Merit Award
The ABC’s of
Let’s Grow Somerville: Educational series Urban Agriculture: Rules, recommendations & resources
Com mu ni ca t i on s
Luisa Oliveria
project name
location.
Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Initiative
Somerville, Massachusetts
In August 2012, Somerville became the first municipality in
Massachusetts to pass an Urban Agriculture Ordinance.
The regulations legitimize agricultural practices,
prevent conflict, and create a network of local food
sources. The City has since embarked on an innovative
communications strategy aimed at both making a
complex set of regulations understandable and
fostering a community of urban growers. Through
print, video, and social media, as well as an educational
series and flourishing container garden on the steps
of City Hall, the Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Initiative
encourages the growing of food at every scale in the
densest city in New England.
The Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Initiative complements
existing efforts to promote healthy living city-wide.
With the presence of the Shape Up Somerville (SUS)
program, the extension to local agriculture was logical.
In addition to health issues, the move toward local
Somerville Loves Urban Gardening
food addresses cli