2019-064 Urban Farming and Community GardensDate: April 5, 2019 Report No. 2019-064
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Provide information about front-yard urban farming and community gardens in Denton.
BACKGROUND
On March 5, 2019 Council Member Hudspeth requested information regarding the City of
Orlando’s front-yard farming initiative, and what steps would be required to implement a similar
program in Denton.
Governing.com recently published an article highlighting Chris Castro, Director of Sustainability
in Orlando, Florida who launched the Fleet Farming program in the city. This local initiative allows
residents to use their front yards as miniature farms.
Through the program, homeowners get five-to-ten percent of the harvest, and a local non-profit
IDEAS For Us sells the rest to local restaurants and farmers markets. The Fleet Farming program
aims to address pollution from agriculture and was started after Orlando passed an ordinance that
allows farming on up to 60 percent of a resident’s front yard.
DISCUSSION
There are currently no restrictions in the Denton Development Code (DDC) regarding front-yard
gardens, as agricultural uses are allowed in the current DDC in all zoning districts. If a property
owner would like to start a community garden, that would require a Certificate of Occupancy, and
additional items may be required depending on the needs of the community garden. For example,
if the garden requires water that is not already available then there may be fees for running water,
acquiring easements, etc. More information about urban farming in the DDC can be found in the
September 2016 Urban Farming presentation to the Council Committee on the Environment
(Attachment 1).
Local food production is one of the core tenets of the City’s Simply Sustainable Plan. Chapter 10
of the Plan outlines three strategies to support local farmers, urban agriculture, and community
gardens. The City supports local businesses, facilitates public access to local food, and helps
decrease air pollution and fossil fuel consumption by reducing the distance food travels. The
strategies outlined to achieve this are:
• Strategy 1: Encourage community gardens within city limits.
• Strategy 2: Evaluate opportunities to increase access and availability of locally produced
food including backyard urban gardens, backyard urban chickens, and food cooperatives.
• Strategy 3: Increase number of vendors participating at farmer’s markets and craft fairs in
the community.
To encourage urban farming and equip residents with the education that they need to be successful,
Sustainability staff have been offering gardening workshops for the past five years. The following
free workshops have been offered this fiscal year through Sustainability:
Date: April 5, 2019 Report No. 2019-064
• The Urban Harvest: Foraging in the City
• Introduction to Beekeeping
• Composting
• Small Container Gardens Class
• Seed Starting Class
• Creating Living Soils
• UNT Gardening Workshop
• Spring Organic Gardening
• Introduction to Permaculture
• Key Hole Gardening
• Basics of Irrigation
The workshops are geared toward providing attendees direction on how to build a garden that is
both sustainable, cost effective, and aesthetically beautiful. Over the past two years, attendance
has been consistently increasing for all of the sustainability workshops. Sustainability also
continues to partner with local organizations such as the Denton County Master Gardeners,
Agrilife Water University, Elm Fork Master Naturalists, local farmers, and other community
members to provide workshops at no cost to the public.
In addition to these workshops, staff also partnered with the Master Gardener Association and the
Emily Fowler Seed Library to offer the Seed Swap program. Over 90 people attended the event
that celebrated Spring’s arrival by sharing different seeds from plants.
The City also has the Bowling Green Park and Community Garden located at 2200 Bowling Green
St. The 18-acre community park and garden is home to a playground, picnic tables and benches, a
small fruit orchard, and a community garden. The community garden opens on the first Sunday of
February and closes November 15th of each year. It contains 51 plots with 15 specifically
designated for organic planting. Each plot is approximately 15x15 or 20x11 in size. Plots are
reserved on a first come first serve basis at a cost of $20 per plot for a year.
In keeping with the concept of a community-run garden, the Parks and Recreation Department
(PARD) works closely with a garden committee and a Community Garden Coordinator. These
individuals serve as the liaison between the City and the gardeners and are responsible for the
initial staking of the plots each year with material provided by PARD. The Garden Coordinator
organizes a rules committee consisting of at least two other community gardeners who settle
disputes, decide on rule infractions, and enforce compliance of the Denton Community Garden
agreement signed by each gardener. Charles McKee, Shirley Brown, and Vicky Ramirez have
signed on to be the Coordinator and members of the rules committee.
PARD mows and tills the garden plots once a year and provides access to water. A dumpster
container is also provided at the end of the season for clean-up. Garden users are responsible for
maintaining their plot consistently throughout the growing season. At this time, 28 of the 51 plots
are rented, including eight of the 15 organic plots.
Date: April 5, 2019 Report No. 2019-064
Shiloh Field is another community garden located within city limits. The garden, located on
Nottingham Drive between Mingo Rd. and Audra Ln., began in 2009. At 14.5 acres, Shiloh Field
is the largest community garden in the country. There are 155 pots that can be used by individuals.
There is no fee for use and water is free.
Shiloh Field has farming operations to donate to local organizations with the goal of feeding the
community. There are orchards of peach, pear, plum, and persimmon trees, giant patches of black-
eyed peas, blackberries, Irish and sweet potatoes, asparagus, and okra. There are also three large,
covered grow tunnels that allow Shiloh to grow and harvest through the winter. More information
can be found on their Facebook Page or by calling (940) 367-0221.
ATTACHMENTS
1. September 2016 Urban Farming presentation to the Committee on the Environment
STAFF CONTACT:
Stuart Birdseye
Management Analyst
(940) 349-8009
Stuart.Birdseye@cityofdenton.com
Urban Farming in Denton
Julie Wyatt & Nona Elaine Muncie–Development Services
Request
Discuss current regulations associated with urban
farming in the City of Denton
Simply Sustainable
“…protect and restore the environment, create economic value,
and support and strengthen our community.”
Denton Plan 2030
Element 2: Land
Use -Urban
agriculture is
encouraged within the
development criteria
for rural, residential,
and downtown Future
Land Use categories.
Denton Plan 2030
Denton Plan 2030
Element 8: Community Health, Safety, &
Services -Recommends planning for healthy
communities by expanding community gardens
and urban agriculture.
Denton Development Code
Subchapter 23 -Definitions
Agricultural Activity
Land used exclusively as a bonafide agricultural operation by
the owner or tenant.The use of land for agricultural purposes
including farming,horticulture,animal and poultry
husbandry,and the necessary accessory uses,provided that
the operation of the accessory use is clearly incidental to the
agricultural activity.An accessory use shall include incidental
sales by the producer of products raised on the farm.
Denton Development Code
Agriculture
Livestock:Facilities for the raising,breeding,or maintenance of domestic
animals including,but not limited to cattle,horses,sheep,swine,goats,and
poultry.This definition does not include feed lots or similar uses.
Sale of Products Grown On-site:Roadside stands or other
temporary structures constructed for the sale of agricultural or horticultural
products raised substantially on the premises.
Zoning DistrictsAGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
Agriculture Livestock Sale of Products Grown on Site
RD-5 P L(7)P
RC P L(7)P
NR-1 P L(7)N
NR-2 P L(7)N
NR-3 P L(7)N
NR-4 P L(7)N
NR-6 P L(7)N
NRMU-12 P L(7)N
NRMU P L(7)N
DR-1 P L(7)N
DR-2 P L(7)N
DC-N P L(7)N
DC-G P L(7)N
CM-G P L(7)N
CM-E P L(7)N
RCR-1 P L(7)N
RCR-2 P L(7)N
RCC-N P L(7)N
RCC-D P L(7)N
EC-C P L(7)N
EC-I P L(7)N
IC-E P L(7)N
IC-G P L(7)N
Agriculture is permitted by right in all
zoning districts within the City of Denton,
subject to platting, infrastructure, accessory
building, storage, site design, and parking
requirements necessary to support
activities on the site.
Zoning DistrictsAGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
Agriculture Livestock Sale of Products Grown on Site
RD-5 P L(7)P
RC P L(7)P
NR-1 P L(7)N
NR-2 P L(7)N
NR-3 P L(7)N
NR-4 P L(7)N
NR-6 P L(7)N
NRMU-12 P L(7)N
NRMU P L(7)N
DR-1 P L(7)N
DR-2 P L(7)N
DC-N P L(7)N
DC-G P L(7)N
CM-G P L(7)N
CM-E P L(7)N
RCR-1 P L(7)N
RCR-2 P L(7)N
RCC-N P L(7)N
RCC-D P L(7)N
EC-C P L(7)N
EC-I P L(7)N
IC-E P L(7)N
IC-G P L(7)N
L(7): Limited to two
animals on parcels
one to three acres in
size. Additional
animals may be
added at a rate of
one per each acre
over three.
Zoning DistrictsAGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
Agriculture Livestock Sale of Products Grown on Site
RD-5 P L(7)P
RC P L(7)P
NR-1 P L(7)N
NR-2 P L(7)N
NR-3 P L(7)N
NR-4 P L(7)N
NR-6 P L(7)N
NRMU-12 P L(7)N
NRMU P L(7)N
DR-1 P L(7)N
DR-2 P L(7)N
DC-N P L(7)N
DC-G P L(7)N
CM-G P L(7)N
CM-E P L(7)N
RCR-1 P L(7)N
RCR-2 P L(7)N
RCC-N P L(7)N
RCC-D P L(7)N
EC-C P L(7)N
EC-I P L(7)N
IC-E P L(7)N
IC-G P L(7)N
Discussion
Julie Wyatt & Nona Elaine Muncie