John DeWald and Associates are very active in the design and development of agrihoods (example Serosun Farms) and have been advisors to other agrihood projects (www.rhodesmoore.com).  Their observations include the following:

* As of 2013, 35% of all households were growing food at home or community gardens—-17% increase from 2008
*  In 2016 the number of farmers markets increased 2.3% over 2015 and fivefold since 1994
* Small farms now constitute 88 percent of all farms, are 47 percent of the value of all farm real estate, and provide 20
percent of agricultural sales
* Consumers are more interested than ever in what they eat and where food comes from
* The average piece of produce is shipped 1,500 miles before it reaches a plate

Why Consider an Agrihood?

  1. A Tool for Farm and Farmland Preservation
  2. A Tool to Help Promote Local Food
  3. A Way to Help a Struggling Farm Work?
  1. A Way to Help a Retiring Farm
    Family Leverage their Biggest Asset
  2. A Way to Differentiate from a Subdivision

Advantages to the Farm Owner

  • Greater Potential Sales Value for the Land
  • Preservation of the Farm and Family Heritage
  • Ability to Keep Farming
  • Land is Subsidized

Advantages to the Developer

  • Lower Cost of Development and Amenities & Lower Land Costs
  • Higher Sales Value of Lots and Homes
  • Faster Sales Absorption
  • Can Leverage Community Good Will

Agrihoods Benefits

* A Competitive Edge

* Promotes Health and Social Interaction

* Provides Environmental Benefits

* Creates Jobs and Supports the local Economy

Example: Instead of building 100 homes on one-acre lots, an agrihood might include 100 homes on quarter-acre lots with 75 acres of conserved open space and/or farmland

Advantages to the Greater Community

  • Preserved Farmland and Open Space at Low to No Cost
  • Community Development and Amenities
  • Access to Local, High Quality Food
  • Economic Development

Advantages to the Residents

  • Lifestyle that is Hard to Find
  • Activated Community
  • Local, Quality Fresh Food
  • Direct Contact with Farm and Nature
  • Aesthetics that are Hard to Reproduce Elsewhere

What is Necessary for an Agrihood to Succeed?

  1. A Vision
  2. An Appropriate Location
  3. A Business and Finance Plan
  4. A Viable Governance Plan
  5. A Receptive Municipality
  6. A Good Team
  7. A Strategy for How to Integrate the Farm and Community
  8. An Approach that Helps Assure the Farm’s Success and Viability