Goal: Cultivate a robust state and local food system, from agriculture to distribution and consumption.
Strategy 1: Promote and protect working lands.
What this looks like: Promote and protect working lands for generations to come. Focus on providing incentives for local land use conservation as well as policies and activities that promote multiple benefits of land and resource conservation; prioritize policies and activities that will preserve farms and ranches for food production.
Strategy 2: Advance regenerative farming practices.
What this looks like: Establish frameworks and systems for regenerative farming across different scales that employ market-based solutions and produce multiple benefits, including improving soil health, conserving water, and empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) landowners and agricultural producers.
Strategy 3: Support innovations & new markets.
What this looks like: Advance and promote innovations in the use of forest products that support sustainable and resilient agricultural activities, including the use of biochar, agricultural composting, and processing of agricultural waste.
Strategy 4: Bolster next-generation farm and agriculture workers.
What this looks like: Invest in the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and food producers, with a focus on BIPOC community members. Provide internships, skills-based pieces of training, and mentorship programs to build equitable workforce development. Diversify economic opportunities through technical and financial assistance to support shifting to low-water crops, entering new market opportunities, and expanding agrotourism.
Strategy 5: Integrate food and agriculture in local planning.
What this looks like: Integrate local agriculture and food system considerations into community planning activities to support community food gardens, urban agriculture, consolidated farmers markets, and food pantries that provide equitable healthy food access and security. Identify opportunities to further economic development and natural resource objectives.