Agriculture is behind seven percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions—that’s due to its transportation to your plate as well as fertilizer use, livestock, and electricity use. And once you include the energy and emissions embedded in the modern factory food system, that greenhouse gas percentage is closer to 30 percent. Many Austinites reduce that burden—and save money—by growing their own produce at home or in one of the city’s 18 community gardens, which cover more than 100 acres.

The Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Program (SUACG) was created by Austin City Council in 2009. The purpose is to establish a single point of contact and streamline the process for establishing community gardens and sustainable urban agriculture on city land. SUACG seeks to connect the dots between all of the efforts that make up the City of Austin’s local food system, catalyzing partnerships to build community around local food production and food security. SUACG's broader goals include providing leadership, education, policy analysis, and project development support for the City of Austin’s community-based food system.

Learn more about the City's initiative to support community gardens and urban agriculture online at the Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Program page: http://www.austintexas.gov/austingrows