The Grand Rapids Urban Agriculture Committee operates under the Department of Parks and Recreation. They focus on public education regarding the benefits of urban agriculture in Grand Rapids. The community also works to advise policymakers on:

• Urban food production infrastructure development

• Policies involving urban agriculture and planning

• The city's initiatives to enhance health, nutrition, food production, food access, and agricultural economics

• In 2017, the City of Grand Rapids formalized the Urban Ag Committee. Shortly after, the city charter was updated to reflect the rising popularity of urban agriculture:

• • • In the summer of 2021, the Urban Ag Committee helped Aquinas College gain permission to employ 20 goats to clear bushes and invasive plants on campus. The intention was to minimize fossil fuel usage and enhance sustainability. Despite initial resistance from city officials, due to the livestock ordinances at the time, advocacy efforts from the Urban Ag committee ultimately secured permission.

• In 2022-2023 the community recommended seven different ordinance changes. Two of the seven ordinances were changed based on these recommendations:

  • • Backyard chickens

    • Bees

Our project creates a new infographic for the Grand Rapids Urban Agriculture community to educate the public about the community and the recent ordinance changes involving backyard bees and chickens.