2012 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum

a national information resource for value-added agriculture

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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 » Upcoming Events

February 23, 2012 - February 24, 2012

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote speech followed by several guest speakers.
Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the foreign trade and economic outlooks.

Breakout Sessions
Twenty-five breakout sessions with more than 80 speakers will focus on a broad range of topical issues related to agriculture and global food security; foreign trade, financial markets and economic development; conservation; energy; climate change; food safety; food hubs; extension programs; and next-generation farmers. The Agricultural Outlook Forum also will feature their traditional commodity and supply and demand outlook sessions and luncheons.

To register, please visit the Forum website.

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