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Food Policy Board seeks joint JSC recommendation for agricultural land fund, inventory and management
Summary
The Food Policy Board proposed a joint recommendation to create a dedicated mechanism—either a staff FTE or an office—and a revolving loan fund to acquire and preserve agricultural land for food production; members noted certificates of obligation cannot be used to buy land with economic development potential.
The Food Policy Board presented a draft recommendation asking the Joint Sustainability Committee to support a city effort to acquire and manage working lands for food production.
Marissa, representing the Food Policy Board, told the JSC that a FY24–25 budget amendment authorized up to $50 million in certificates of obligation to purchase land for climate and environmental goals but that certificates of obligation cannot be used to purchase land considered to have economic development potential, which includes agricultural land.
The board’s draft recommends the city establish a dedicated management mechanism—either a full‑time equivalent position or a new office such as an Office of Urban Agriculture—to oversee agricultural land purchases and management contracts. The proposal also seeks initial general‑fund seed money to create a revolving loan fund offering low‑interest loans to farmers and organizations, which could later be supplemented by general obligation bonds, private and philanthropic investment.
Marissa said the board also recommends an inventory of city‑owned land suitable for agricultural use and an assessment of parcels that could be acquired for working lands. She cited two statistics: less than 0.6% of food consumed in Travis County is produced in the county and the county is losing roughly 17 acres of farmland per day, which the Food Policy Board used to frame the urgency of the proposal.
Committee members signaled support for bringing the item back for action next meeting and discussed whether the recommendation should provide a specific dollar amount or remain non‑prescriptive to allow flexibility during implementation. Alberta Phillips offered to second bringing the item to the next agenda. Members also suggested including regenerative‑agriculture language for long‑term management.
