Welcome to the UAC Media Center.

Here are some key facts to help you understand UAC. You may also want to visit the Latest News section on the front page to link to some of the news stories written about urban agriculture issues recently.

Definition of Urban Agriculture

Urban Agriculture is the creation, growth, introduction and management of constructed landscapes designed to support and enhance natural environmental systems and a sustainable quality of life through mitigation of land altering activity.

KEY Georgia Urban Agriculture Facts:

• Urban Agriculture is an $8 billion dollar industry in Georgia with more than 7,000 companies and 80,000 employees.
• The industry is located in every city and county in Georgia and includes every manner of landscape installation and maintenance, landscape architecture, horticultural, flori-horticulture, sod and turf production, irrigation design and installation, wholesaling, golf course management and support and many related businesses.
• Urban Agriculture plays an important role in protecting Georgia’s natural environmental systems. Lawns, ground covers, vegetation and even hardscapes are critical to managing ground water and can assist in water management and retention, filtration and purification of a watershed. Landscapes and vegetative systems also increase the urban forest, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, reduce stream pollution and provide a more aesthetically pleasing and sustainable environment.
• The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission enforces state laws that require the use of vegetation at any land disturbing activity site. For example, mulch, temporary vegetation or permanent vegetation is required on all exposed areas within 14 days after disturbance. Permanent vegetation is required if an area is left undisturbed for more than 6 months, with a requirement of 70 percent coverage by perennial vegetation.
• Outdoor watering represents the smallest portion of residential water use. According to most state water surveys, outdoor water use only accounts for 20-25 percent of all residential water use over the course of a year with indoor water use representing the other 75 to 80 percent.
• The fall planting season is a close second to spring as Georgia’s most active garden season. Moderate temperatures provide an ideal opportunity for many plants to establish a strong root system before spring and summer heat, in addition to the traditional popular selection of fall and winter garden plants.
  
  

Media needing further information should contact:

Mary Kay Woodworth, UAC President, Executive Director of the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association, 770-359-7337
Randy Lewis, Fitzpatrick & Lewis Public Relations, 404-843-8228 or
678-596-5589