Why Farm Housing on Public Land Matters for Boulder’s Local Food System
Do you know that we–residents of Boulder and Boulder County– collectively own thousands of acres of public land that is actively managed by local agriculture? These public lands are managed by Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) in the City of Boulder and both the land and the City play an important role in keeping agriculture alive in one of the most expensive farming regions in the country. The City of Boulder manages the working land itself, as well as the existing homes and farm infrastructure on this public asset. In Boulder County, where housing costs are among the highest in Colorado, access to farm housing can make or break whether farming is viable at all.
On March 11, the Open Space and Mountain Parks Board of Trustees will review a staff recommendation to sell the Hodges Property, which has been farmed under lease by local producer Lynn Shanahan. This farm property includes both working land and a home, which is currently occupied by agricultural workers. Boulder County Farmers Markets opposes the disposal of the Hodges Property. Just as importantly, we encourage a reimagining of how we utilize publicly owned land with existing housing and farm infrastructure to better support agricultural producers in our community.
We know that publicly owned agricultural land is one of the few pathways available for farmers—especially beginning and next-generation producers— to access land in Boulder County. When agricultural properties or farm residences are removed or disposed of, the community permanently loses the infrastructure that supports local food production. On-farm housing allows our local farmers and ranchers to:
- Care for crops and livestock daily
- Respond quickly to weather events, irrigation issues, or emergencies
- Reduce long commutes and transportation emissions
- Make long-term investments in soil health and land stewardship
- Maintain agricultural labor and grow the next generation of local food producers
As building costs rise, zoning becomes increasingly restrictive, and farmer and farmerworker housing remains scarce, we have a unique opportunity in Boulder and Boulder County. Healthy local agriculture depends on more than land, soil, and water — it also depends on people being able to safely and affordably live near the land they steward. As community members and part of a coalition supporting local agriculture, we are asking an important question: how can public open space continue to support working farms while also meeting goals around conservation, climate resilience, and community benefit?
We are lucky to have City partners committed to encouraging sustainable food production practices, equitable access to healthy food, and regional efforts to create a strong and resilient food system. We need to extend this vision to our working lands’ housing and other infrastructure. These are public resources that can help build a resilient local food future, if managed in partnership with farmers and ranchers.
How You Can Help
Community members who want to learn more or participate can:
- Follow updates from the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees
- Write to the Open Space and Mountain Parks Board of Trustees to voice your opinion on the Hodges property and sign up to give comment at the March 11th meeting
- Stay connected through BCFM newsletters as this conversation evolves
Local food systems depend on long-term stewardship — of land, infrastructure, and the people who steward our working lands through agriculture.
Why BCFM Is Paying Attention
At Boulder County Farmers Markets, our mission is to build a thriving local food system that uplifts agricultural producers and nourishes our neighbors for generations to come. We know that a thriving local food system requires both vision and infrastructure. Policies that affect farmland access, farm viability, and agricultural infrastructure directly influence the farmers who grow food for our markets and our community. BCFM’s role is to help share information, elevate farmer perspectives, and encourage thoughtful community dialogue about how public land can best support agriculture now and in the future.
