Unlike many communities across the country where development has spread outward without limits, Lexington, Ky., has long sought to grow inward while protecting the surrounding countryside through its Urban Service Boundary. For the last 20 years, the Fayette Alliance has been at the forefront of supporting that delicate balance between achieving sustainable growth and preserving the farmland in Lexington-Fayette County along with serving as a resource for land-use advocacy, education, and research.A nonprofit organization, Fayette Alliance was formed by community members on May 2, 2006, in response to pressing local land-use and growth issues that threatened to infringe upon the expansive farmland that makes the Bluegrass so unique.“Others and I felt it was too important to the community not to have a full-time lobbying organization that would try to direct intelligent land use,” said Don Robinson, an original founding board member and current board chair of Fayette Alliance, and the owner of Winter Quarter Farm. “The formation [of Fayette Alliance] came on the heels of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan [for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government], which sparked a lot of tension about expansion.“The pillars of Fayette Alliance are agriculture interests, equine interests, and existing neighborhood interests, because existing neighborhoods are so often neglected to allow for new expansion. That's really how it all began.”Supported by the Fayette Alliance, the opposition won out in 2006 with the Planning Commission ultimately ruling against proposals for expansion of the Urban Service Area. It was a pivotal moment for the burgeoning nonprofit that has since expanded in elevating, informing, and influencing local conversations around land use, housing, and growth through research-based advocacy.“Our founders were very clear from the outset that we had to be based in research and data, and we have stood on that since its inception. It's part of why I was drawn to the organization too, as a lawyer, because we want our advocacy and educational efforts to be driven by objective data. We make sure we're advocating for what the community believes is right, what they want to see, but also what the data tells us is the best thing for our people,” said Brittany Roethemeier, who has served as the executive director of Fayette Alliance since 2019. “We have to go above and beyond to tell the story of why growing in a responsible way while also protecting the farmland that surrounds us makes economic sense, as well as makes sense from a cultural identity standpoint.”Former Fayette Alliance executive directors Knox van Nagell, Susan Speckert, co-founder and current board chair Don Robinson, and current executive director Brittany Roethemeier | Matt MalicoteWith a team consisting of five staff members, Fayette Alliance has funded over 13 research projects and impacted approximately 150 policies through advocacy with the support of more than 2,000 unique donors. Employing independent studies, public opinion research, and policy analysis, the work of Fayette Alliance has helped to inform planning efforts while also educating residents and decision-makers alike.“We've been very effective because we always use data and that's why it's been so rewarding, knowing we always speak the truth,” said Robinson. “Over the years we've done a lot of careful polling, and I think that's part of the reason why we've been successful in supporting what resonates with the community. They love the green space, whether they're involved in it or not, and all of that is hugely important to the identity of this community.“Fayette Alliance has helped to make the greater community aware of how important this land is for the agriculture industry, tourism, and beyond, and I think that's probably our greatest accomplishment.”Fayette Alliance launched the Grow Smart Academy in 2010 to provide a free educational program for members of the community to learn about land-use planning and its relationships to economic development, environment, and quality of life in the area.“We have educated hundreds of community members through that program. We bring in local and national experts to speak on issues that range from the importance of agriculture to sustainability, transportation, affordable housing, and really everything in between, because all of these things are related,” said Roethemeier.Since its inception, Fayette Alliance has regularly reviewed and weighed in on zone-change requests that could introduce commercial or industrial uses into protected rural areas, along with repeatedly opposing development proposals that would fragment farmland, all the while advocating for infill—the rededication of land in an urban environment to new construction—in order to keep development from spreading into the area's unique green space.Horses grazing in Lexington | Sarah Andrew“It's never been a question of 'if we grow,' but instead it's a question of 'how we grow.' Through the leadership and stewardship of our founding members, the Fayette Alliance has tirelessly advocated, through research and community education, for the uniqueness of our irreplaceable farmland balanced against the needs of our dynamic city and surroundings,” said Jimmy Bell, a longtime Fayette Alliance board member. “Building this symbiotic relationship over the years has earned Fayette Alliance a seat at the table of City Hall and in the council chambers as a trusted and informed voice of reason when discussing land use matters.”In 2024, Fayette Alliance commissioned a research study, titled “Grow Smart: Land Use Analysis and Recommendations,” to gain a better understanding of the land available for development inside Lexington's Urban Service Boundary. The study revealed that approximately 5,000 acres of vacant and undeveloped land remained inside the boundary, with roughly 3,500 acres zoned for housing development and approximately 1,300 acres zoned for economic development.“There is continuous pressure for development as time goes on. We must remain vigilant and engaged. As we continue to support our farmland, we can't lose sight of this incredible factory floor being the most priceless asset we have. It's unique, it's finite, and it's our present, past, and future,” said Bell. “Maintaining a steady voice and a comprehensive presence at City Hall with key decision makers is critical to preserving our future.”Fayette Alliance remains a steadfast supporter of Lexington's Urban Service Boundary which stands as one of the city's most effective planning tools, advocating for the maintenance of a clear distinction between urban and rural land. This not only helps to preserve the Bluegrass landscape but also directs investment back into existing neighborhoods and land already zoned for development.“The community's involvement in local politics is absolutely essential. People can make a difference in their community if they're willing to,” said Roethemeier. “Policy, which can dictate our quality of life, is made at the local level. Having the willingness to get involved at the local level can ensure our community continues to benefit from this wonderful city that we have.”Former Fayette Alliance executive director Knox van Nagell | Matt MalicoteGrowth isn't just inevitable, it's necessary. Yet when it comes to ensuring the longevity of the farmland that makes the heart of the Bluegrass so unique, with expansive pastures grown upon limestone-rich soils that stand as the foundation for the 'Horse Capitol of the World,' sustainable growth is the only option. This requires careful planning, informed advocacy, and people willing to speak on behalf of the long-term interests of the community, which is the role Fayette Alliance has served for the last two decades and plans to continue doing for decades to come.At a Fayette Alliance event held in mid-June to celebrate the organization's milestone of 20 years, Knox van Nagell—Fayette Alliance's first executive director who served from 2006 to 2016—summed it up best.“Our land is precious. God is not making any more of it. We're a product of the land,” she said. “We come from it and we go back there. It's enduring. Because the land endures and our connection to it, so too must the fighting.”To learn more about the Fayette Alliance, click here.The post Growing Smart, Protecting Forever: Fayette Alliance Celebrates 20 Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.