Goal 4
Protect and regenerate our soil, water, and land
Our soil, water, and land in Kent County provide the very foundation of our food system. The food production practices we choose can either extract from or regenerate this natural resource base.
Key findings from the Kent County Food System Assessment highlight a concerning trend in Kent County—the loss of land for food production. Between 2001 and 2016, 2,100 acres of agricultural land in Kent County were converted to UHD (urban and highly developed) land uses and 11,200 acres were converted to LDR (low-density residential) land uses. As a growing metropolitan area, Kent County’s population has increased by 9.2 percent since 2010, in comparison with only 1.7 percent growth across the state during that time. Rapid growth can usher in development that puts pressure on greenspaces and agricultural land.5
5 Kent County Food System Assessment
Objective 1:
Protect and preserve agricultural land
Objective 2:
Encourage sustainable farming practices
Objective 3:
Align with City of Grand Rapids sustainability goals and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
Kent County Food Policy Council's Next Steps
Moving the plan forward
Partnership Engagement:
The Council will convene stakeholders to prioritize and work together on recommendations and identify relevant funding
Coordination of Action Items:
The Council will coordinate, track and delegate actions with community partners and members to ensure effective execution.
Progress Assessment:
Regular evaluation will assess and track the success of the plan.
Community Engagement:
The Council engage our community to present findings, gather community input and communicate about progress made
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