Interactive Food Sovereignty Map

By Grown in the City

Grown in the City has launched an “Interactive Food Sovereignty Ordinance Map” to track food sovereignty ordinances across the United States, following the unanimous passage of the first ordinance in Sedgwick, Maine. The legality of the ordinance at the State and federal level has not yet been determined, but it has been a symbolic victory for those who support local, sustainable food systems guided by completely free markets. [Two cities in Maine have passed such legislation: Penobscot and Sedgewick.]

Do you know of a community with a local food sovereignty ordinance? Let us know at by filling out the Food Sovereignty Database Form and we’ll add it to the map.

Barre, Vermont:

Status: Voting in May, 2011
Name of Ordinance: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance
Text of Ordinance: Proposed text of the ordinance is as follows –

WHEREAS All people are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS Food is human sustenance and is the fundamental prerequisite to life; and

WHEREAS The basis of human sustenance rests on the ability of all people to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products; and

THEREFORE, Be it resolved, that We The People, stand on our rights under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution and reject such Federal decrees, statutes, regulations or corporate practices that threaten our basic human right to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products within the State of Vermont; and,

Be it further resolved, that We The People, shall resist any and all infringements upon these rights, from whatever sources that are contrary to the rights of the People of the State of Vermont.

The following cities all used the same template:

Blue Hill, Maine

Status: On the Warrant for Annual Town Meeting, April 2, 2011
Name of Ordinance: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance

Brooksville, Maine

Status: Failed, 161 No/152 yes on March 8, 2011. Vote has been challenged, and may be revoted in May.
Name of Ordinance: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance

Penobscot, Maine

Status: Adopted Unanimously March 8, 2011
Name of Ordinance: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance

Sedgewick, Maine

Status: Enacted March 5, 2011
Name of Ordinance: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance

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GitC Launches Interactive Urban Ag Zoning Map

Due to the popularity of the Interactive Food Sovereignty Map, GitC is launching the Interactive Urban Ag Zoning Map, to visualize how localities in different States are doing as they incorporate urban agriculture zoning ordinances into their communities.

If you know of other localities that have urban agriculture zoning, please complete the form and we’ll update the database.  This map is meant only to tell you which cities have urban agriculture.  For a great extensive resource (including an appendix with all the text and web links for all existing urban agriculture zoning, list of comprehensive plans that address food, and a wealth of other information)  please review Urban Agriculture: Growing Healthy, Sustainable Places.

The appendices include:
Appendix 1: Urban Agriculture Components in Food Charters
Appendix 2: Urban Agriculture Components in Local Comprehensive Plans
Appendix 3: Urban Agriculture Components in Local Sustainability Plans
Appendix 4: Urban Agriculture Components in Regional Plans
Appendix 5: Urban Agriculture-Related Zoning Regulations
Appendix 6: Allowances for Poultry, Livestock, or Bees in Animal Control Ordinances
Appendix 7: Other Municipal Practices Supporting Urban Agriculture