Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Strategy CM-2. Support sustainable and accessible local production and consumption. Supporting environmentally responsible production of goods and food locally—in or around Ashland— is beneficial because it eliminates the emissions associated with shipping goods to the city and gives the City greater influence over sustainable production practices. PRIORITY ACTIONS CM-2-1. Partner with nonprofit organizations to promote the purchase of local food and products. One way the City can support sustainable local food production is to work with independent organizations to showcase and support cli - mate-friendly retailers and products. The City could work with systems such as the Ashland School District, Southern Oregon University, and Asante Ashland Community Hospital to incorporate “climate-friendly first” food pur - chasing.CM-2-2. Expand community gardening and urban agriculture opportunities. Increasing the land and resources available for local agriculture can help satisfy a portion of the city’s demand for food, reducing the quantity of food that must be imported from outside the region. “Greening” public spaces can have numerous co-benefits, too, including offset - ting the urban heat island effect and providing garden space to those who do not have yards. The City could work to expand existing local food programs at community gardens, schools, parks, and rooftops , such as by encouraging farms to work directly with organizations such as churches or schools to provide communi - ty-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. OTHER ACTIONS • Consider climate change-related risks to local supply chains in implementation of the economic development strategy. • Work with nonprofits and universities to create outreach and training materials about agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase diversity and drought resistance.C MiC Mi Ad 75 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANCONSUMPTION & MATERIALS MANAGEMENTASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN