Austin may promote the creation of more 'agrihoods.' What are they?

Just a few miles away from the glistening buildings that tower over Austin’s downtown is Green Gate Farms. There, in a particularly lush part of east Austin, a community of people grow fresh vegetables, produce and flowers. 

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just a few miles away from the glistening buildings that tower over Austin’s downtown is Green Gate Farms. There, in a particularly lush part of east Austin, a community of people grow fresh vegetables, produce and flowers. 

“My husband and I started Green Gate Farms in 2006,” cofounder Erin Flynn said. “We're one of the few certified organic farms in Texas,” she said. “What makes this farm so amazing is that it's historic. It was built by Swedish immigrants in 1902.” 

The fact that it’s historic isn’t the only thing that makes the farm “amazing,” Flynn said. The farm is also something called an “agrihood”  – a community that integrates agriculture into its residential developments.

“If you don't have access to good food, you don't have good health, and you don't have happiness,” Flynn said. “This kind of design, where you have an environment built to be beautiful, resilient, and natural – it just makes people happy and makes sense.” 

Austin City Council might consider promoting the development of agrihoods akin to Green Gate Farms in northeast Austin. City council will vote Thursday to move forward with a recommendation that the city manager explore the feasibility of these communities in the area.

District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison said the city manager will likely come back with his reporting on the possibility of agrihoods in northeast Austin, Harper-Madison’s district, by February 2025. 

“What it is that we're looking to bring to the city of Austin, in mass larger scale are the developments where the centrally located farm is a working farm, worked by professional farmers using professional farm equipment, producing real dollars by way of growing and selling produce in the city of Austin,” Harper-Madison said, 

Supporters of these developments said they offer affordable housing and food security, foster sustainable living and promote community well-being. 

“I think as we talk about affordability, something to always keep in mind is that everything that it takes to survive as a human being costs money,” Harper-Madison said. “Being able to take away the necessity for covering the cost of things like food and [transportation] means you have more to work with.”

Flynn told KXAN she was excited Austin City Council was taking up this agenda item as she thinks more people should have the opportunity to live like she does at Green Gate Farms. 

“These neighborhoods are resilient and they're beautiful. They're nature-focused, and we don't have enough of them,” she said. "Especially for people seeking affordable housing – we've got to make this concept available to everyone because it's a beautiful way to live."