Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review findings to be presented Sept. 22

Boulder County, Colo. – The findings of a Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review will be presented to Boulder County’s Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee and Food and Agriculture Policy Council at a public meeting on Sept. 22.

Who: Hunter Lovins and Nick Sterling of Natural Capitalism Solutions will present
What: The presentation will precede the regularly scheduled POSAC meeting
When: Thursday, Sept. 22, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder

The Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review is available at www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/croplandpolicy.

Longmont-based Natural Capitalism Solutions’ report examines sustainable agriculture practices related to energy, water use, climate, soil health, pest management, biodiversity, labor, human health and the local economy. It also studies primarily peer-reviewed research, and identifies data gaps and areas where further research is needed.

The Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review will support and inform the work of the Cropland Policy Advisory Group and Parks and Open Space staff in their work to create a Cropland Policy for Boulder County open space lands.

Cropland Policy
The effort to develop a management policy for county-owned croplands began in 2010 with public outreach, including farm tours, an open house, a Sustainable Agriculture Forum and a Farm and Ranch Panel Discussion.

In 2011, the Board of County Commissioners convened the Cropland Policy Advisory Group to advise Boulder County staff in developing the policy. The members of the CPAG are developing recommendations for the Cropland Policy through discussion and proposed policy statements.

The CPAG policy recommendations will be finalized in early October, and will go through a public hearing process in October and November with another open house, hearings before the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee and Food and Agriculture Policy Council in November and December. The Board of County Commissioners will make the final policy decisions.