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

 

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: 1/2/2023

Carlos Calderon

City Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Robert Cloy

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Michelle Holliday

Mayoral Appointment
Representative of Grand Rapids Public Schools
Term Ends: 1/2/2023

Joan Huyser-Honig

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Alita Kelly

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/2/2023

Steve Krogman

City Manager Appointment
City Staff Member responsible for parks and recreation
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Jill Myer

Mayoral Appointment
Kent County Representative
Non-Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Lisa Oliver-King

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Crystal Tunstall

City Commission Appointment
Member Representing a Local Agriculture Organization
Non-Resident
Term Ends: 1/2/2023

Elizabeth Visser

City Manager Appointment
Member Representing the Blandford Nature Center
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

David Zimmermann

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends: 1/2/2023

Vacancy

Mayoral Appointment
Member representing a Farmers Market
Term ends: 1/2/2023

City Staff Contact

Board Liaison
Catherine Zietse
Parks & Recreation
616-456-3696

Meeting Details

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

2022 Meeting Schedule(PDF, 318KB)

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

We're collecting community feedback for policy updates!

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