Urban Ag History
On March 13, 2012, the Arlington County Board adopted a charge — and appointed members for the Urban Agriculture Task Force. Members include representatives from many sectors, including non-profits, health care providers, restaurants, faith-based community, State/County programs, County advisory commissions, Arlington Public Schools, and residents at large.
The County Board’s Charge
In creating the Task Force, the County Board’s charge for the group included:
To research best practices in sustainable urban agriculture policies, and programs and make recommendations to support, expand and integrate Arlington’s existing urban agriculture efforts consistent with our community values and adopted Vision Statement:
“Arlington will be a diverse and inclusive world-class urban community with secure, attractive residential and commercial neighborhoods where people unite to form a caring, learning, participating, sustainable community in which each person is important.”
The County Board asked the Task Force to develop a Food Action Plan within 12 months, with recommendations to the County Board. The tasks include:
- Develop an inventory of existing programs/activities and identify critical gaps.
- Research best practices and investigate issues concerning food security, health and fitness benefits, food and zoning ordinance changes and food transfer infrastructure.
- Identify the pros and cons of bringing to Arlington urban agriculture programs not currently available (e.g. rooftop gardens, container/window gardening, food carts with local food, land exchanges, demonstration gardens/farm, backyard hens, backyard sharing).
- Propose a Food Action Plan that integrates existing and proposed urban agriculture policies and programs.
- Identify possible public and private sector partners.
View the Food Action Plan.