Bed and Breakfast

a national information resource for value-added agriculture

Contact
Us

Directories &
State Resources

Renewable
Energy

Business
Development

Markets
& Industries

Commodities
& Products

Browse

Announcements

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 » Starting a Business » Special Types of Businesses » Bed and Breakfast

The rural setting of farm businesses provides many farmers with the opportunity to offer bed and breakfast services to the public. Farm businesses with a unique rural setting that area located close to metropolitan areas have the most potential. A key to success is being able to provide the time and effort needed to provide bed and breakfast services without negatively impacting the operating of the farm business.

For more information on this topic, see the links listed below of articles posted on related Web sites.

Bed and Breakfasts: Is This the Right Business for You? – University of Missouri Extension -- Considering a bed and breakfast? Learn tips from other bed and breakfast owners in Missouri through this booklet.
Establishing the Ambiance in a Bed and Breakfast or Farm Vacation Home – University of Minnesota Extension – Eight tips for a bed and breakfast.
Bed and Breakfast: Hosting Travelers for Extra Income – Direct Marketing and Tourism Handbook, University of Arizona – It is possible to earn extra income by selling the farm experience and lifestyle to guests.

Specific Commodities and Products

Home-Based Businesses

Hometown Businesses

Agri-tourism/Agri-tainment

Specialty Food Businesses

Consumer Food Cooperatives

Catering Businesses

Marketing Overview

Direct Marketing

Promotion

Financial Management

Hiring Employees

Regulatory Considerations

Partially Funded by USDA Rural Development
...and justice for all.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

The names, words, symbols, and graphics representing Iowa State University are trademarks and copyrights of the university, protected by trademark and copyright laws of the U.S. and other countries.