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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Business Development » Authors » William Edwards

William Edwards
Iowa State Extension Economist
478C Heady
515.294.6161
wedwards@iastate.edu

Informative Articles

Developing an Income Statement for a Value-Added Farm Business – Revised August 2009.
Developing a Net Worth Statement for a Value-Added Farm Business – Revised August 2009.
Cash Flow Budgeting for a Value-Added Farm Business – Revised August 2009.
Understanding Financial Performance Measures – Revised August 2009.
Survey of Wages and Benefits for Farm Employees – Reviewed August 2009.
Bonus Plans for Farm Employees – Reviewed August 2009.

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