Digging In: Policy Innovation for a Healthy Food System Sacramento’s experience turning food action into policy change My name is Matt Read and I am a lawyer working in Sacramento. Thanks to Juell, Chanowk, Christine, and the BHC leaders that decided what we are working on is cool enough to present and highlight. What I want to talk about today is what we did in Sacramento around urban agriculture, how we did it, and why implementing something similar in your BHC area might be a good opportunity to galvanize your BHC groups around a food access issue.

What are we covering? Urban Agriculture as an opportunity to do policy work Crafting a campaign Leveraging momentum

In the beginning, there were definitions and presumptions Policy CDC defines "policy" as a law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, incentive, or voluntary practice of governments and other institutions Federal laws, regulations, state law, state regulations, city/county codes, agency internal direction. Urban Agriculture Sacramento City Code 17.108.220 “U” definitions. “Urban agriculture” means the production of food in a form and scale that is appropriate for the urban context and includes market garden; community garden, public; community garden, private; private garden; aquaculture; and urban beekeeping.

Spectrum of Working with Urban Agriculture Everyone in here is or will be at this stage because you’re about to hear about urban agriculture! Awareness Individuals in your community have identified urban agriculture as a potential policy change. You may have already identified barriers to doing urban ag Working On it Developed a policy; or have passed an urban agriculture ordinance We Got That

Why is urban agriculture a good policy area? Awareness Why is urban agriculture a good policy area? Aside from the fact that its good policy?

Community Empowerment Awareness Community Empowerment Lots of opportunities for speaking in front of commissions, getting residents involved in a campaign. Learning about political processes.

Building the Social Network Awareness Positive policymaking: saying “We want this!” instead of “We don’t want this!” Politicians react very favorably to this! Opportunity to work closely with municipal elected, officials from departments that you may want something else from: code enforcement, community development, Parks

Building the Social Network Awareness Find the City Staff! Positive policymaking: saying “We want this!” instead of “We don’t want this!” Politicians react very favorably to this! Opportunity to work closely with municipal elected, officials from departments that you may want something else from: code enforcement, community development, Parks

Learning about complex rules Awareness Learning about complex rules The rules that apply to urban agriculture Health and Safety Business regulation Income rules, SSI Land use, zoning

Zoning and Land Use Residential Commercial Industrial Euclidean Zoning Awareness Zoning and Land Use Residential Commercial Industrial Euclidean Zoning Separate the uses Prohibit EVERYTHING besides what is explicitly allowed Commercial activity generally not allowed Lemonade stand Agriculture was long considered an industrial use. Strong prohibitions.

Zoning and Land Use Awareness County Parcel Agriculture is prohibited Can only be home, or school, the highest and best uses. Want something else? Conditional use permit: $5k- $7k Applies to vacant parcels and to “accessory uses.”

Crafting a Campaign Clear Message People Power Political Leadership Working On it Crafting a Campaign Clear Message People Power Political Leadership Patience

Working On it Clear Message Two parts to this Always have a message or goal for every event. Have consensus around what “urban agriculture” is. For us, it was “the proposal.”

Political Leadership Working On it Staff reluctant to act without authority Need someone to introduce, convey messages, give intelligence Choose wisely! Some people are loathed by their colleagues! Many with reason! Go outside of your usual suspects. Its an opportunity to engage someone new.

PATIENCE 2 years! Working On it Stakeholder Engagement Staff Internal Review City Attorney Review Community Meetings Draft Ordinance Review Comm. Barrier Identification Law & Legislation Committee (Feb. 10) Policy Research Conducted by SUAC Planning and Design Comm. Hearing #2 (Feb. 12) Policy Development Feedback Session Staff & Elected Feedback Law & Legislation Committee Intro Coalition Feedback City Council (March 17) Staff Feedback 2 years! Implementation Planning/Design Comm. Hearing

PEOPLE POWER Didn’t forget! Two Components: The Doers! And the Supporters What is a “doer?” Someone growing food, whose life will change from the law changing. A supporter works in food systems, food access, used to have a community garden plot Always scan the room: are there “doers” here? If not, less legitimacy to your ask.

PEOPLE POWER Doers Individuals That stand to have their lives changed by the ordinance directly. Will use the laws That have identified barriers themselves Challenges It’s a lot to ask someone who is growing food to show up to all those meetings!

PEOPLE POWER

Healthy Food For All Coalition Since 2010, groups working on food access through BHC funded grants (and not) have come together under the banner of the HFFA. Strategy of the group, that is executed through its workplan, is threefold The strategy outlines expanding access to fresh food, increasing production of fresh fruits and vegetables, and providing education opportunities in the BHC area. When the urban agriculture