for food sources to increase cost efficiency.
Municipalities can make urban agriculture a reality through shifts in zoning requirements to support the burgeoning businesses. The American Planning Association explains how local governments can promote urban agriculture:
- Include urban agriculture in the planning process of a component of land-use and food policy
- Establish programs and organizations to drive innovation and growth
- Create urban agriculture zoning and permitting processes
With regard to zoning, municipalities can embed urban agriculture specifics into zoning ordinances to support more efficient use of land to support the local community.
- The Milwaukee zoning ordinance, for example, has a clause to permit the raising of crops or livestock in residential districts.
- The city of Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan drafted a goal of dedicating a community garden for each 2,500 households in the community to support urban agriculture.
- The Nashville Commercial and Noncommercial Community Gardening zoning ordinance has changed its regulations to allow commercial and noncommercial community gardens under permitted use or special exception use classifications.
Works In Progress
New York City has launched its own urban gardening and agriculture program as part of a city-wide effort to redevelop land and engage residents in economic initiatives. The GreenThumb program provides residents with materials to support more than 500 gardens in the city, as well as gardening workshops that inform participants on the basics of gardening as well as more advanced strategies and community effort best practices. The GreenThumb gardens are located in once vacant lots and vary from relaxing spaces to full-functioning farms. Volunteer residents manage the land with the same goals in mind:
- Create valuable green space in an urban setting
- Improve air quality
- Enhance bio-diversity
- Boost well-being of local residents
The program offers program guides and events to support sustainability and best practices for land use, providing opportunities for residents to engage in the project and take it a step further through certifications and educational programs provided by the government and local suppliers.
City Farms Bloom
Gov1 has been following the urban farming efforts in Massachusetts as well as projects in other major cities that are reaping the benefits of alternative farming practices.