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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUrban Agriculture SABUrban Agriculture Benefits and Adaptations to Consider for Oshkosh Overview ▪What is urban agriculture ▪Benefits & Challenges ▪Case Study: St. Paul, MN ▪Q & A Frogtown Farm, St. Paul, MN (https://www.frogtownfarm.org/our-story) Definition of Urban Agriculture ▪Urban Agriculture is… ▪Part of a local food system ▪Food is produced within an urban area and marketed to consumers within that area ▪Can include animal husbandry (e.g., breeding and raising livestock), beekeeping, aquaculture (e.g., fish farming), aquaponics (e.g., integrating fish farming and agriculture), and non-food products such as producing seeds, cultivating seedlings, and growing flowers. ▪Contributes to the revitalization of abandoned or under- utilized urban land, social and economic benefits to urban communities, and beneficial impacts on the urban landscape. https://www.epa.gov/agriculture/agricultural-crops#UrbanAgriculture Ohio City Farm, Cleveland, Ohio (https://www.ohiocityfarm.com/abou t) Benefits of Urban Agriculture: Social & Economic ▪Accessible: increase food security by providing access to fresh produce & goods in community ▪Adaptable: takes many forms (community gardens, market gardens, urban orchards), fitting into existing neighborhoods in a cohesive way ▪Builds Community: stimulates local economy, encourages neighborhood interaction, builds more resilient communities for times of crisis, & beautifies neighborhoods ▪Educational Opportunities: creates opportunities to educate about food systems, sustainability, and healthy lifestyles https://clf.jhsph.edu/stories/within-reason-getting-most-urban-ag https://online.aurora.edu/plants-policies-urban-farming/& https://ucanr.edu/sites/CEprogramevaluation/files/215003.pdf Benefits of Urban Agriculture: Environmental & Sustainable ▪Proximity: decreased food miles (conventionally-grown food travels average of 1,494 miles to market) and increase in farm-to-table style produce ▪Local Demand: facilitate education of and demand for local products ▪Ecosystem Services: increases carbon sequestration, actively fights against climate change, absorbs heat to reduce heat index, increases biodiversity of plants and animals, reduces rainwater flooding events https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_far_did_your_food_travel_to_get_to_you#:~:text=While %20at%20the%20same%20time,reach%20the%20points%20of%20sale.%E2%80%9D & https://eos.org/research-spotlights/urban-agriculture-could-provide-billions-in-ecosystem- services#:~:text=Expanding%20agriculture%20efforts%20in%20cities,%2C%20ecosystem%20 health%2C%20and%20more.&text=In%20a%20new%20paper%2C%20Clinton,global%20scale %E2%80%94current%20and%20future Challenges for Urban Agriculture ▪Educating the public on importance of urban agricultural ventures and reality of urban farms vs their industrial counterparts. ▪Regulations on types of farming need to be considered, as well as what constitutes as business. ▪Oshkosh city permits/ordinances/codes currently too restrictive to allow for urban agricultural practices to flourish. Detroit Farm & Cider, Detroit, MI (https://www.detroitfarmandcider.co m/) Case Study: St. Paul, MN ▪Sec. 65.771 ▪“The principal use of land for production of food or horticulture crops to be harvested, sold, or donated.” ▪Vacant properties must submit an urban agriculture application with fee and supporting documentation. ▪All applicants must have soil lead tests done on properties. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety- inspections/department-safety-and-inspections- zoning/urban-agriculture Urban Roots (https://www.facebook.com/urbanrootsmn/about/?ref=page_internal) Case Study: St. Paul, MN ▪Standards & Conditions for all Agricultural Uses ▪Approval of site plan showing locale for all growing plots, sheds, structures, fencing, and contact information. Soil lead test of less than 100 ppm or must create raised beds with barrier to soil. ▪Building permit for structures 200 square feet or larger and fences. ▪Residential, traditional neighborhood & business districts with more than 1 acre of agriculture requires conditional use permit. ▪Area subject to minimum Property Maintenance Standards and Noise Regulations of St. Paul. ▪Can only keep bees in St. Paul. ▪Propose wording for bees and chickens (and ducks?) though various permits. ▪Must control odor, dust, erosion, lighting, and noise to be compliant with city standards. ▪Tools, equipment, and material shall be stored and concealed in secured structure. ▪When agriculture use is discontinued, property shall be restored with grass or planted ground cover to control erosion, dust, and mud. All accessory structures shall be removed. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/department-safety-and-inspections- zoning/urban-agriculture Case Study: St. Paul, MN ▪Standards & Conditions in Residential & Traditional Neighborhood districts for use of less than 1 acre: ▪On-site sales limited to products grown on site. Sales limited to 3 times a calendar year and only from 7AM-7PM. ▪Suggest adding a designated product pick-up for 1 day a week from 7AM-7PM as well as clarifying language for on site visitors during hours of 7AM-7PM week days and 10AM-7PM on weekends ▪Sales held on property of seller or by otherwise lawful occupied property and not on public sidewalk or boulevard. ▪Gardening equipment limited to commonly used for household gardening. ▪Accessory buildings not greater in area than 10% of parcel or 1000 square feet, whichever is greater. ▪Temporary structures not exceeding 180s days per year (hoop houses, cold frames, etc), for extending seasons are permitted. ▪Building permit for any temporary structure cover more than 200 square feet. ▪1 identification sign, not more than 6 square feet, allowed. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/department-safety-and-inspections- zoning/urban-agriculture Case Study: St. Paul, MN ▪Other Applicable Code Requirements ▪Exterior areas shall be maintained free from garbage, solid waste, feces, and refuse. ▪Ground covers to control erosion, dust and mud via grass, trees, shrubs, paving or other means. ▪Insect and rodent infestations are the responsibility of owner to eliminate. ▪Grass cannot be a height of 8 inches or more. ▪Fees: ▪Urban Agriculture Application: $32 ▪Other permits may include: Animal Keeping, Signs, Building, and Fences https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/department-safety-and- inspections-zoning/urban-agriculture Summary: Proposal for Oshkosh ▪Adopt urban agriculture definition: ▪“The principal use of land for production of food or horticulture crops to be harvested, sold, or donated.” ▪Adopt all language for standards and conditions: ▪Properties must submit an urban agriculture application with fee and supporting documentation. ▪All applicants must have soil lead tests done on properties. ▪Adapt wording to be inclusive of chicken (and duck?) permits in addition to bees. ▪Clarify sales structure by detailing sites may have one designated pick up/sales day a week as well as regulations for on site visitors during hours of 7AM-7PM week days and 10AM-7PM on weekends. ▪Adopt fee structure ▪Make equitable for all applicants-keep to $50 or below. Questions?