A good story in the Christian Science Monitor about the work some folks are doing in Detroit (and other cities) to get more urban agriculture-friendly zoning laws.

The more interesting piece was a short, high-level background as to how Los Angeles zoning rules changed away from an urban agriculture focus to a more development focus:

Just a half century ago, Los Angeles was transforming itself from the most lucrative farm county in the nation into a major metropolis. A zoning ordinance written in 1946 as developers were cutting down the San Fernando Valley’s citrus orchards to build suburbia allowed small farms to grow vegetables to truck to market, but banned growing fruit, nuts, or flowers for sale on residential plots.

Funny how things swing back and forth. Here in Seattle there’s been a big emphasis on urban gardening from both citizens & the city (2010 is the Year of Urban Agriculture). And Seattle’s also implemented an Acting Food Policy Council, which a bunch of different cities around the country also have in place. 

Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle aren’t alone. Zoning issues are popping up in cities & states all over the U.S. A few places to keep up to date with the latest:

• Urban Farm Hub — extensive policy content here.
• Urban Agriculture Magazine – land use planning articles.
• Urban Food Policy blog - infrequent updates, but good stuff here.