ST LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The St. Louis County Council approved a $3.2 million investment tonight to support urban farms in North County, despite some pushback.

Sponsored by Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, County Bill 54 will fund farming initiatives at Rustic Roots Sanctuary in Spanish Lake and benefit a network of farmers throughout the area.

The goal is to improve food access and strengthen local food systems in underserved areas for all age groups. 

Rustic Roots has donated over 31,000 pounds of produce and plans to build a Harvest Hub, expand to assist six farms, and create an “Agri-Village” for housing and training.

Webb said it’s the first time the county has directly funded farmers.

Some questioned the legality and oversight of the funding and the oversight of the bill, but Webb defended it as a precedent-setting move to fight food insecurity through community-based solutions.

All seven councilmembers voted to pass the bill.