Director: What changes do you see taking place in how people view agriculture?

Traditionally, agriculture has been shaped by the rural landscape and an agrarian ethic. Some 100 years ago, more than 50 percent of our population was directly involved in agriculture; today less than 2 percent are actively engaged in producing food for the rest of the nation and the world.

Although the changes to our land have been great, we have kept our deeply embedded perceptions and ideas. We see “agriculture” as being basically one size, on rolling and picturesque landscapes, with sharp divisions between what is “rural” and what is “urban.” These lines are set by policy, not by common sense or need.

However, I am seeing a change in attitude and I am getting more questions from others such as: What is agriculture? Where is agriculture? Where should agriculture be?

How do we go about redefining agriculture?

First of all, we need to find a new way to talk about it. Our definition of agriculture needs to be more than simply the vast production of several commodity crops or grains and livestock, all undifferentiated and intertwined on an ever depopulating rural landscape. We need to think about agriculture the same way we think about other markets and products. Our agriculture needs to provide the niche product, the valued added commodity, the distinctive food to satisfy ever-growing consumer demands.

Where is the face of the farmer? We are hearing more calls for locally grown items, organic food, meat and dairy products from grass-based systems, and regionally branded foods and products. Is there not room for this type of production in today’s agriculture? Is this not also “agriculture”? Operation size and our history of support for these operations should not define tomorrow’s agriculture.

I think these emerging ideas about agriculture come from a new awareness among non-rural residents. Many people, from young to elderly, inner city to suburban, are recognizing the need for greater access to food. They want to connect to their agrarian heritage, some of which may add to a sense of self-fulfillment in times of economic uncertainty.

Iowans and the nation have been slow to respond to these new trends. We appear to have the same parochial divisions between urban and rural. We think agriculture is something that exists beyond the city limits; by statute and history it is separate from our people and our communities. But should that be the model for the future?

How can Iowa cities, communities respond?

We can be a model for a new and bold civic commitment and understanding by providing a vision for our people about food systems that reach beyond the farm gate. We need to consider revamping city government and structure, and reinvigorate their administrative leadership.

Every Iowa community needs to form its own Department of Food and Agriculture. The tasks and opportunities for these new departments are endless. They will help each community boldly create more supportive and responsive systems, rules and programs that embrace food and agriculture within the city limits.

Food production within a city’s limits can provide access to more food resulting in better nutrition, stronger local economies, engaged youth education, better health and well being, greater local autonomy and many other benefits. Our current longtime civic departments for parks and recreation, planning and zoning, public relations, etc. are not situated or inclined to effectively embrace and support such growing needs and trends within our cities.

We need to overcome the barriers preventing citizens from engaging in agriculture within city limits. Why, for example, can’t small flocks of chickens or bees be efficiently and safely raised in an urban environment? Why are small-scale greenhouses and vacant lot gardens not embraced as a means to provide greater access to local produce? How can youth be taught entrepreneurial skills each summer in a civic agricultural program? Why are farmers markets relegated to a side street and parking is the major concern? How can farmers be included more as a partner in local communities?

Removing barriers is the first step; creating incentives is the next step. We have industrial parks in many communities…where are the agricultural parks within the city limits?

The opportunities are endless for cities and towns of all sizes to build capacity and enrich their communities in this area. But first we need to think differently – and set up departments of food and agriculture.

If leaders in Iowa cities need to be convinced, I stand ready to meet with them anywhere and any time. We must start the conversation and plant the seeds of change.