Growing Local: A Community Guide to Planning for Agriculture and Food Systems

Growing Local was written to help communities remove barriers and advance solutions to sustain local agriculture and strengthen community food systems. It draws upon extensive research of local governments from across the country which have successfully improved farm viability and protected farmland, facilitated infrastructure development and increased access to healthy and affordable food. The Guide provides a history of food system planning, offers principles and practices and a comprehensive toolbox of programs and policies to advance planning, policy development and public investment.