Farmers and landowners, rejoice!
The Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Ordinance, a result of Assemblymember Phil Ting's AB 551 bill, was announced Monday morning in a press conference, according to Inside Scoop.
The ordinance will give landowners tax breaks if they offer their land for agriculture uses for a minimum of 10 years. However, the land can only be used for agricultural purposes, meaning there cannot be a house or building on said land. If the owner wishes to null the contract prematurely, they will have to pay the government back the tax break, according to the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance.
This plan is ideal for vacant lots all over the city, much like the late Hayes Valley Farm if you'll recall from last summer.
Inside Scoop also reported that the produce grown in these lots will be given back to their communities and food banks for free. They also predicted that the 18th and Rhode Island Permaculture Garden will be the first space to reap what they sow.
The soon-to-be gardens can be utilized as bee and livestock farms as well as give a venue for children's camps and workshops.
As a community that goes nuts for all things local, San Franciscans should be ecstatic because you can't get more local than this.
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