Agenda - 08-19-2010 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities products to the community and have grown tremen- dously in popularity and economic impact in recent years. Beyond benefits to the fanners, who gain access to new consumers, the markets can also foster eco- nomic revitalization in the neighborhoods in which they are held .21 The Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market in Lawrence, Kansas —the oldest farmers' market in the state —draws residents to the downtown area three days a week to buy farm -fresh produce, meat, and eggs, as well as local crafts, supporting both local agriculture and local businesses .22 Government purchase of local products Increasingly, state and local governments are contract- ing with regional farmers to supply food for public institutions such as schools, prisons, and govern- ment offices. Governments can also purchase locally produced forest products (like fiber and biofuels) from area foresters. For example, in late 2008, Snohomish County, Washington, leaders dedicated a new facility to store, dry, and crush locally grown seeds that will be refined into biodiesel and used to power county vehicles .23 The investment creates a new cash crop for farmers and a renewable energy source for the local government. "Buy local" campaigns Many local and state governments assist their agricul- tural regions by holding annual festivals and helping to promote their products as a unified brand. "Buy local" campaigns, ranging from "Alaska Grown" to "Something Special From Wisconsin" to "Fresh From "Buy local" campaigns have become a popular way to market locally grown products and remind consumers of the Importance of supporting rural lands. Florida," increase the share of the market dedicated to local products and remind consumers of the value of rural lands. Nonprofit and government entities may provide marketing help, supportive legal guidelines, financial support, and organizational assistance to ensure the success of these efforts. Many restaurants and stores have also increasingly begun to buy locally available food and other natural resource -based products. Strategy U. Link rural land preservation strategies to great neighborhoods Transfer of development rights Transfer of development rights (TDR) refers to a method for protecting one area of undeveloped land (the "sending area ") by transferring the rights to develop it to another area (the "receiving area "). Twenty -six states currently have legislation enabling TDR, and twelve more have TDR programs, although they do not have state -level enabling legislation .24 Developers who purchase TDR bonuses are allowed to build at higher densities, while their dollars fund the local government purchase of selected rural con- servation easements elsewhere, in order to protect farms, forests, or ranches. In 2007, there were 99 TDR programs across the country.25 Montgomery County, Maryland, has a particularly successful TDR program, which it began in 1980. In the decade before the pro- gram was implemented, the county was losing 3,500 acres of land per year to sprawling suburban develop- ment. Now, using a combination of agricultural zoning and TDR, more than 50,000 acres are protected. In all, Montgomery County has a total of 90,000 acres of protected agricultural land .26 Like purchase of develop- ment rights, described in i.b. above, transfer of devel- opment rights rely on conservation easements. Priority funding areas Priority funding areas (PFAs) identify geographic areas that qualify for financial or other assistance, such as infrastructure or accelerated project approval. Typically designated at the state level and supported by local decisions, PFAs create incentives for development to take place in particular areas, including those where infrastructure exists already, while removing incentives for growth pressure in undeveloped areas. Connecticut identifies PFAs as regional centers, growth and redevel- opment areas, and distressed municipalities. The state specifically requires that state agencies "cooperate with municipalities to ensure that programs and activi- ties in rural areas sustain village character. 1127 103