Urban Agriculture Committee | City of Grand Rapids, Michigan

About the Committee

The Urban Agriculture Committee is an advisory committee that established in 2017 to support urban agriculture in our city and is comprised of residents and food system leaders in Grand Rapids, who partner with City staff, to grow and enhance our local food resilience and access. City Code Sec. 6.50 grants this board its authority to provide leadership and expertise to policy makers in the development of public infrastructure necessary for increased urban food production, processing and marketing.

Vision: Grand Rapids will strengthen its local food resilience, quality of life and public health for all.

Mission: To educate and empower the community by providing policy review, recommendations and support for urban agriculture.

The UAC currently has 3 vacancies and interested individuals are encouraged to apply! Check out the Current Members section below for details on which seats are available.

9 members
Mayor appoints 2 members
- 1 represents a farmers' market
- 1 represents a local agricultural organization
City Commission appoints 6 members
- Each Commissioner appointing one member, from their ward, with an interest in urban agriculture issues.
City Manager appoints 1 member

The UAC is subject to the provisions of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. [MCL §15.261 et seq.]

Residency Requirements

There is no residency requirement to be a member of this board.

Term Limits

Each member shall be appointed to serve for a term of 2 years. Members may only serve 2 consecutive terms as Chair and/or Vice-chair.

Compensation

There is no compensation for being a member on this board.

Name	Appointment	Resident Status	Term Ends On
Connie Bohatch	City Staff Member	Non-Resident	1/4/2027
Muriel Lutes	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 1 Resident	1/4/2027
Evvia Marshall	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 3 Resident	1/4/2027
Kimberly Moore (Vice-Chair)	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 3 Resident	1/4/2027
Amanda Faber (Chair)	Mayoral Appointment	Local Community Support Agriculture Organization	1/4/2027
Vacancy	Mayoral Appointment	Farmers Market	1/4/2027
Stacy Stout	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 1 Resident	1/4/2027
Sarah Larson	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 1 Resident	1/4/2027
Vacancy	Commissioner Appointment	Ward 3 Resident	1/4/2027

Interested in joining this board?

There is no residency requirement to become a member of this board. Appointed board members are given a term of three years. Members of this board receive no compensation and operate on a volunteer basis.

Apply

Growing or producing food by cultivating plants or raising animals in the city via activities such as:

community and school gardens, urban farms and urban orchards
community supported agriculture (CSAs) & farmers markets
aquaponics (systems integrating fish and plants)
raising chickens or bees
composting on your property

Documents

Committee Agendas

Approved Committee Minutes

Pre-2025 agendas & minutes are available upon request.

Urban Agriculture Resources

Reports

Backyard Chickens

If you want to have chickens in your backyard, you can apply for a Backyard Chicken Permit if your property meets certain size requirements. Please check with your adjacent neighbors first before applying.

View the Backyard Chicken Permit

Backyard Bees

If you want to have bees in your backyard, you can apply for a Backyard Bee Permit. Backyard bees are permitted so long as the hive/box size and placement regulations are followed.

View the Backyard Bee Permit

Greenhouse Permit

If you are looking to build a permanent greenhouse, or similar season-extension structure on your property, you will need an Accessory Structure permit. A permit ensures the work meets our community's standards as defined in the Michigan residential building code and the City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance.

Currently, structures that are constructed with a tubular frame construction, or with canvas, plastic film (or similar exterior material that does not provide long-term durability) are not permitted.

View the Accessory Structure Permit