Integrating Agriculture into the Landscape

Priority Actions:

Landowner Equity | Tax Issues | New Development | Rural Communities

RURAL COMMUNITIES:

Conclusion: Need to find better ways to address the problems and needs of rural communities. Rural communities are often built around nodes of agriculture production and services. These communities provide important economic contributions to the state; have a unique character and valued quality of life; and contain many important natural values, including open space, wildlife habitats, wetlands, and water recharge areas. However, state and federal policies currently are not sensitive enough to the problems and challenges faced by rural areas..

Suggested Actions: Here are several ways in which these issues might be addressed:

Need rural development policies that reflect the needs and unique characteristics of rural communities, and avoid forcing urban development patterns on rural areas.

Need to "consider the needs of rural and low income communities as Everglades restoration progresses." This should include:

"a review of farm worker housing needs and recommendations for alleviating farm worker housing shortages.

"Guiding the appropriate use of land impacting the Everglades ecosystem.

"Enhancing sustainable and environmentally compatible development that sustains the regional economy and supports and healthy Everglades ecosystem.

"Creating sustainable agricultural programs compatible with Everglades ecosystem restoration and protection.

"Allocating natural resources to support natural and human systems."

Recommendations:

Who: The Governor's Office, working through the Governor's Commission for the Everglades.
What: Need statewide effort. The Governor's Office, working through the Governor's Commission for the Everglades, should develop recommendations for federal, state and local officials to enhance the quality of rural communities and better address the problems and challenges of rural communities.

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