Bedner Farms demonstrates that innovative land use policies and site design can achieve a symbiotic balance between natural, agricultural and built environments. This was achieved by Land Design Services leading a collaborative effort between government agencies and community groups to set new rules and regulations to create a first of its kind ‘land use’ that centers on agri-tourism and sustainable agriculture practices.
Sustainable agriculture is a way of producing food that is healthy to eat, doesn’t harm the environment, creates a safe workplace, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer and promotes a more intimate involvement with food purchases, encouraging consumers to interact with those who cultivate, grow and ultimately sell the produce.
Through unique land use policy changes, Bedner Farms has been able to create an experience that preserves valuable agricultural land, provides educational opportunities to the community, and ensures the viability of their farming practice for future generations.