Encouraging local agriculture

From an economic perspective, if the Roaring Fork Valley were to make a paradigm shift away from it's reliance on construction, real estate development, recreation and ranching how important are greenhouses and community supported farms? As the economics of food change will local farming take the place of, or subsidize, ranching and our other forms of livelihood? As outlined previously, an operation such as Peach Valley CSA or Sustainable Settings will have distinctly different requirements than the homeowner who simply wants to grow some of their own fresh vegetables or animal protein. With our abundance of open space, sunshine and access to irrigation water we have a uniquely favorable situation. A strong community vision (or local food growing master plan) together with the appropriate regulations, incentives and zoning guidelines to support that vision will be key to the success of community-supported agriculture. Is there a consensus?

Greenhouse Committee - Suggestions for regulating greenhouses

Our Pitkin County Planning Office is anxious to receive some word of our deliberations regarding recommendations for Greenhouse Regulations for Pitkin County. I confess to being a tardy leader, but I would like to get our discussion started. All of you except Brook and Chris (both of whom I have issued re-invitations) are signed on as Authors on the Blog:
http://pitkingreenhouses.blogspot.com/
First, a brief statement of facts regarding greenhouses (barns) in Pitkin County:
In ANY Zone, you may have as large a greenhouse as your floor-area-ration allows;
If you have 20 acres or more, you may have, in ADDITION to your floor area ratio, 58 SF per acre, in barn/greenhouse floor area BEYOND your floor area ratio;