growing food in kane county: evaluating public lands for local food … · 2017. 10. 8. · growing...
TRANSCRIPT
Growing Food in Kane County: Evaluating Public Lands for Local Food Production
Kane County Agriculture Committee May 19, 2014
Areas of Discussion
• Project background • What we did • Next steps
Project Team
Project Background
Create a decision-making framework for evaluating public land in Kane County for local food production
Project Scope
• Regional trend: supply is not meeting demand
• Common barrier: lack of available, affordable, right-sized land for starting a local food operation
• Kane County interested in transitioning publicly-owned land for producing food for local consumption
– Land could currently be in agriculture, underutilized, or vacant
Purpose
Project Background
• Help equip Kane County with tools to evaluate potential sites for conversion to local food production
• Provide a framework that any local government could adapt to its own location
CMAP Goals
Project Background
Connection to other projects in Kane County • HIA Report (released May 2013)
• Growing for Kane ordinance (adopted August 2013)
• Food Hub with Northern IL Food Bank (study in 2014)
• U of I – Extension “Beginning Farmers” program (December 2013 – November 2015)
Project Background
• Process
– Research and consult experts on best practices and common criteria
– Borrow from similar tools like LESA and urban agriculture studies
• Content
– Established universe of criteria, made several cuts, developed something broad enough to be replicable
– Some criteria relate to physical and environmental characteristics
– Other criteria relate to infrastructure and assets
Criteria Selection
What We Did
Evaluation Criteria
What We Did
Each of the criteria include a description, means of measurement, and suggested data sources.
Tier 1: Ownership Cover Type Land Size Access to Water Solar Exposure Productivity of Soil Contamination Slope Proximity to Sensitive Natural Areas Restoration Plans / Potential
Tier 2: Cost of Accessing Water Existing Useful Structures & Resources Available Parking Potential Accessory Structures Marketing Potential Community Connections
Evaluation Criteria
What We Did
• How to use:
– Measure and map criteria for which data is available
– Eliminate unsuitable sites
– Apply Tier 2 criteria for more specific assessment
• Other considerations:
– Public ownership nullifies need to include some criteria like cost of land, tax status
– Additional level of screening for political support, potential funding for readying the site, etc. must occur
• FPDKC identified sites which currently have land in conventional farming
• Could potentially transition acres of those farms to food production to diversify crops and revenue
• FPDKC has 2-year leases
Public Land Considered
Site Example: LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve
• 42 acres currently farmed
• Highly productive soil
• Accessible water supply
• Further assessment needed of impact on Ferson Creek
• Near the “beginning farmers” training program
Site Example: Aurora West Forest Preserve
• 180 acres currently farmed
• Close to populous areas
• Good roadway access
• Near other agriculture
• Good soil, but prime if drained
• Nearest well water in the Preserve is a half mile away
Final Products • Process Report / Guide
– Kane County can apply to other sites that emerge for consideration
– Other public entities can use as framework to adapt to their locations
Next Steps
• Brochure / Fact sheet
– Kane County can distribute to municipalities to encourage them to consider this land use transition in their communities
Implementation • Apply criteria to sites of interest
• Determine Agriculture Committee involvement
• Grants and partnerships
Next Steps
Questions?
Jessica Gershman [email protected]
312-386-8631