Urban Agriculture Workshops for Urban Planners
Agricultural Economics & Community Development
Hannah Wooten
Commercial Horticulture
UF/IFAS
Orlando
Abstract
Orange County, Florida’s population is projected to swell by 700,000 new residents by 2050, exceeding 2 million. Orange County is updating their strategic plan with sustainability elements but failed to consider food for this growing population—despite Florida’s valuable agricultural industry. Locals celebrate “foodie” culture supporting 600+ local farms—small, large, urban, and rural—but lack of food system planning threatens the resilience of Orange County farms and communities. As is common with local government decision makers, the County’s Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer prioritizes food but needs agricultural expertise to draft effective ordinances supporting agriculture, in particular, urban agriculture. Realizing the need for agricultural education, county government partnered with UF/IFAS Extension Orange County to receive two 1.5-hour workshops to 29 planners and department directors during May and June 2021. Preceding workshops, an IRB Approved survey was administered (n=19) to assess participants’ baseline perceptions of and knowledge about urban agriculture and local food policy. The first interactive presentation explained urban agriculture and food systems. The second hybrid session was collaborative seeking department specific solutions to increase agricultural resilience. The result is cooperation among UF/IFAS Extension and local government who is now developing language to incorporate food into the strategic plan. A follow up survey was administered to planners and policy makers 9 months after the trainings (n=4) where 100% of respondents indicated increased knowledge about the significance of agriculture in Florida, complexities of the food system, and urban farming techniques. It is somewhat or extremely likely that urban agriculture will be incorporated into plans in Orange County. Respondents indicated that more training about physical locations and funding initiatives well-suited for urban agriculture will assist in determining next steps. As a result of responsive, targeted workshops, the county continues to turn to UF/IFAS Extension for local expertise related to food, farms, fertilizer, and trees and a focus on educating planners and policy makers is key.
Authors: Liz Felter, Hannah Wooten, Kevin Camm, Catherine Campbell
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Liz Felter Regional Specialized Agent, Food Systems, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32703
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Hannah Wooten Extension Agent, Commercial Horticulture, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32812
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Kevin Camm County Extension Director, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32812
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Catherine Campbell Assistant Professor, Community Food Systems, UF/IFAS, Florida, 32703