Sarasota County Agriculture Policy Council

The Sarasota Agriculture Policy Council (SPAC) was formed in the 2005 spring under the facilitation of the Sarasota County Extension. The purpose of SAPC is to support the activities of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) of the Comprehensive Plan by developing policy recommendations to sustain agriculture in Sarasota County. The Council is an inclusive group representing the agriculture community of Sarasota County (for example, small and large farmers, ranchers, horticulture, ag suppliers, consumers, organic farmers, grower associations, environmental groups, farmers markets, food industry and venders, etc) and welcomes new members.

Vision Statement of SAPC

Small and large scale agriculture are important components of the distinctive character of Sarasota County=s natural settings and heritage, and their roles are acknowledged in the Apoxsee. The residents of Sarasota County foresee a sustainable agriculture that is capable of meeting the needs of the current generation of farmers while leaving equal or better opportunities for their future generations and for new farmers. Sustainable agriculture provides economically profitable, environmentally sound and socially responsible opportunities that will reduce the ecological footprint of Sarasota County. To this end, agricultural policies are to be enacted to support sustainable agriculture and community food system development, and for farmland protection.

Accomplishments of SAPC

•  Scheduling of bi monthly meetings for discussion and networking.
• Completion of comprehensive agriculture policy recommendations and submittal at EAR public input hearing to the BCC
• Acceptance by BCC of majority of recommendations as policy amendments to the Chapters for the Environment and Future Land Use

Current Activities of SAPC

• Organization of public meetings in 2006 spring on ag policy amendments in support of their final approval in the EAR process during early 2006 summer.
• Oversight participation in the implementation of these adopted ag policy amendments.
• Conducting a local food system assessment in order to identify sustainable ag economic development opportunities.

For further information on SAPC, please, contact your Ag/Natural Resource Extension Agent, Robert Kluson

AGRICULTURE POLICY AMENDMENTS TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF SARASOTA COUNTY 

Environment Chapter

Goal 4

Protect, maintain, and, where necessary, restore the natural resources of Sarasota County to ensure their continued high quality and critical value to the quality of life in the County.

Objective 4.7

Increase the environmental awareness and sustainable behavior of all County residents. 

Policy 4.7.8

The County shall support the implementation of Best Management Practices, as provided by the Sustainable Agriculture programs of the state and USDA, for local agriculture as a means of public education of sustainable agriculture’s role in reducing our ecological footprint and in maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. 

Policy 4.7.9

Encourage and support the development and adoption of sustainable farming practices, as provided by the Sustainable Agriculture Programs of the state and the USDA, in order to:

• promote environmental enhancement on all farms and ranches to provide connectivity with adjacent conservation lands
• promote establishment of wildlife habitat on agricultural lands that will contribute to habitat corridors and ecosystem functions. 

Future Land Use Chapter

Goal 1

Preserve, protect and restore the integrity of the natural environment, historic and archeological resources, neighborhoods and preserve agricultural uses consistent with resource protection. 

Objective 1.3

To preserve and protect agricultural lands. 

Policy 1.3.1

Within the Rural Area, as designated on the Future Land Use Map, the approval of development shall acknowledge that the preservation of agricultural lands is a primary function of the Rural Area and is necessary for a sustainable community. Land management activities associate with agricultural activities may be incompatible with other development.  However, such management activities are considered to be an essential element of the preservation of successful operations on agricultural lands and the continuation of such activities shall take precedence. Approved development of all parcels will be evaluated for compatibility to adjacent small and large scale farms. 

Policy 1.3.2

Within the Semi-Rural Area, as designated on the Future Land Use Map, the continuation of existing agricultural uses shall be allowed and shall not be deemed incompatible with existing or subsequent or residential nearby uses.  However, the expansion of such agricultural uses, for example, shall use appropriate techniques for furthering compatibility with existing uses while balancing the need to foster sustainable communities. Approved development of all parcels will be evaluated for compatibility to adjacent small and large scale farms. 

Policy 1.3.3

The county will support the implementation of a sustainable agriculture program to promote sustainable agriculture practices on private and publicly owned lands.  The program may include but shall not be limited to the following: 

• Provisions for community gardens and farms, as well as farmers markets. 
• Coordination with neighborhood planning efforts and subdivision review to provide adequate land for community gardens, farms, and farmers markets.
• Where appropriate, encourage the use of county parks for community gardens and farms, as well as farmers markets.
• Incentive-based programs for agricultural lands in all areas that use sustainable farming practices.
• Encouraging the School Board to use locally grown foods in the daily school breakfast and lunch programs.
• Encouraging the expansion of existing agricultural uses and development of new business involved in agriculture such as new agricultural technologies and infrastructure to allow operational activities of urban and small scale agricultural opportunities.
• Support for institutional purchasing from local agriculture.
• Support for a local foot marketing strategy.
• Support an assessment of the community food system in order to promote profitable small and large farms and alternative enterprises to sustain economically viable agricultural communities and to preserve the agricultural heritage of Sarasota County.
• Support for protection initiatives (e.g., farmland trusts, farmland mitigation, conservation easements, etc.) and small farms.