New panel could boost Des Moines' urban farming

Catch up fast: The task force was staffed by Des Moines' sustainability office, which was dismantled in January as part of a budget decision.

• If approved, the new committee would have oversight through the city's economic development staff.

Zoom in: The FSAC would run indefinitely, with members recommending policies on issues such as land use or access to the council, according to Monday's council recommendation.

Context: Expanding land access through initiatives such as edible plantings in rights-of-way was a goal of the task force.

What they're saying: The previous work made it easier to access information about food resources and helped further develop Drake Park's public orchard, Ed Fallon, a former state representative from DSM who helped establish the initial task force in 2020, tells Axios.

• Kathy Byrnes, Fallon's wife and founder of Birds & Bees Urban Farm, tells Axios that the hope is for the FSAC to help expand the work.

The bottom line: DSM is doubling down on local food solutions — reviving sustainability efforts to help more residents grow, share and eat what's produced in their neighborhoods.