Developing a Sustainable, Local Food and Agriculture Program within a Sub-State Municipality

Developing and strengthening local and regional food systems has been a recent focus of the United States Department of Agriculture and a longstanding goal of activists. The case studies conducted in this research (Fauquier County, VA; Howard County, MD Missoula County, MO, Boulder County, CO) exemplify how regions in the United States can support more localized food production, preserve agricultural lands, and promote economic activities related to agriculture, such as agritourism. While the main case studies are focused on county level programs and funding mechanisms, these counties are reliant on the urban-rural linkages to provide the production space and the market demand. Four key priorities/recommendations emerged through the research: the preservation of land, creation of food councils and/or task forces, generation of strategic plans and reports, and the need for public will.