There is a challenge, because (as far as I know) backyards are not currently allowed to be agricultural land, in the sense that you can't sell produce. Animal husbandry, such as small chicken coops, or having a lamb in the backyard, is not generally allowed in the city.

Questions:

- Would there be government funding, such as subsidies or grants?

- What about ESCO funding? (ESCO = Energy Service Company) A company that offers to reduce a client's utility costs, often with the cost savings being split with the client through an energy performance contract (EPC) or a shared-savings agreement. A company that specializes in managing energy and water conservation retrofit projects. The ESCo may perform any or all of the following services: auditing, developing packages of recommended measures, arranging financing, installing or overseeing installation of measures, resident and staff education, equipment commissioning, maintenance, measuring, verifying, and guaranteeing savings. Can energy savings count also as the energy saved from the transportation of food?

- What would the main kinds of food be that could be locally produced in this way?

- What would the minimum viable size be for each plot? For the rezoned land as a whole?

- Would there be any community issues around smell, noise, etc? (Think windmills - what works at a small scale may become annoying once it proliferates.)

What are the health, economic, or other concerns that the city has which cause urban backyards to be zoned in this way?

Check out the 'Your City Farmer' blog, maintained by someone who is attempting a "hundred yard diet", farming in her backyard, and blogging about it: http://yourcityfarmer.blogspot.com/

Are there models for people selling their backyard produce either at market or directly to food stores?