This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As the leaves and the seasons change, Utahns are beginning to make their way to pumpkin patches and corn mazes, even as they continue to flock to farmer's markets, roadside fruit stands, community-supported farms, public urban gardens and grocery stores that feature locally-grown fruits and vegetables. It's clear that Utahns recognize that something has been lost in the state's rapid urbanization and modernization; they want to reconnect with the land and the food that comes from it.
The evidence that Utahns are rediscovering and embracing agriculture is more than just anecdotal. From 2007 to 2014, the number of Utahns who said that farming and ranching are critical to the state's future jumped from 53 percent to 74 percent. In the Your Utah, Your Future survey, conducted by Envision Utah, 97 percent of respondents chose growth scenarios where Utah's food production increases substantially, including the transition of farmland from hay to fruit and vegetable production. To achieve this increased agricultural production, 87 percent said they were willing to have less water for their yards, and 82 percent supported keeping homes and businesses off of high-quality farmland.
These confessed values are being put to the test in Utah County, which is inseparably bound to both its long agricultural heritage and the population growth that threatens agriculture's future. Utah County is our state's top-grossing county for agriculture, but the county is projected to lose nearly 64,000 acres of farmland as its population more than doubles by 2050. Not just hayfields are threatened: over 6,000 acres of fruit production — three-quarters of the Utah's remaining orchards — are in the path of development, and the specific growing conditions required for fruit production mean that the orchards cannot simply be relocated elsewhere in the state.
There is cause for hope, however, as community leaders have unabashedly embraced a future for Utah County where agriculture coexists alongside a burgeoning population. These leaders, working side by side with a diverse group of community stakeholders, have created the Utah County Agriculture Toolbox, which made its public debut this past Thursday.
These stakeholders developed two goals for agriculture that are the foundation for the Agriculture Toolbox: First, to make and keep agriculture economically and socially viable in Utah County, and second, to encourage development patterns and implement measures that support agricultural land and water resources. Within these two goals are dozens of options and opportunities—tools, if you will—that will help ensure that agriculture remains a vibrant part of Utah County's economic and social fabric.
For the Agriculture Toolbox to be effective, the tools it contains will need to be used, and it will be up to Utah County's citizens and elected officials to decide which tools are right for the job of supporting and preserving the county's agriculture. If you live in Utah County, please visit http://www.utahagriculture.org and learn about what you and your community can do to keep agriculture in Utah County. If you like what you see, take action to support your local farms and speak to your elected officials on which tools you'd like to see used in your communities.
By creating the Agriculture Toolbox, Utah County has demonstrated that it's learned an important lesson: Population growth doesn't have to come solely at the expense of local agriculture. It's an important lesson that I hope results in copycats across the state! For those readers who live outside of Utah County, I strongly encourage you to study the Agriculture Toolbox as well, and consider how its tools can be used in your communities.
I hope my fellow Utahns will support the agricultural renaissance that is beginning to emerge in our state. The Agriculture Toolbox is strong evidence that Utah County intends to have agriculture in its future, but it will be up to local citizens and elected officials to make that happen.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food stands ready to help Utah County in its groundbreaking effort, as well as any other counties, cities, organizations or citizen groups that are inspired to try out the Agriculture Toolbox in their communities.
LuAnn Adams is the Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food.