Planning for agriculture highlights the importance of agriculture and food production to livable communities. It establishes a public policy framework to support agricultural economic development and to protect and conserve farmland for current and future generations.
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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 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.
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AFT's Farmland Information Center (FIC) is the nation’s largest online collection for farm and ranch land protection and stewardship information. Visit the FIC webpage for Planners to more information on how and why to plan for agriculture.
Visit the Farmland Information CenterPlanning is a dynamic, stakeholder-driven, multi-step process. Whether it results in a state or regional plan, a local master or comprehensive plan, or a stand-alone plan for agriculture, it is not an end in itself. Plans are continually reviewed, renewed, and updated to respond to changing demographics and other conditions. Learn more about planning for ag by viewing other communities’ plans. The links to the left are a compilation of plans and guides from across the county.
