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Resolution Encouraging the Integration of Agriculture into Residential Development
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution promotes the integration of agricultural features into the fabric of traditional
residential neighborhoods.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
recognizes the importance of agriculture to Utah's past, present, and future;
encourages municipalities, counties, developers, and builders to be flexible and creative
in local planning to allow the integration of agriculture, including working farms,
community gardens, orchards, edible landscapes, educational spaces, and other
food-producing elements, into the fabric of traditional residential neighborhoods; and
expresses the Senate's support for incorporating agricultural principles into residential
development wherever feasible.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Senate of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, agriculture has played a foundational role in the history, economy, culture,
and identit
y of the state of Utah, contributing to food security, stewardship of land and water,
and strong rural and urban communities alike;
WHEREAS, Utah's agricultural heritage reflects values of self-reliance, community
cooperation, conservation, and respect for the land that continues to benefit residents across
the state;
WHEREAS, Utah is experiencing sustained population growth and residential
development, and some level of continued growth is inevitable to meet housing needs for
current and future residents;
WHEREAS, thoughtful planning and innovative design can allow residential growth to
occur in ways that honor Utah's agricultural roots while enhancing quality of life, community
connection, and environmental stewardship;
WHEREAS, "agrihoods" are residential developments that intentionally integrate
agriculture, including working farms, community gardens, orchards, edible landscapes,
educational spaces, or other food-producing elements into the fabric of traditional residential
neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, agrihoods may promote access to fresh food, foster community engagement,
support local agriculture, provide educational opportunities, and create distinctive, resilient
neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, agrihood principles can be applied at many scales and in many forms,
including neighborhood farms, shared garden spaces, orchards, preservation of productive
farmland, integration of agricultural uses into open space planning, and partnerships with local
farmers or agricultural organizations; and
WHEREAS, encouraging flexibility and creativity in land use planning can help
municipalities, counties, developers, and builders adapt agricultural elements to local
conditions, market realities, and community needs:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate recognizes and affirms the
importance of agriculture to the state's past, present, and future, and acknowledges the value of
incorporating agricultural principles into residential development where feasible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate encourages municipalities, counties,
developers, builders, planners, and other stakeholders to consider agrihood concepts and
agricultural integration when planning and approving new residential growth, consistent with
local goals, private property rights, and existing law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate encourages innovation and collaboration in
residential design that blends housing, open space, and agricultural uses in ways that
strengthen communities, enhance sustainability, and reflect Utah's agricultural heritage.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that nothing in this resolution is intended to create a legal
requirement, mandate, or regulatory obligation, but rather to express legislative support and
encouragement for voluntary adoption of agrihood principles and agricultural integration in
residential development.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be shared with the Utah
League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Association of Counties, the Property Rights Coalition,
and the Land Use Task Force as an expression of the Senate's awareness of, and support, for
agrihood concepts.
2-4-26 7:53 AM