Utah State University (USU) Extension provides outreach and technical assistance to urban and small acreage producers to help operations navigate local environmental and urbanization challenges. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Utah was the fastest-growing U.S. state from 2010 to 2020. Most urban development is concentrated along Utah's I-15 corridor, known as the Wasatch Front, which is sandwiched between major mountain ranges. Salt Lake County is Utah's most densely populated county, and in 2020, it housed 36% of Utah's total population (U.S. Census Bureau 202 0). Land acquisition is a significant concern for local producers due to high land costs and population density (‰ˆ 1,600 people/square mile). The USDA Census (NASS 2017) reported that most farms (66%) were between 1 and 9 acres and therefore most producers in Salt Lake County farm or graze small acreages that interface residential communities. Salt Lake County has an arid climate and low annual participation rate (34 cm) so supplemental irrigation is essential to sustain many landscape plants (Kopp et al. 2013). Rapid urbanization has strengthened local interest in the preservation of remaining farms and grazing lands. For example, Salt Lake County government developed an urban farming initiative that explore s opportunities to lease County-owned land parcels to local agriculture operators. In 202 3, a private landowner/leaser contacted USU Extension seeking assistance to enhance the environmental function of the property. The 5,000 square meter parcel could legally house up to 6 horses and was surrounded by adjacent wetlands that ultimately drained into an area watershed. Extension worked with the client to develop an urban interface plan, design a rotational grazing pasture system, and address soil management and water quality concerns. Key takeaways from this case study illustrate ways Extension can work with small acreage operators in urbanized areas to enhance sustainable management and environmental stewardship of fragmented agricultural landscapes.
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