State Planning Releases New Publication on Planning for the Food System
28th in Models & Guidelines Series Focuses on Best Practices in Land Use Planning and Economic Development Relating to Food Policy
BALTIMORE (September 25, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Planning today released Planning for the Food System, a publication presenting best practices in Maryland and the nation for incorporating the local food system in local planning and development policies. This 28th topic in MDP's Models & Guidelines series outlines these practices from local governments and non-profits that are addressing locally-grown food supply and related policy in the areas of production, processing, marketing, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Planning for the Food System makes the connection between food policy and land use planning and a case for including these issues in local master plans and State land use policies.
"Promoting a system of locally grown and raised food in Maryland is integral to the role of planning in general and PlanMaryland in particular," said Richard E. Hall, Secretary of Planning. "Without a healthy agricultural sector, containing sprawling residential development becomes more difficult. We can't sustain a healthy agricultural sector without innovations in zoning and other regulations to accommodate these rapid changes - issues that my department is passionate about."
Maryland is projected to grow by 1 million more residents by 2035 than today. Under current land use practices, it is estimated that this development would consume more than 400,000 acres of land. The ideas put forward in Planning for the Food System, support the goal of PlanMaryland to better protect the Chesapeake Bay and save - through a smaller development footprint - about 300,000 acres of farmland and forest. As is stated in the publication, "A way of life is sustainable when the present generation uses resources without depleting or damaging them to the detriment of future generations." .
The publication is available for download in The Library at MDP's website, Planning.Maryland.gov.
28th in Models & Guidelines Series Focuses on Best Practices in Land Use Planning and Economic Development Relating to Food Policy
BALTIMORE (September 25, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Planning today released Planning for the Food System, a publication presenting best practices in Maryland and the nation for incorporating the local food system in local planning and development policies. This 28th topic in MDP's Models & Guidelines series outlines these practices from local governments and non-profits that are addressing locally-grown food supply and related policy in the areas of production, processing, marketing, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Planning for the Food System makes the connection between food policy and land use planning and a case for including these issues in local master plans and State land use policies.
"Promoting a system of locally grown and raised food in Maryland is integral to the role of planning in general and PlanMaryland in particular," said Richard E. Hall, Secretary of Planning. "Without a healthy agricultural sector, containing sprawling residential development becomes more difficult. We can't sustain a healthy agricultural sector without innovations in zoning and other regulations to accommodate these rapid changes - issues that my department is passionate about."
Maryland is projected to grow by 1 million more residents by 2035 than today. Under current land use practices, it is estimated that this development would consume more than 400,000 acres of land. The ideas put forward in Planning for the Food System, support the goal of PlanMaryland to better protect the Chesapeake Bay and save - through a smaller development footprint - about 300,000 acres of farmland and forest. As is stated in the publication, "A way of life is sustainable when the present generation uses resources without depleting or damaging them to the detriment of future generations." .
The publication is available for download in The Library at MDP's website, Planning.Maryland.gov.