Jonesboro Approves City Agriculture Plan!

On November 13, 2023, the Jonesboro City Council unanimously approved the resolution adopting Jonesboro's City Agriculture Plan. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our partners at the Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Jonesboro, and the Jonesboro Steering Committee for their hard work in developing an impactful and inclusive plan.

Food Well Alliance has applied for additional grant funding through the USDA in partnership with the City of Jonesboro to support the implementation phase. This grant could help fund activities outlined in the City Agriculture Plan.

Take Part in Jonesboro’s Community Conversations!

In partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Food Well Alliance will begin working with Jonesboro’s city government and residents to develop an inclusive and equitable City Agriculture Plan. The Plan is a roadmap for a city to achieve its vision of creating a vibrant and sustainable community food system over the next 5-10 years.Ensuring that community voices are heard, represented, and invested in is critical to the success of the City Agriculture Plan and will help set priorities for the Plan’s strategic recommendations.

We are looking to you to help us understand what issues and opportunities need to be addressed in this plan! How does a strong local food system fit into your vision for how Jonesboro is growing? Topics might include expanding access to local food, strengthening farm-to-school programs, amending city zoning ordinances to better support local growing opportunities, supporting soil health and pollinators, and any other related issue areas.

Volunteers at the Jonesboro Community Garden orchard planting.

It’s Official! Jonesboro Will Develop the Next City Agriculture Plan

After evaluating applications from across metro Atlanta, Food Well Alliance and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) have selected the City of Jonesboro to develop the region's next City Agriculture Plan! Jonesboro has a thriving weekly farmers market and a growing community garden program run through the Jonesboro Police Department.

Strengthening and growing Jonesboro's community food system has emerged as a priority for residents. Jonesboro’s City Agriculture Plan will offer a roadmap to unite the existing local food community and the City government in a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable food system.

What’s Next?

The Mayor and Council adopted the Memorandum of Understanding and approved the planning process on January 9, 2023. The first phase of the City Agriculture Plan will begin in spring, and your input as a Jonesboro resident will be a valuable component of Plan creation.

The Community Engagement Phase includes resident-led focus groups designed to identify ways locally grown food can be integrated into the city’s existing plans and programs. The engagement phase also helps appoint a balanced and diverse Steering Committee to guide Jonesboro through the planning phase. 

Once Jonesboro’s Plan is developed with ARC, Food Well Alliance will steer its implementation and provide $75,000 in funding to help bring the plan to life.

Are you a Jonesboro resident interested in participating in phase one of the City Agriculture Plan? Sign up to receive regular updates on how you can get involved.

Photos by City of Jonesboro Police Department at the Jonesboro Community Garden orchard planting.