AGRIHOOD: Growing A Community Around Agriculture A trend is - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 6/12/2019 AGRIHOOD: Growing A Community Around Agriculture A trend is emerging to return to our roots…living next to where we can grow our food and enjoy many social and economic benefits The material in this presentation is from the efforts of our Agrihood volunteer team supported by the Douglas County Economic Vitality Program

2 6/12/2019 Agrihood Project Background • Economic Vitality Program Selected this Project – Jan 2017 • Formed the Agrihood Interest Group – Feb 2018 • Purpose: Study Agrihoods and Share with the Community • Membership: 14 members - 12 meetings to date • Task Plan: Grants, Outreach, Research, Case Studies, Local Opportunities • Minden/Gardnerville Plan for Prosperity – “Implement Agrihood Strategy” • Studied 11 Agrihood Projects/Visited 3 Agrihood Projects • Studying the Work of the Urban Land Institute

3 6/12/2019 Today’s Talk • Part 1: Background: Our Agriculture • Part 2: Current Trends • Part 3: Agrihoods – Our Future?

4 6/12/2019 Part 1: Background: Our Agriculture • What are the Current Conditions with Agriculture in our Valley?

5 6/12/2019 Carson Valley Agricultural Zoned Lands 176 Land Owners – 15,565 acres 85 Land Owners – 12,281 acres

6 6/12/2019 Percent of Local Farms with Net Losses • Trend from 2007 to 2012 shows more farmers without a profit Source: USDA Census (NASS Data) 2012

7 6/12/2019 Views by Local Ranchers of the Future • 20 years in the Future • “Small operations not viable – fewer small operations” • “More growth and development – less agriculture” • Desired Future • “Remain a garden spot with agriculture prospering” • “Diversified/new practices” Source: The Future of Agriculture in the Carson Valley: Agriculture Producer Perspectives, Steve Lewis

8 6/12/2019 Views by Local Ranchers of the Future • Transfer of Ownership • “Right now it’s family owned but not sure if some of the younger relatives will want to take over the ownership/management” • Preserving Agriculture • “We must focus on improving communications and having a dialogue on preserving the valley and keeping it green” • “Leadership needs to improve, as we are all in this together” Source: The Future of Agriculture in the Carson Valley: Agriculture Producer Perspectives, Steve Lewis

9 6/12/2019 Part 2: Current Trends We Enjoy Open Space 1. Provided by Agriculture, But See it Changing Development and Growth 2. Issues Trends in Food Production and 3. Consumption

10 6/12/2019 Open Space Provided by Agriculture • Douglas County Farm Land Decreased > 50% since 1945 • Irrigated Agriculture Maintains a Green Landscape • Community Values Enhanced by Source: USDA Census of Agriculture Agriculture

11 6/12/2019 Development/Growth Issues • Over 30,000 Regional Population Growth in 5- years • Development Build Out Potential in Douglas County an Additional 16,805 Persons* • How Can we Protect Agricultural Lands/Green Open Space? * Master Plan Update 2016 draft Growth Management Element

12 6/12/2019 Trends in Food Production/Consumption • As of 2013, 35% of all households were growing food at home or community gardens----17% increase from 2008 • In 2016 the number of farmers markets increased 2.3% over 2015 and fivefold since 1994 • Small farms now constitute 88 percent of all farms, are 47 percent of the value of all farm real estate, and provide 20 percent of agricultural sales • Consumers are more interested than ever in what they eat and where food comes from • The average piece of produce is shipped 1,500 miles before it reaches a plate

13 6/12/2019 Today’s shoppers increasingly prioritize fresh, real food that does not contain artificial ingredients and other perceived negatives What’s Important When Shopping? - Total - Fresh 67% +3 pts Clean 55% Real 49% +4 pts Pesticide-free 47% +5 pts Natural 43% +4 pts No art. flavors/colors/preservatives 43% +3 pts Antibiotic free 42% +4 pts Natural Flavors 41% Humane treatment of animals 41% Hormone free 40% No GMO ingredients 40% I just want real, whole food, and I’m trying to make things Pure 36% basic. While what I give my kids might not be organic, I’m going to give them whole-wheat bread, turkey with no Pasteurized 35% salt or nitrates, and some spinach and mustard. Less processed 34% - Outer ML, Gen X, Female Whole 34% +4 pts USDA Organic 32% Sustainable 32% +3 pts Local 31% Significant change from 2016 Organic & Natural 2018. Q1. When selecting food or beverage products to purchase, how important are the following labels or phrases to you? 7 Pt. Scale, Top 2 Box. Items less than 30% not shown. Base: Total Sample age-adjusted for trend 2016 (n=2,274); 2018 (n=2,216).

14 6/12/2019 Part 3: Agrihoods – Our Future? What is it and Why Should We Consider it? • Similar to Development around a Golf Course • Professionally Operated Farm • Residents Participate in Farming Experience • A Community Culture Around Food, Land, and Togetherness

15 6/12/2019 Agrihood Benefits • A Competitive Edge • Promotes Health and Social Interaction • Supports and Attractive Return on Investment • Provides Environmental Benefits • Creates Jobs and Supports the local Economy Credits: John DeWald and Associates

16 6/12/2019 Urban Land Institute Agrihood Study 35 Locations: Planned, In Development, Completed

17 6/12/2019 Agrihood Features

18 6/12/2019 Why Consider an Agrihood? A Tool for Farm and Farmland 1. Preservation A Tool to Help Promote Local Food 2. A Way to Help a Struggling Farm 3. Work? A Way to Help a Retiring Farm 4. Family Leverage their Biggest Asset A Way to Differentiate from a 5. Subdivision Credits: John DeWald and Associates

19 6/12/2019 Agrihoods Benefits Typical Agrihood Typical Subdivision Example: Instead of building 100 homes on one-acre lots, an agrihood might include 100 homes on quarter-acre lots with 75 acres of conserved open space and/or farmland

20 6/12/2019 Advantages to the Developer • Lower Cost of Development and Amenities & Lower Land Costs • Higher Sales Value of Lots and Homes • Faster Sales Absorption • Can Leverage Community Good Will Credits: John DeWald and Associates

21 6/12/2019 Advantages to the Farm Owner • Greater Potential Sales Value for the Land • Preservation of the Farm and Family Heritage • Ability to Keep Farming • Land is Subsidized Credits: John DeWald and Associates

22 6/12/2019 Advantages to the Greater Community • Preserved Farmland and Open Space at Low to No Cost • Community Development and Amenities • Access to Local, High Quality Food • Economic Development Credits: John DeWald and Associates

23 6/12/2019 Advantages to the Residents • Lifestyle that is Hard to Find • Activated Community • Local, Quality Fresh Food • Direct Contact with Farm and Nature • Aesthetics that are Hard to Reproduce Elsewhere Credits: John DeWald and Associates

24 6/12/2019 What is Necessary for an Agrihood to Succeed? A Vision 1. An Appropriate Location 2. A Business and Finance Plan 3. A Viable Governance Plan 4. A Receptive Municipality 5. A Good Team 6. A Strategy for How to Integrate the Farm and Community 7. An Approach that Helps Assure the Farm’s Success and 8. Viability Credits: John DeWald and Associates

25 6/12/2019 AIG Next Steps – 2019 Plan • Learn More About Agrihood Developments • Study the Market for Locally Grown Crops and Potential to Grow Here • Organize/Conduct Site Visits of Successful Agrihoods • Speak with Community on the Concepts and Assess Support • Engage Development Community • Develop Master Plan & County Code Language and Incentives • Provide Input on Plan for Prosperity Agrihood Strategy by 2020

26 6/12/2019 Our Work is Underway to Identify Where and How Agrihoods Should be Considered in the Carson Valley. Is the Idea Encouraging?