Student Corner: Community Gardens: Documenting Ordinances in Major US Urban Areas

Community and Economic Development – Blog by UNC School of Government

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Student Corner: Community Gardens: Documenting Ordinances in Major US Urban Areas

By CED Program Interns & Students

Published February 10, 2022

 As cities look to create inclusive spaces for community and economic development, urban farming is an inventive potential for green growth. These green spaces promote regeneration within neighborhoods, produce fresh produce in food deserts, and provide a community for historically disenfranchised communities. Throughout  the last decade, North Carolina cities have created innovative solutions to increasing concerns over the lack of opportunity for urban agriculture.

Community gardens often arose as marginalized populations immigrated to urban areas and were denied access to conventional food sources. Vietlead is a group that organizes southeast Asian communities to understand historical ties to the land and to organize for greater community control over green spaces in south Philadelphia. In Charlotte, a Black-owned and operated urban farm is seeking to expand urban farming opportunities, as only five percent of farmers in the United States are Black. As communities advocate for greater grassroots control of community space, municipal governments that wish to take on an expanded role in supporting urban agriculture can do so through municipal ordinances, zoning rules, and public-private partnerships.

However, community gardens in urban areas often are not owned by the people who cultivate them, which puts these green spaces at risk of being lost to development and gentrification. Urban community gardens might farm on condemned property owned by developers and not have legal ownership themselves. In addition to the dangers of development, the soil in urban spaces may be contaminated with toxic heavy metals that impair human health. As community gardens are established, the process of revitalizing green space and community often encourages property renewal, and developers buy and renovate the property. The increase in property value can push out long-term residents, inflate the cost of living, and weaken community bonds.

Local governments have enacted various methods to protect urban agriculture. Cities have modified ordinances related to noise and manure to relax standards on raising livestock, particularly chickens and beehives. The ability to harvest eggs and honey increases pollination and ecological diversity in urban areas. Greensboro Parks and Recreation supports several community gardens within existing parks and has a community garden coordinator on staff.  Raleigh’s community climate action plan and strategic plan align with Wake County’s food security plan to highlight the need for urban agriculture for healthy and local food networks. The City of Raleigh also created a neighborhood grant program and free yard waste for community gardens. North Carolina cities’ innovative solutions could be seen as stepping stones for other municipalities across the state to jump start urban agriculture.

Universities have also contributed to urban agriculture. NC State Extension provides resources for community gardeners concerning soil sample testing, community garden registration, and gardening tips. Students at schools from elementary to university level volunteer in community gardens whose produce might go to mutual aid, vulnerable populations, or the cafeteria. At UNC-Chapel Hill, edible gardens across campus promote foraging and food pantry donations.

In an effort to aid urban municipalities, the USDA has authorized the first federal advisory committee on urban agriculture. The 12 member committee is composed of producers as well as representatives from the education and economic development sectors. The committee was created from the 2018 federal farm bill and aims to support urban agriculture, composting, and food waste reduction. In addition to the committee, the USDA has coordinated urban gardening grants, cooperative waste reduction agreements, and higher education risk management partnerships. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has emphasized that the committee’s work feeds into the USDA’s efforts to bolster equity, promote safe and nutritious food, and combat climate change.

As major urban areas continue to grow and develop, North Carolina local governments could incorporate an agriculture element into their comprehensive land-use plans. Lawrence, Kansas established an urban agriculture program in 2012 to lease under-utilized properties at low or no cost, for community gardens. The largest municipalities have begun crafting urban agriculture plans in the last decade. The creation of a comprehensive urban agriculture plan reflects the need for intersectional policy that includes zoning changes, public-private partnerships, land sovereignty, access to supplies, and sustainable farming practices. Philadelphia’s parks and recreation department partnered with local gardening groups and community organizations to begin crafting their urban agriculture plan.

As North Carolina cities look to the future, urban agriculture could enliven residents to create meaningful change through local food networks right in their community.

Ben Lasley is student with the Master of Public Administration program at UNC – Chapel Hill.