Sustainable Economies Law Center - Urban Agriculture Program

Picture a city where fruit and vegetables fill undeveloped and vacant lots, where community gardens can be found in every neighborhood, where all residents in a neighborhood come together, share yards, and grow food that will nourish our communities.

Currently, the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) is working with a team of interns, community members, activists, and professionals to explore the legal needs of a growing urban agriculture movement. We are developing an online Urban Agriculture Legal Resource Library and resources and presentations that explore legal issues that relate to urban agriculture: land acquisition, zoning, property taxes, land covenants, health codes, building codes, nuisance laws, land conservation tools, and so on. Our research will not only create tools to empower urban food growers, but will create a better understanding of law and policy changes that would enable more sustainable and localized food systems.