Urban Agriculture Committee

2025 Urban Agriculture Committee

Department in Charge of This Board

Parks and Recreation

About the Board

We educate the public about the benefits of urban agriculture in Grand Rapids. We offer our knowledge to policymakers in several areas:

  • The development of urban food production infrastructure
  • Policies that involve urban agriculture and urban planning
  • City efforts to promote health, nutrition, food production, food access, and agricultural economics

City Code Sec. 6.50 grants our board its authority

Apply for Boards and Commissions

Current Agriculture Regulations

Urban Agriculture Guide

Download Documents

Infographic: "So you want to farm in your backyard?"(PDF, 1MB)

Committee Information

Reports

 

Committee Minutes and Agendas

2025 Minutes

March 12 2025 Minutes(PDF, 149KB)

(PDF, 176KB)January 2025 Minutes(PDF, 176KB)

2025 Agendas

May 2025 Agenda(PDF, 161KB)

March 2025 Agenda(PDF, 159KB)

January 2025 Agenda(PDF, 158KB)

2024 Agendas

September 2024 Agenda(PDF, 220KB)

March 2024 Agenda(PDF, 210KB)

January 2024 Agenda(PDF, 134KB)

2024 Minutes

November 2024 Minutes(PDF, 172KB)

September 2024 Minutes(PDF, 136KB)

March 2024 Minutes(PDF, 162KB)

January 2024 Minutes(PDF, 145KB)

2023 Minutes

November 2023 Minutes(PDF, 132KB)

September 2023 Minutes(PDF, 133KB)

July 2023 Minutes(PDF, 136KB)

January 2023 Minutes(PDF, 156KB)

 

2022 Minutes

Previous Years

 

Board Composition

  • 13 members
  • The Mayor appoints 4 members
  • The City Commission appoints 6 members
  • The City Manager appoints 3 members

The Mayor's Appointees

  • 1 represents a farmers' market
  • 1 represents a local agricultural organization
  • 1 represents GRPS
  • 1 represents Kent County

The City Manager's Appointees

  • 1 member from Blanford Nature Center
  • 1 is a City staff member responsible in the areas of zoning, economic development, or code enforcement
  • 1 is a City staff member responsible in the area of Parks and Recreation

Connie Bohatch

City Manager Appointment
City Staff Member responsible for zoning, economic development, or code enforcement
Non-Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027

Carlos Calderon

Commissioner Ysasi Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027 

Muriel Lutes

Commissioner Robbins Appointment Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027

Evvia Marshall

Commissioner O'Connor Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027

Kimberly Moore

Commissioner Perdue Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/4/2027

Vacancy 

Mayoral Appointment
Member Representing a Local Community Support Agriculture Organization
Term Ends: 1/4/2027

Vacancy

Mayoral Appointment
Member representing a Farmers Market
Term ends: 1/4/2027 

Vacancy 

Commissioner Knight Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027

Vacancy

Commissioner Kilgore Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends: 1/4/2027

City Staff Contact

Board Liaison
-
Parks & Recreation
616-456-3696

Meeting Details

We keep a schedule of all meetings for the current year.

 

Download Annual Meeting Schedule (2025)(PDF, 58KB)

 

Quick Links

Have questions about composting, backyard chickens, or growing food in the city?

 

Check out this guide on urban agriculture in Grand Rapids.

 Urban Agriculture Guide

 

 

Do you want to learn more about starting a community garden or growing in the City?

Grand Rapids Growing Guide(PDF, 3MB)

Community Feedback

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