This document summarizes agricultural production and food systems in Orange County, Florida. It finds that while agriculture contributes $269.9 million annually, farms are small and scattered. The top crops are nursery, citrus, beef, and other animals. There is some urban agriculture but most farmland is planned for development. The county has 47 food manufacturers and 122 distributors, though connections between production, processing and distribution are limited. The document recommends adding food-related uses and districts to zoning codes to better connect residents to local food.

1. Food Production Research and Zoning Code Changes

2. Agriculture in Florida
 Part of the state’s three
legged economic stool
 47,500 commercial farms, using
a total of 9.25 million acres
 Ranks 2nd in the production
value of vegetables and
greenhouse & nursery products
 Ranks 7th in agricultural exports
with $3.1 billion
 Accounts for 65 % of total U.S.
citrus production

3. About Orange County
 Urban County
 Service Economy
 Weather
 Farm Buyouts
 Development
Pressures

4. Purpose of the Project
 Examine County’s food
production sector
 Overview of agricultural
industry
 Map distribution of
agricultural land
 Identify food processing &
distribution uses
 Find connections between
these industries

5. Data Sources and Methodology
 2007 USDA
Agricultural Census
 Department of
Revenue (DOR)
codes
 InfoUSA business
database
 Historical
Documents

6. 2007 Agricultural Census
 Total Value of Agriculture
was $269.9 million
 Small Farms Predominate
 Top Agricultural Products
 Nursery & Floriculture
 Fruit Trees (Citrus)
 Beef Cattle & Ranching
 Other Animal Production

7. Distribution of Agricultural Land by DOR Code

8. Urban Agriculture
 15,000 Acres of
Agricultural Land
within County USA
 40 percent of land is
within Planned
Developments
 Most land is
classified Pasture or
Timber

9. Food Processing
 47 Food
Manufacturing
Operations
 Other Food
 Bakeries
 Confection/Beverages
 Animal/Sea Food
 Fruit and Vegetable

10. Wholesale Distribution
 122 Food
Distribution
Operations
 Other Food
 Dairy and Frozen
Foods
 Fruit & Vegetables
 Meat and Sea Food

11. Food Systems Connections
 Food production is
heavily influenced by
service economy
 There is not a strict
connection between
agriculture and food
processing &
distribution industries
 Small agglomerations in
West Orange County

12. Opportunities to Foster Connections
 People want access to
fresh food and to be
closer to their food
sources
 Orange County had two
“food” zoning cases during
the past three years
 Farmers’ Markets are
increasing in popularity
 New zoning code in the
works

13. Food Zoning Paper
 Examined how food
production and food access
uses are incorporated in
the zoning codes of several
jurisdictions across the
United States by
specifically focusing on:
 Use definitions,
 Allowed zoning districts,
 Specific use standards

14. Proposed Recommendations
 Add use terms like urban agriculture,
community gardens, and farmers’ markets
to the Orange County Zoning Code
 Avoid animal husbandry uses
 Staff is still discussing the appropriate urban
zoning districts where to put food uses and
the specific standards for each use