Farms Become the Latest Must-Have Suburban Amenity

Forget about golf courses and swimming pools, says Luke Runyon, developers are drawing in residents by integrating fully functioning farms into their new neighborhoods.

1 minute read

December 18, 2013, 5:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Runyon looks at the trend in "development-supported agriculture, a more intimate version of community-supported agriculture — a farm-share program commonly known as CSA."

"In planning a new neighborhood," he explains, "a developer includes some form of food production — a farm, community garden, orchard, livestock operation, edible park — that is meant to draw in new buyers, increase values and stitch neighbors together."

"'These projects are becoming more and more mainstream,' says Ed McMahon, a fellow with the Urban Land Institute. He estimates that more than 200 developments with an agricultural twist already exist nationwide."

FULL STORY: Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents With Farms

Tuesday, December 17, 2013 in NPR

Land Use United States Agriburbia Suburban Agriculture Urban Agriculture Farms Local Food View More

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