New CAFS Resources: Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production: A Guide to Local Policy

CAFS is excited to announce the release of “Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production: A Guide to Local Policy,” developed with support from USDA. This comprehensive resource scans policies from 17 “urban agriculture hub” cities designated by the USDA to provide a picture of the local policy landscape that either challenges or supports urban agriculture. Covering six key areas—land access, zoning and land use, city governance, water access, soil health, and innovative production—this guide identifies common barriers, policy strategies, and key takeaways for both policymakers and food producers. 

Coauthored by Visiting Assistant Professor Liz Turner, Deputy Director and Senior Researcher Lihlani Nelson, Director of Research and Senior Research Fellow Emily Spiegel, and former CAFS intern Margaret Kaniecki, this resource is based on input from over 120 farmers, organizers, municipal officials, and other stakeholders across the country. Together, their insights create a roadmap for shaping local policy to better support urban food production.  Click here to view the Guide

Alongside the guide, CAFS has published a series of fact sheets that distill the research down for quick reference for both producers and policymakers. These six fact sheets correspond with the key areas covered in the guide: 

• Land Access
• Zoning and Land Use
• City Governance and Public Funding
• Water Access
• Soil Health and Composting
• Innovative Production

Together, these resources kick off CAFS’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Policy Project, supported by the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Building on the guide and fact sheets, CAFS will publish a series of case studies that highlight real-world examples of city policies and programs that support urban agriculture and innovative production.  Learn More