Urban Agriculture 

An industry that produces, processes, and markets food and fuel, largely in response to the daily demand of consumers within a town, city or metropolis, on land and water dispersed throughout the urban and per-urban area, applying intensive production methods, using and reusing natural resources and urban wastes, to yield a diversity of crop and livestock (American Planning Association). 

Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA)

The production, distribution and marketing of food and other products within the cores of metropolitan areas (comprising community and school gardens; backyard and rooftop horticulture; and innovative food-production methods that maximize production in a small area), and at their edges (including farms supplying urban farmers markets, community supported agriculture, and family farms located in metropolitan greenbelts). Looked at broadly, UPA is a complex activity, addressing issues central to community food security, neighborhood development, environmental sustainability, land use planning, agricultural and food systems, farmland preservation, and other concerns (Community Food Security Coalition).

USDA Low-income Low-access Food Desert (LILA)

This is a low-income (20% of population at or below the federal poverty level or the median family income for the tract is at or below 80% of the median income of surrounding areas); and low-access (33% lives beyond a half mile to a grocery store or supermarket (USDA, 2017.)

AgLanta Grows-A-Lot 

A vacant, city-owned property that can be adopted by a garden group or farmer(s) and utilized for urban agriculture. 

AgLanta Grows-A-Lot  Map 

A map of vacant, city-owned properties available for citizens to adopt for their urban garden or farm project. The map includes information about each site and photos.  

Urban Farm

Land within a city used for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, herbs, bees or animals by an individual, organization, or business with the primary purpose of growing food for distribution (including for-profit and non-profit enterprises).  

 Urban Garden 

A lot, or any portion thereof, managed and maintained by a person or group of persons, for growing and harvesting, farming, community gardening, or any other use, which contributes to the production of agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural products for beautification, education, recreation, community use, consumption, off-site sale, or off-site donation. No on-site sales are permitted. In residential zoning districts, urban gardens are permitted as an accessory use to any structure that serves as a permitted principal use, and urban gardens may be allowed as a principal use on undeveloped lots by a special administrative permit (SAP) in accordance with section 16-25.004. In all other zoning districts (nonresidential), urban gardens are allowed as a principal or accessory use without an SAP, unless otherwise expressly stated by that particular zoning district's regulations. The term urban garden does not include gardens located on lots with residential structures and grown for personal use of the residents of those lots. (Part 16—Zoning—Ch. 29—Sec. 16.29—(83)(a))

Applicant

The individual (s) or organization submitting the Aglanta urban farm or garden application.  Partnerships with other entities, are permitted. However, for the purposes of this application, select one entity to be considered the applicant.  This entity must remain consistent throughout the document. 

AgLanta Grows-A-Lot Advisory Committee (AGAC)

An advisory committee comprised of experienced, Atlanta-based, urban farmers, gardeners, food system leaders,  and representatives from City of Atlanta departments that partnered with the Mayor's Office of Resilience to review best emerging practices of municipal Adopt-a-Lot programs in cities throughout the U.S (Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Jersey City etc.) and draft recommendations for creating a clear, transparent and equitable application process for the pilot. 

The AGAC will review Aglanta Grow-A-Lot Urban Garden and Urban Farm applications, assist with interviews for urban farms, review feedback of pilot participants, assist if and when challenges arise, and offer recommendations for improving and expanding the AgLanta Grow-A-Lot program based on lessons learned during the pilot year. 

Farmer

The principal operator of the agriculture site.

 Urban Garden SAP

Special Administrative Permit required to operate an urban garden as a principal use within any residential district. Said permit shall expire 12 months from issuance and such use shall thereafter only operate upon issuance of a new SAP in the manner prescribed herein. (Sec. 16-25.004)

Garden Manager

The urban garden group leader. This person will serve as a main point of contact, and help organize the garden group team. 

Garden Sponsor Organization

The non-profit or business entity authorized to enter into a 5- year licensure agreement with the City of Atlanta and serve as the garden group’s fiscal sponsor.

Due Process

A course of  proceedings by which an urban garden or farm applicant undertakes to decide if a particular property is right for their proposed urban farm or garden project (ex: review sun exposure, slope, water access, soil, information about the site listed on the AgLanta Grow-A-Lot Map etc.).  The AgLanta Resource page offers links to organizations and resources that can assist. 

Garden (or Farm) Bylaws

Guidelines or rules that community gardeners or farmers develop to help their team work together to manage a successful urban agriculture project. Examples of bylaws can be found via links within the AgLanta Resources. 

Energy Easement

This is the legal agreement between the easement holder and the property owner.  A permanent right authorizing a person or party to use  the land or property of another for a particular purpose. In this case, a utility company acquires certain rights to build and maintain transmission equipment (Alberta Land Surveyors Association, Georgia Power). 

Energy Right-of-Way (ROW)

This is the physical land area upon which the facilities (transmission towers etc.) are located (Xcelenergy). Energy ROWs represents miles of contiguous, cleared, arable, underutilized land, which cannot be developed.  Urban farmers and gardeners in cities such as Seattle, WA.; Los Angeles, Ca.; Toronto, CA;  Irvine, Ca; Athens, Ga;  Havana, Cuba; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Rio De Janerio have access to this land and have cultivated productive linear farms, gardens, trails, and pollinator habitat in energy ROWs. The AgLanta Grow-A-Lot Urban Farm program will be piloted on Georgia Power Energy Right-of-Ways. 

Secondary-Land Use 

The primary use of an energy right-of-way is to supply energy to the public. Any additional land use in this space is considered secondary. There are 3 categories of secondary- land uses: 1) an acceptable use;  2) a permitted use via an encroachment agreement;  and 3) a prohibited use.  Urban farming is a secondary-land use, permitted via an encroachment permit between the City of Atlanta. Groundwork Atlanta, and Georgia Power. Farmers must adhere to certain guidelines (ex: crop height, size and placement of structures, setbacks etc.) so that the primary use is not compromised. 

5- Year Licensure Agreement

An agreement between the farmer (or Garden Sponsor Organization) and City of Atlanta to use the pilot Aglanta Allotment site for urban agriculture venture for a period of five years, with an option to renew in three-year increments. A license is a contract in which the owner gives a person or entity permission to engage in a particular activity on the property.   Dig, Eat, and Be Healthy: A Guide to Growing Food on Public Property provides an excellent description of a license vs. other forms of agreements.