Urban Agriculture Month

P R O C L A M A T I O N

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URBAN AGRICULTURE MONTH

WHEREAS, agriculture plays an important role in Arlington as growers produce food on rooftops, indoors and in gardens; and Arlington is a regional urban agriculture leader creating jobs and providing fresh local food; and

WHEREAS, Arlington supports community gardens and other design elements of biophilic cities, bringing an immersive experience in nature to create an appreciation of natural processes and the importance of a healthy ecosystem; and support the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed; and

WHEREAS, resiliency planning to address natural disasters, extreme climate events, and manmade emergencies highlights the importance of sustainable food systems and addressing food security by a coordinated regional approach to growing, distributing, and accessing healthy food; and

WHEREAS, Arlington County has 9 farmers markets that generate direct sales to up to 2,000 customers each market day, while expanding job opportunities for local producers and providing matching SNAP benefits; the County supports 378 community garden plots, including an ADA accessible space; the County collects yard waste and runs a pilot food composting digester program; County libraries offer a tool lending shed, educational programs and demonstration gardens; and school gardens provide learning opportunities for our youth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) and its Master Gardener and Master Food Volunteer programs offer an extensive public education programs promoting covering nutritious food; and

WHEREAS, community groups such as Friends of Urban Agriculture, promoting a fair, healthy food system and advancing the urban agriculture sector; Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)’s Plot Against Hunger gardens providing fresh produce and education to their clients; and Reevesland Learning Center’s Lawns2Lettuce4Lunch community growing for two Fiesta Salad Celebrations annually for over 700 school children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christian Dorsey, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim October 2019 as

URBAN AGRICULTURE MONTH

in Arlington County to promote and educate residents as to the benefit and importance of urban agriculture programs in our community to promote healthy and sustainable food systems.

Christian Dorsey
Chair