A New Urban Agriculture Resource from DIG
Posted: February 16, 2017
Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Members
DIG (Durham Integrated Growers) just released a new urban agriculture resource, Digging for a Just and Sustainable Food System: A Scan of Municipal Policies Influencing Urban Agriculture Projects across Durham Region. The report investigates urban agriculture as it relates to the Durham region food system. Using a broad definition of policy, the report surveys official plans, by-laws, strategies and municipal planning documents that relate to land use decision making. Digging for a Just and Sustainable Food System aims to identify policies in support of and acting as barriers to urban agriculture in Durham region. Gaps where policy could create a more supportive environment for urban agriculture are also highlighted.
The objectives for the survey of urban agriculture policy in Durham region, as outlined in the report, are:
- Gain a better understanding of policies involved in planning and implementing urban agriculture projects;
- Provide municipal staff and policy-makers with an understanding of ways they do or could better support urban agriculture and food security within their own municipalities;
- Raise the profile, understanding and role of Durham Integrated Growers for a Sustainable Community (DIG); and
- Open dialogues at the municipal level about the role urban agriculture can play in Durham
DIG is a collaborative made up of individuals and organizations that work to support local food production and food security through resource sharing, mentoring and technical and developmental assistance. Their new resource Digging for a Just and Sustainable Food System was made possible by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at Laurier University, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Durham Food Policy Council.
Looking for more resources? Check out our Food Initiatives Greenhouse! An online resource sharing platform.