Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture is hot. Interest in building a healthier, more locally-based food system is strong and growing, and that interest is spawning a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. The movement towards locally grown food and a sustainable food system is diverse. How do we leverage this interest to expand our ability to grow better food in Boston and New England while spurring economic development and supporting sustainability goals? CLF and CLF Ventures are working to answer both of those questions.

160 years ago the Parisian maraîchers pioneered intensive sustainable urban agriculture, producing year round all the vegetables consumed by Parisians on one-sixteenth of the land within the Paris city limits—with enough leftover for export to England. Today, urban agriculture—growing food in and around cities—is widely practiced around the world. The emerging vision for urban agriculture in New England is possible, but CLF believes it is more than possible—it is a necessity, and an urgent one at that. By creating a healthier local food system that is integrated within a sustainable regional food system, we can begin to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our day.

A sustainable food system is more decentralized, produces food in a manner that does not deplete but rather builds precious soil, uses water and energy efficiently and protects water resources. It is a system that values and protects the agricultural labor force, keeps more food dollars in the local economy, and broadens access to fresh healthy food for all. And, it is a system that will help us adapt to the already changing climate we now inhabit. It is a key component in creating a more livable, carbon resilient, healthier, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable cities, and it holds great promise for the Greater Boston region and for New England.

CLF Ventures examined the economic development potential for urban agriculture in Greater Boston, paired with an assessment of environmental and health co-benefits.  They found that placing fifty acres of Boston’s urban land in agricultural production would:

• Create 130 – 220 on-farm jobs, plus jobs in agricultural service sector
• Sequester about 112 tons of CO2 in well-maintained soil annually
• Divert thirty-five percent of Boston food waste from landfills, avoiding  43,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually
• Generate approximately 1.5 million pounds of fresh produce in local markets

Currently, however, there are substantial market barriers for small urban food producers that cannot access larger markets.  Zoning, environmental, and other legal issues can also present substantial barriers to expanded urban food production.  To address these challenges, CLF Ventures has worked with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) and its partners to develop a business plan to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems in New England.  CLF and CLF Ventures have also partnered with City Growers—a Boston-based agricultural enterprise—to analyze job creation potential within the agriculture sector in Greater Boston and the environmental benefits of such businesses.

Over the coming years, CLF and our partners will continue our advocacy to create a better policy environment for agriculture, specifically in the Boston area.  By creating a robust, sustainable regional food network we can help advance job creation, reduce carbon emissions, create sustainable communities, and support regional economies – the hallmarks of a truly thriving New England.

Contact:
Jennifer Rushlow, CLF Staff Attorney
Jo Anne Shatkin, VP & CEO, CLF Ventures