HOUSTON FOOD POLICY WORKGROUP

February 10, 2010 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Houston Tomorrow office, downstairs conference room

Participants:

Bridget Jensen

Jay Crossley, Houston Tomorrow

Liz Dominguez, UT Houston School of Public Health

Jessica Kirk, Recipe for Success

Penny Cureton, University of Houston Downtown

Jerome Peters, Horticulture Committee of Austin County

Molly White, Recipe for Success

Helen Smiley, Mid-South Natural Organic Farms, Inc.

Barry Browne, producer

Shawn McFarland, Urban Harvest, Transition Houston

Thomas Winebarger

Kelly Porter, Prairie View Economic Development Corp.

Vilas Bhuchar, Houston Tomorrow

Cecelia McDonald, Eating for Peace

Edgar Burgaletu, Eating for Peace

Mary Kelleher, National Catholic Rural Life Conference

Laurel Smith, Urban Harvest, Houston Urban Gardeners

Christy Rice, Central City Co-Op, BFF Ventures

Janet Lane, Harris Co. Public Health and Environmental Services

Jon Boyd, Citizens Transportation Coalition

Mark Bowen, Urban Harvest

Dr. Gary Underwood, Harris County Appraisal District

Sharon Siehl, Recipe for Success

Jacquie Miller

Announcements

Jay announced that the executive committee has assigned its members responsibilities, as follows:

Co-chairs: Jay Blazek Crossley and Sharon Siehl

Research: Laurel Smith

Grants: Helen Smiley

Assessment/Food Guide: Penny Cureton

Secretary and Co-Outreach: Jacquie Miller

Co-Outreach: Ray Sher or other Urban Harvest designee

Agricultural Exemptions for Small Operations

Jay introduced Dr. Gary Underwood, who heads the section of the Harris County Appraisal District dealing with agricultural property tax exemptions, or, in more correct terminology, alternative valuations.

Dr. Underwood explained that under an alternative valuation, a property owner pays property tax on the productivity value of the land rather than its market value. This type of valuation was first authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1966 for those making a living from farming. The applicability was expanded in 1978, in part by adding timber-related income. In 2002, wildlife management was added.

In Harris County, 30% of our land is used for agricultural activities. Harris is a very large county; every year 5000 to 10,00 acres are converted to housing. The county contains 120,000 acres of native pasture and 40,000 acres of timber.

Dr. Underwood said that the enabling legislation specifically says that home gardens do not qualify property for an alternative valuation. Right now, the smallest acreage used for growing vegetables that qualifies is 5 acres. However, a parcel of less than 5 acres might qualify if you can show that you are selling produce. Each county develops their own intensity standards: how much land is involved, how much income must be generated. Leased property is eligible for alternative valuations.

A more straightforward way to qualify a parcel is to deed restrict it, generally for a period of at least 10 years. Conservation easements can also be used.

In general, the county appraisal district has some discretion in determining what property can qualify for an alternative valuation. Dr. Underwood urges anyone who has a question about what is possible to contact him directly: Dr. Gary Underwood at or 713-812-5881. He is also willing to meet with groups who are interested in this issue.

Food Stamps in Farmers Markets

When Central City Coop submitted a grant application to get assistance with this, we put it on our back burner. However, Central City did not get the grant, and the need still exists, perhaps greater than ever. Should we take this up as a priority? Central City Coop is convening a subcommittee to try to create a coalition of interested individuals and groups to deal with this. The first meeting will be held on February 23. Contact Christy Rice at .

University of Houston Downtown Sustainability Efforts

Penny Cureton is the executive director of special projects in the president’s office; the University of Houston Downtown’s sustainability efforts fall within her purview. These include:

-hosting an environmental summit

-adding a degree in urban ecology

-offering a solar cooking workshop

-working within the institution to find ways to lessen driving (UHD is a 100% commuter institution, with an average one-way commute of 18.8 miles.)

-securing environmentally-friendly landscaping

-increasing recycling efforts for paper and plastic

-creating a donation and demonstration garden in adjacent, unused city park

Submitted by:

Jacquie Miller

March 2, 2010