Urban Agriculture Policy Making in New York's New Political Spaces Strategizing for a Participatory and Representative System

U.S. cities have implemented policies to support urban agriculture (UA), often developed in new political spaces formed when conventional policy mechanisms are unable to resolve municipal problems. This article examines these processes in New York City, particularly aspects of UA that existing policies, plans, and research strategies have not fully addressed. Interviews with UA stakeholders and an analysis of the city's UA policy-making processes show that resource needs, along with race- and class-based disparities within the UA system remain. We recommend several policy and research strategies for creating a more participatory, representative, and multifunctional UA system.