SierraScape August - September 2010
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by Ginger Harris
Urban Agriculture Committee Chair
On July 13, Governor Nixon signed HB1848, which established a "Joint (legislative) Committee on Urban Farming" to examine and recommend to the legislature and governor about:
- trends in urban farming, including vertical farming, urban farm cooperatives, and sustainable living communities;
- existing services, resources, and capacity for such urban farming;
- their impact on communities; and
- any needed state legislation, policies, or regulations.
Prior to holding its own public input meetings in each of 3 urban regions in the state, this Joint Committee must establish an "Urban Farming Advisory Subcommittee" of 12 individuals to analyze and provide background information and recommendations to the Joint Committee.
Members of the subcommittee will include the directors of the depts of Agriculture, Economic Development, Health and Senior Services, and Natural Resources. The Director of Agriculture will choose the remaining 8 (subject to approval by the Joint Committee) to represent these interests: sustainable energy; farm policy; urban botanical gardening; sustainable agriculture; urban farming or community gardening; vertical farming; agriculture policy or advocacy; and urban development.
The Advisory and Joint committees will have to work fast: they can begin meeting by September 15 but must conclude by December 31, 2010, i.e. only 3.5 months.
If you have an interest in serving on the Advisory Committee or giving input to the Joint Committee, contact the Governor's office. Please also let me know (314-503-1320) so our Sierra Club's committee can support your application to, and your activities on, the state Advisory Committee, if you're selected.
Meanwhile, our "Urban Ag" Committee meets monthly (2nd Thursdays) to share tips on how to grow the best veggies and fruit; update and help each other in developing neighborhood swaps, community gardens, and farmers markets in our communities; share experiences with preserving food; comment on government food policies and legislation; and spread the word about opportunities.
Our August 12 meeting is expected to involve a lesson on bee-keeping. Call 314-503-1320 for location and time.
One of our members is looking for suppliers of fresh fruits, especially watermelons and cantaloupe, for her farmers market. Let me know if you can help with that.