250 likes | 358 Views
Brown Bag Series, January 26, 2012. Partners: University of Idaho Boise State University COMPASS Idaho Center for Sustainable Agriculture Treasure Valley Food Coalition Idaho Smart Growth. Presenters: Erinn Cruz, University of Idaho Helen Ubic, BSU/ U Space
E N D
Partners: • University of Idaho • Boise State University • COMPASS • Idaho Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Treasure Valley Food Coalition • Idaho Smart Growth
Presenters: • Erinn Cruz, University of Idaho • Helen Ubic, BSU/ U Space • Diane Kushlan, AICP, ULI Idaho • Panel: • Janie Bern, Meadowlark Farms • Diane Norton, Idaho Department of Commerce • Leah Clark, Idaho Department of Agriculture • Rachel Winer, Idaho Smart Growth • John Starr, Colliers International • Moderator: • Robert Taunton, ULI past Chair
Background on the Research • In May ULI Idaho received a $25,000 grant from the ULI Foundation. • Grant was to research the relationship between sustainable agriculture and land use • Build upon earlier research • Focus on Canyon and Ada County
What we learned 9 big ideas for the future
1 Idea Agriculture is an important and valid land use. • Good Agriculture land is a finite resource • How has this change of attitude to land-use happened? • Good News
2 Idea • Sustainable local food is a key to sustainable cities. • Large scale Agriculture is crucial to the Treasure Valley • What’s wrong with this picture? It’s working now! • What Could Farmers do? • Health
3 Idea • Agriculture must be economically viable to be sustainable.
Local Share for Farmers’ Markets • Per Capita Spent on Food = $16.28 • Estimated Annual Attendance = 528,581 • Annual Expenditures on Food at Farmers’ Markets = • $4,302,654.02 • Avg. Person Spends $3,495.25 on Food per Year • Annual Food Expenditures in Treasure Valley: $2,031,746,882 • Farmers’ Market Local Share = 0.2%
Local Share for Grocery Stores Annual Expenditures on Local Food Divided by Total Spending of $2,031,746,882 = grocery store local share of 1.8%
4 Idea • Using prime farmland for subdivisions has grave unintended consequences.
5 Idea Idea • Most good building land is also primeagricultural land in the valley. • Conflict of land use. • Land- use planning and Farmers
Resource uses need to be balanced to sustain agriculture and communities 6 Idea • No shortage of Agricultural land yet. • 465,000 acres n 2011 • 196,000 acres Irrigated, 2011 • This farmland resource could disappear in next 40 years. • We know how to preserve land.
7 Idea • Imagine a different future.
8 Idea • Agriculture has many faces
9 Idea • Planning for a sustainable future requires good data.
Indicator: a measurement Benchmark : a starting point Target: an quantifiable outcome the measure progress
Next Steps...
? Questions