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Challenges in obesity, diet related diseases, hunger, rising energy costs, a growing population, dwindling water supplies and a changing climate require our attention, and it is our responsibility to lead the way for an advanced 21st century food supply."

— California Department of Food & Agriculture
 
Keeping Farmers on the Land
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Planning for agriculture and food systems

Whether community, state or regional — planning is not complete without a plan for food and agriculture. We're working across the country to help create the vision, road map and policies needed so local agriculture can grow to meet increasing public demands for local food, energy and ecosystem services. Elements include: keeping land available for farming, supporting conservation practices, encouraging the next generation of farmers and investing in economic development to sustain local farms and promote universal food security.

coverNew Report: A Review of Food Policy Councils and Food System Plans

American Farmland Trust reviewed 134 food policy councils and food system plans to find out if they lead to state and local government actions to support agricultural viability, natural resource conservation and community food security. The report, Supporting Agricultural Viability and Community Food security: A Review of Food Policy Councils and Food System Plans, found that both approaches can make incremental improvements and contribute to public policy changes, especially at local levels. Both successfully engaged diverse stakeholders, analyzed data and policies, fostered dialogue and educated the public about food and food policy issues. However, the verdict is still out as to whether either approach has the ability to foster transformational, system-wide change.

 

GFC DiagramGrowing Food Connections

Growing Food Connections is a five-year integratedresearch, extension and education initiative to strengthen food systems in the United States. It seeks to build local governments’ capacity and develop public policy tools to promote community food security and agricultural viability.

 

 

washingtonPlanning for Agriculture Conference

A group of national and regional experts gathered in Seattle, Washington on April 26 to share knowledge about how to save family farms and support local food production. The conference focused on ways local governments can support farms, food and the next generation of farmers with planning, policy and infrastructure development. “We’re at a crossroads on local farms and food,” said AFT Pacific Northwest Director Dennis Canty, “We can save our local food supply, but only if we work together to protect our farmland and support our local farmers.”

Learn more about the discussion topics and download presentations.

 

Farmer carrying a basket of vegetablesLocal and Regional Food Systems

We are working to educate and engage planners, food policy council members, leaders in sustainable agriculture and other advocates of food system change. Our webinar series, Planning for Food and Agriculture: Taking a Systems Approach, seeks to provide an opportunity for individuals working in local and regional food systems to learn from successful examples.



California farmland California’s AgVision

We're partnering with the California Board of Food and Agriculture in facilitating the process to build a strategic plan for the future of agriculture in the nation’s leading farm state. California’s Ag Vision engages leaders and experts in agriculture and related fields to address economic, food safety, environmental and other pressing issues confronting growers and the agricultural sector.

cows in fieldNorth East, New York

The dairy farm community in North East, New York, found new ways to keep farms profitable by expanding into direct retail markets with products such as goat cheese, lamb, specialty lettuce and tomatoes. To make sure these and other farms in North East continue to thrive, our New York office is working with the town to address issues of zoning codes for business expansions, financing farmland protection projects, and promoting local agriculture.


Pennsylvania farm, courtesy NRCS Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Working with Wallace, Roberts & Todd (WRT) Design we helped update the Growth Management element of the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan’s strategies focused on the viability of the agricultural industry and the creation of a Smart Growth Toolbox.  The plan update, Envision Lancaster County, won a 2006 Outstanding Planning Award from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association and a 2009 National Smart Growth Achievement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  AFT also worked with and incorporated recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Agriculture: Keep Lancaster County Farming for Generations to Come.

Ohio Landowners Guide
Guiding Communities Through the Process

Planning for agriculture is an important process to ensure the future of local farms, farmland and food. AFT’s Planning for Agriculture guides are based on our experience helping dozens of towns and counties across the country create plans and programs that support agriculture.

 

 




Read more about AFT’s work across the country in:
 
American Farmland Trust