Local food and farming

we tabled at the farmers market. We s tabled at a Primos Park event.

It's more so a concern as our inter as our food costs continue to arise

it sounds like you're doing the beginning of the update to the 10-year-old agricultural plan in 2027

The farmers market knows that putting money where your mouth is has consequences and impacts beyond the district

We also know that food systems globally are collapsing for a variety of reasons

We own 16 acres of agricultural land. We own more water rights than we use.

i. Farmer’s Market Update ii. Library, September 1, 2026 iii. Co-op, September 18, 2026 iv. BPD Briefing Trainings, tbd

does this annexation have any impact to um the current beneficiaries of that leased um water to our local agriculture?

The plan also identifies important improvements to support and increase opportunities to strengthen the local food system and support local food access

those relate to wildfire resistance and agricultural viability and um, water systems

I absolutely love obviously the food systems components in there as well

We also heard a lot about local ag and the local food system.

But there is agriculture on that rural lands.

Well, we have a lot of agriculture on our open space lands as well.

Priorities 91 and 92 are local food production and access and urban agriculture, and I'm all about

Local ag and food systems, our natural infrastructure, social connection, and the overall future land use strategy.

Residents want stronger local food systems, from farms to markets

let's pull some of that water away from agriculture and put it towards density

policies that are supporting the many components of the local food system

a more permanent or more robust presence of the farmers market on that block.

to help support just general infrastructure for the farmers market.

some talk about a farmers market and it appears that that area is also in the proposed new DDA

our local food, policies, we've had notions of the importance of local food and ag in Boulder, but now it's its own policy

Natural systems still remain a top priority, along with agriculture and local food systems.

stronger local food systems, supporting farmers, supporting restaurants, supporting markets, and having more access to goods and services

so we participate with Red Wagon, organic farms. As part of a CSA.

the majority of the unused water that we're not using for municipal needs are being sold for actually local agriculture

we'd like to lift up our agricultural community and doing a farm tour

highlighted the need for smaller scale farming options for local producers

to learn more about our agricultural portfolio and food access

my request on food systems and some of the zoning

we don't have a clear food security system in place

we think that we should actually be prioritizing policy related to food systems.

They wanted to add language in there, addressing food security policies.

That is for emergency for um agriculture if we have no more food anymore and it's the only way

the detailed elements such as funding mechanisms, partnerships with ditch companies and infrastructure upgrades as well as on-site farm irrigation improvements

it proposes a policy that's focused on sustainable agriculture um water use and modernization of irrigation infrastructure

Like, we have no food anymore, and we need it for agriculture

There aren't suitable sites to accommodate traditional agricultural operations, which historically have been located on Area 3 rural preservation land

There are suitable sites within the service area to accommodate small footprint agricultural production

all of the agricultural lands for the open space system are in Boulder County

We removed the three-foot height requirement from the urban agriculture requirement.

This community process also highlighted a lot of community interest in food systems and the future of local agriculture in particular

reinforce the commitment that rural lands will continue to support local food systems, land-based economic activities

I was curious if there's opportunities to expand and break the silo between agricultural practices and food systems

they're all like, yeah, I want to support local food.

because we're not growing all of that food, even a lot of our farms are kind of in the county

one of our leases for our 6,000 acres of agricultural land is one that is specifically working with restaurants in our community

that center also seemed like a really great place to potentially um host a farmers market

I think, you know, um, food security and affordability

especially as we think more about our local food systems

there is a significant work that needs to be done on on our food systems

I would love to get some more um community and expert um feedback on on the agricultural front

I would love us to lead as a city on re-engaging agriculture and making sure that it is a core component

I love what they're they're thinking around agriculture and local agriculture, right?

we heard a lot about needing to strengthen local food systems

So these water-sharing practices that continue to support both Agriculture and municipal interests.

If we do have surplus, then we will lease it out on an annual basis to farmers, and this is a way to supplement their water supply

We want to support food and beverage options, especially the farmer's market into the future.

how we're supporting the farmers market space, so putting some investment in there.

We are working with the farmers market, on our side to find them a permanent home within the East Bookend

These actions would ensure the survival of Boulder Valley agriculture, local food, and the green fields which surround and cool our city

Boulder Valley farmers have been dealing with chronic water shortages for decades and have developed creative strategies for dealing with shortages

The city and county will partner with local ditch companies, farmers, and ranchers to upgrade our ag water delivery systems

So, one of the other big nonprofits other than the farmers market that's in development is KGMU's building

like, some of the things we're interested in is having, like, a year-round presence at the farmer's market somewhere there.

urban agriculture was a topic of discussion concerns about uh standing in the way of urban agriculture

the three-foot height on urban um agriculture made people nuts

removing the three foot high maximum for urban agriculture

the farmer's market, we don't really need anything more from the farmer's market

providing infrastructure for plug-in, electrical access to, like I mentioned, the farmer's market

Features are more placemaking, and it talks about events, the farmer's market, the festival street

we need to upgrade our ag water delivery systems to ensure the survival of not only local agriculture

These are the people you're going to see at the farmer's market

City Council has now mentioned a number of times that they want to actually discuss food systems

we actually just did, a survey to our business community to find out how they felt about the folder farm

a shrinking supply of land for people who want small livestock, horses, or farm businesses

Or, urban agriculture, like, at some point in time, am I wrong on that?

this is something that came up in our community conversation on August 19th that we held at the the Chamber

is largely a category that is meant to, kind of preserve our government campuses, university, and industrial areas for the future.

food systems, getting back to this notion of the farmer's market and really supporting our agricultural community

I love the fact that maybe in the wintertime, we can continue to have a farmer's market.

The farmer's market is kind of the heart of the whole thing.

working with restaurants and businesses that are big food providers

Planting areas for urban agriculture and annual crops are allowed. If maintained to reduce dead material and not to exceed 3 feet in height.

Daily, we try to address the urban agriculture concern and making it clear of where urban agriculture can work

I would recommend that we do not over-regulate food gardens and other forms of urban agriculture.

and then for the uh agriculture, it was wonderful seeing that component in there

was supporting local agriculture to reduce the travel distance for food availability.

working with them on efficiency and keeping those leasing programs and the farms going

recognizing that we don't want to negatively impact the agricultural communities and that economy.

80% of the water in the South Plat Basin is used for agriculture

appreciate the inclusion of creative industries, agriculture, and local foods

would like to have uh agriculture be included for the incentive program

would that include fine and performing arts and maybe like local foods or would we need to like list the

the primary non municipal uses that would be reduced include agricultural leasing and water left in the stream for downstream users

crops on a farm and our urban landscapes both need more water to survive and thrive as the temperature increases

I just want to thank um our community for lifting up their voice around food systems.

is there enough farming land in the city of Boulder or we also really thinking broadly about the county land

the concept of food systems is a new focus area because we've received so much interest and feedback

is there a value a social value in us permitting the right to grow those crops on the soil

including vegetable gardens with a very low profile such as ground crops like lettuce

The things in red were the things that resonated in both of the concepts one is expanding the farmers market.

having more collaboration and partnership um between our um food security um nonprofit organizations

the work we're doing around food security is not charity.

deepening partnerships with our local agriculture, um our local farms here and ranches.

the vast majority of that was committed to Lower basin agriculture on a related sort of thing

is paying farmers not to farm one year

If it's you know agriculture. I've never met a farmer who said, Yeah, my my farms are not that important.

the farmers market is definitely a different sort of look on food and beverage

yearround indoor farmers market again and and just in general

upgraded infrastructure for the farmers market and also for the band shell

the fact that we haven't talked about agriculture at all meaningfully I feel fine with taking up this space

the ways that our agricultural footprint can address and support our affordability issues, our food security issues

Number five looks at food hubs. Um, East Denver has a is considering a 35 acre food hub.

Everyone loves the farmers market. We get a lot of comments? How do we expand? How do we make them permanent?

Market local food service is sort of a big theme, especially as we're hearing from the community.

I also wanted to thank those who participated in the council chat around food security.

experience with extension and our agricultural um footprint which is currently a stepchild um of our of our components

there's a plan to have a possibility for urban farming or community gardens on the roof

as Food Systems as I hear it being talked about isn't currently in our climate action work

as I currently see it Food Systems isn't really within the scope of what we are doing in climate initiatives

when we're talking about our climate initiatives rarely do I hear Agriculture and regenerative agriculture in particular

happy to answer any questions um you guys have about food systems and later conversations

there's no mention of Food Systems which is the second largest source of our community's consumption-based emissions

allowing us to grow significantly more food in smaller foodprints and also indoors

would allow for any kind of um Community Gardens or other kind of agricultural facilities

I did have a question about Urban agriculture so in the subcommunity plan

we have food security issues that are going to continue to exacerbate so I just wanted to lift those

both Agriculture and habitat to me are as professionalized as water and energy

another area that was not addressed at all was local agriculture

I personally think Urban agriculture um is something that uh would be looked on very favorably by the community

one is around Urban Agriculture and if there had been any considerations around

Survey that's connected to the farmers market like it's very expensive.

there's a decrease for coming to the farmers market, which is quite odd, because I talked to

one of my biggest flags is the lack of a agricultural component again I know this is about our city services

that's it's a great thing for us to do for our Farmers but my uh just a comment on that we work to streamline the event process

There has been to regenerative farmers. So even some folks that aren't listed on our partner list.

how do we encourage more opportunity for local food production when it makes sense to do so

The city has kind of dipped their toe into this idea of food policy and food systems in the past

when you're dealing with what's going on with the PO Farm in the chambers area

the city of Boulder residents undeniably value local food and will pay a premium for it

not just have Heritage uh for our agricultural but but actual growing food and innovating in that way

the agricultural Community um is one of the larger minimum wage employers many farms are on Rural lands of Boulder County

And how do we expand the farmers market make it more permanent, make it seasonal, or excuse me year round.

Is Parker Park. That little tiny farm is right next to the people.

we partner with between 25 and 30 local farmers and ranchers to carry out agricultural activities on our system

reserved for their current uses, whether it be rural or agricultural, except for what is called the area 3 planning reserve

Boulder Farmers market has started up the Wednesday market again this month, so we now have Wednesday evenings

the percentage of farming that we would like to have

a lot of experience in the kind of regenerative agriculture Community um I just wanted to note that

given a third of our total open space acreage is agricultural land I think it's a critical voice

If you wanna talk about food systems. This will be a good chance. Farms.

You know, I had this conversation about the food systems, and it's it's one that I'm kind of intrigued to think about again

The fact that we had a food systems kind of program, if you will.

The farmers market is something I love in this area, and I'm so excited to keep it downtown with this project.

could be closed off and you could do farmers markets and events and food trucks there

where Sprouts Market actually gets many of its food and produce items from local Colorado farmers

along the farmer ditch so running through the middle of the east book end yes um but then it's there's some discontinuity as it goes past

So what I hear is that it's gonna be kind of like a working with like a parent type of organization, whether it's the farmer's market

This concept of a community partner could be an organization like the Boulder County Farmers market.

figure out, what do we do to the farmers market what all is under construction

We want the farmers market stay down there about another great activity that happens

as we're moving to more um regenerative agriculture models for some of these spaces will that naturally help out

restoration complete restoration of 72 acres to agricultural production with another 290 acres in progress

irrigated agricultural lands are the best opportunity for agriculture on open space and Mountain Parks

we are part of an important community of farmers providing local food

working on doing a mobile farmers market and creative adventure that essentially makes is food justice

partnering with the farmers marketing on a lot of these events to provide food

expanding farmers markets, so that there is a lot of the transportation emissions

and supporting local agriculture is is definitely behind that

you mentioned the leasing of motor rights agricultural users. I just curious what's been the trend in that over the years

agricultural working landscapes, a neighborhood part which is meant to serve a local audience.

our continuing work on restoring and reducing impacts on irrigated agricultural fields from the presence of prairie dogs

someone from a local farm who is really active and regenerative agriculture and regenerative methods

the food system is a major driver of this

All of the menu is will be developed through wholesale partnerships with small businesses, such as local bakeries and creameries, and farms

Then all the farmers and I know that other corporations are buying farmland.

The Guiding principles include Equity ecosystem climate and local food production considerations

Transforming Our Food system and rewilding our community's

some of our properties are unleased should we put them in active agricultural leasing

about a third of our systems in active agriculture about 15 000 acres

two additional projects to address the strategy of investment in soil health and restoration of agricultural lands

we must develop innovative and equitable solutions to transform our food system

freezing and canning commercial in the area and there could be multi-level farm area as well

to pave this thing over with agriculture that's what boulder needs egg here

our water precious water rights are used for uh growing hay for raising cattle

the next is related to agriculture and prairie dogs and soil health and resilience

the collaborative effort going on in um addressing the um agriculture land

the second one is a priority to reform fifra which is the federal pesticide law to do a variety of things including restoring

supporting local food producers in particular we recognize the value inherent in local food markets

I want to specifically focus on the road map's agriculture component

there would be a time period of three years I believe before it could be certified as organic

her project is really looking at engaging farmers and so she has 50 farmer participants that are annually sampling their agricultural fields

our farming and ranching families have waited years for relief as have their neighbors

much of which currently do serve as part of our local food system

preserve local agriculture our farming and ranching ranching families are critical to doing that

and of course regenerative agriculture which I've been proud to be able to kind of push to emulate some of the programs

I put the little money I have into local farms and our community

THE BOULDER COUNTY FARMERS' MARKET HAD TO MODIFY THE OPERATIONS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE.

do we want to think about how we deal with farms

Farm Bureau is the 800 pound gorilla at the capital on this issue

it does expressly accept the cultivation of marijuana and the production of Agriculture

one of the last working agricultural properties in the city

support of local food however our action on prairie dog policy does not reflect this

its impacts our ability to bring you all quality local food coming from healthy thriving ecosystems

unchecked will severely impact my ability to grow organic food for my community

all farmers depend on tillage to grow food but tillage has downsides

irrigated agricultural properties have created a conflict between the city prairie dogs and agricultural policies

a significant portion of this property could be uh covered with agricultural um buildings and structures

envisions serving as a headquarters for a future agricultural operation having a headquarters in this area is key

there's a surprise our organic and conventional Growers have the same median soil Health score of 13.6

we can affordably scale regenerative practices to the 12 billion Acres of farmland and patchland across the world

Growers include nine commodity Farmers 14 organic farmers eight ranchers 19 osmp sites

pesticides are everywhere they're in your food they're in your water

THE COVER REQUIRES THAT THE PROPERTY BE USED FOR PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL USES

THE EASEMENT PROHIBITS CERTAIN TYPES OF AGRICULTURE SUCH AS COMMERCIAL FEW THOUGHTS EQUESTRIAN CENTERS NURSERIES AND SOD FARMS

AND WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED AS A CENTENNIAL FARM BY HISTORY COLORADO.

IMPROVING THE HOUSE THROUGH LOCALLY SOURCED NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS I DID SEND SOMETHING

ALL THREE PRETEND FARMERS CAN RUN WATER FROM APRIL TO JULY AND EACH IRRIGATE SIX HUNDRED ACRES

TO FOSTER LAND STEWARDSHIP AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND LOCAL FOOD INITIATIVES

AGRICULTURAL LANDS THAT SUPPORT SMALL FARMERS AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS

TO INCREASE SOIL HEALTH WHERE WE ARE LOOKING TO TREAT AS MANY AS SIX THOUSAND ACRES

today there's no agricultural land there's quite a bit of open space

are there some farms or agricultural properties in this land so

THE QUESTION IS NOT CHANGING THE ZONING IT'S THIS CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT

WHETHER IT'S PERMITTED TO BE AGRICULTURE OR IT'S REQUIRED TO BE IN SOME SORT OF AGRICULTURAL USE

IN OPEN SPACE MOUNTAIN PARKS AGRICULTURAL STAFF WHICH WORKS TO PRESERVE THE AREA'S AGRICULTURAL TRADITION ALSO WORK TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION IN TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN

for different kinds of food issues we want to talk to the local farming community

how do we make use of that apparatus to propel Carbon Farming forward

innovative organizations like mad agriculture and the fine work of the folks at the Natural Resource Conservation Service

there is a good chance for us to continue to lead the way in how we participate in agriculture here by providing good healthy food for the community

we need to make sure the board understands what a vision can look like for not only improving our land with our agricultural practices

i want to urge you guys that when you're considering that open to consider someone with agricultural experience

how ranches or farms are going to look have to change and we can't

in the agricultural resource management plan which we just passed two years ago now

understanding the water budget of all the farms and that's a time to think

the farmer cut hay and carefully managed grazing grass was healthy and sequestered carbon

we have a Carbon Farming project to get carbon out of the atmosphere and into the soils being led by eco cycle

in our arid West water is life and it is very difficult to farm without it without irrigated lands cash crops

today less than a quarter of Boulder County is farmland a 59 percent decline in agricultural acreage over 67 years

THE AGRICULTURE TEACHER JUST POINTING OUT THAT WAS ADDED AT THE END BY THE BOARD

AGRICULTURE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE AND BOARDING COUNCIL RECOMMENDED THAT THE CALM ONE

I HAVE PLACES TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE AND HAVE PLACES WHERE I ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION

THE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN DOES HAVE SEVERAL OBJECTIVES RELATED TO SOIL

I'M ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM AND THE FARMERS WHO PUT THEIR ENTIRE LIVELIHOODS ON THE LINE

BOULDER COUNTY LIVING FARM PROPERTY JUST SOUTH OF CITY OF BOULDER IRRIGATED AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY

IF THEY WANTED TO KEEP FARMING THEY WOULD JUST HAVE TO KEEP KILLING

SOON THE FAIR CITY COULDN'T FARM THEIR LAND ANYMORE

i wanted to continue our conversation about prairie dogs on irrigated agricultural property

of the fifteen thousand acres of agricultural land of the city manages or owns two thousand are considered degraded

ALSO WORK TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION IN TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN.

acres that we currently don't lease agriculturally and we had our network plan this year to try various methods

we would like to move into local food production or diversified agriculture

common agricultural practices like tillage or field leveling that might help establish crops or enhance irrigation practices

it relates to how we manage our agricultural lands on uh open space

AND IT'S SHOCKING TO SEE HOW HIGH THE FOOD SYSTEM IS ON THE LIST OF TOP TEN

on that property I guess it eventually could be agricultural

so with this option with this limited agricultural use option agricultural use to a small degree could be reestablished

would divert resources from higher priority agricultural projects that are now before us

THE FOOTPRINT THAT IS THAT IT LOOKS THOUGH WHAT YOU PROVIDED WAS DIFFERENT COMING ON

DECREASED PROPERTY VALUE OF NEARBY BUILDINGS AND FARMS.

CORBAN SQUASHED RATION AFAR CARBON FARMING OR AGRICULTURE

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AGRICULTURE ONLY HAS A FEW BULLET POINTS UNDERNEATH

I THINK AGRICULTURE. THAT REALLY DID CALL OUT AS NZ WE SEPARATE I AM INSERTING A LOCAL FOOD GROUP FOR WHILE AND EVERYONE HAS A WORKING FARM LAND.

DURING THE EXPECTED THREE YEAR TERM OF THE INTERIM MANAGEMENT PLAN IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE LEASED AGRICULTURAL TENANTS

THE RANCH PROPERTY IS ALSO ACTIVELY USED FOR SEASONAL CATTLE GRAZING WHICH IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE

BECAUSE THE AGRICULTURAL PIECE OF THE OF THE ASSESSMENT

WE ARE RUNNING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF AGRIBUSINESS ON OUR LANDS

THE FIRST ONE IS INTEGRATING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN RESOURCE PROTECTION

Boulder Valley Farm is a working cattle ranch that has historically supported up to a 150 head

the proposed acquisition includes valuable water rights used to irrigate the farms expansive agricultural fields

the nine and a half million dollar purchase price will include the residences an agricultural infrastructure associated with the farm