CCFB News» December 2021

Through a grassroots process, Farm Bureau members submitted the following resolutions to delegates at the 2020 Illinois Agricultural Association® annual meeting.

Urban Agriculture

This new policy section lays out Farm Bureau’s support for urban agriculture. Policy points include:

1. Recognizing the importance of urban agriculture and its contribution to the agricultural economy.
2. Urban agriculture providing safe, attractive, and welcoming spaces for neighbors to gather and foster a sense of community.
3. County Farm Bureaus working with units of government to develop agriculture-friendly zoning policies.
4. Using land management tools such as land banks, land trusts, conservation easements, and long-term leases on public and private lands so urban agriculture can flourish.
5. Advocating for new developments to include opportunities for agriculture, including rooftop and home gardens, community gardens, and urban farms, where appropriate.
6. Community programs providing services including trash collection, composting, water, and storage opportunities to alleviate costs and barriers to entry.
7. Ensuring that urban agricultural sites have access to affordable clean water sources.
8. Diverting organic waste into compost.
9. Using raised beds or hydroponics to address soil-quality concerns.
10. Using season extension tools such as indoor facilities and high tunnels.
11. The keeping of bees and beehives in urban settings providing that best management practices are followed.
12. Urban agriculture sites gaining access to agricultural markets.
13. Developing infrastructure to transport and store food for market.
14. Providing job training and skills development to beginning farmers and garden managers.

The policy submittals will be considered by the full Illinois Farm Bureau® delegation in December.