URBAN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIES IN GEORGIA, U.S.A. RESPOND TO OUTDOOR WATERING BAN

Urban agriculture industries of Georgia U.S.A. have flourished. These industries include businesses involved in ornamental plant production, sales, installation, maintenance, design, and allied businesses. In response to drought, most outdoor water use was prohibited in the densely populated, northern third of the state in September of 2007. This ban had an instantaneous negative impact on urban agriculture and resulted in unprecedented unification of the industry. Several professional organizations producers and service providers joined forces through the Urban Agriculture Council (UAC). With the help of the University of Georgia’s Center for Urban Agriculture, the economic impact of the outdoor watering ban on the industry was assessed. Industry-wide losses were estimated at $262,612,000 for each month of the ban and a calculated 35,000 employees faced layoff on an annual basis. The expected economic impact galvanized the industry and drew the attention of regulators and legislators, resulting in the creation of favorable legislation. A public education program was initiated to increase awareness of the benefits of urban agriculture. Despite these measures, the prolonged weakening of the economy implies a slow recovery of the urban agriculture businesses.