Provided by: Johnson County Food Policy Council

Background

The creation of a Comprehensive Plan is currently underway, replacing the current Land Use Plan. The Comprehensive Plan will address Sustainable Development, Economic Development, Transportation and Infrastructure, Quality of Life and Land Use in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County. The county’s Unified Development Ordinance will be updated based on the goals of the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The Comprehensive Plan will guide development in unincorporated areas of Johnson County for the next decade or more.

Food Policy Council

The purpose of the Council is to improve dialogue and discussion and provide necessary advice on food and agriculture issues to the county, municipalities, community boards, local agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and other interested groups.

The Johnson County Food Policy Council adopted two priority issues to focus on in the Comprehensive Plan:
1. Ag-Exemption based on land use rather than minimum acreage size
2. Adoption of a Rural Agri-Tourism Zoning District

 

Issue #1: Define a farm based on land use rather than minimum acreage

What is the issue?

Ag-Exemption and the definition of a farm in Johnson County is currently based on acreage size (40 acres or more).

A farmer operating on less than 40 acres has limited opportunity to build a home on their land or develop important farm infrastructure. Farmers on more than 40 acres do not have these challenges.
 

Why is it important?

  • Redefining a farm will allow more small farmers to live on the land where they farm.
  • County policies should encourage land used for food production. Current minimum acreage restriction allows fewer opportunities for farmers in Johnson County to grow food direct to consumers and farmers markets. The majority of food available to consumers in Johnson County is grown out of the state. Increasing the population of local market growers can have far reaching impacts to the health of our community, economy, soil, water and more.
  • Current county policy could be addressed and changed based on the final version of the Comprehensive Plan.


Current Barriers for Small Farmers

Farming is a seasonal profession, often consisting of long hours, often 7 days a week. Not being able to live on the farm is a hardship for farmers.
 
Not being able to provide housing for labor is a challenge for small farmers (farmers that have 40 acres or more are able to build a second house on their land for family or laborers.)


The Potential

  • A small amount of land can produce thousands of pounds of food annually and this type of farming is in demand in Johnson County.
  • Smaller scale farming puts more money into our county and encourages new farmers and new types of agriculture within our county.
  • Currently, most farmers vending at the Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty Farmers Markets are not growing food in Johnson County, providing an opportunity for Johnson County farmers.


Solution

Johnson County needs to define a farm based on land use and not on lot size and needs creative ideas on how to better support agricultural production of varying scales and variety.

 

Issue #2: The need for expanded economic development and tourism opportunities in the unincorporated areas of the County.


What is the issue?

Most current Agri-tourism-type enterprises in Johnson County are required to apply for and receive a multiple special event conditional use permit on an annual basis. The permits are not permanent, only allow for limited operation, and can make predictability and growth harder for small producers to project as conditions could potentially change from year to year. An Agri-tourism Zoning District could provide more regulatory predictability and economic security to these types of businesses than annual conditional use permits.


Why is it important?

  • Standard regulations for Agri-tourism uses would provide predictability and economic security to farmers seeking to diversify their land-based business.
  • Agri-tourism zoning district would provide an avenue for new rural establishments offering agricultural educational activities, local food markets, farm tours, orchards, cideries, community gardens, restaurants, bakeries & more.
  • Establishments such as these create jobs and increase the tax base.


Solution

The Johnson County Comprehensive Plan should encourage more diverse rural economic development--including a focus on Agri-tourism--in unincorporated areas of the county.