A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

information about each site included (survey instrument in Appendix). However,the exact locations of the sites were not identified to the survey respondents, toprotect the privacy of the current landowners.Surveys were distributed by SAGE, ALBA andCalifornia FarmLink to their farmer constituents,including: UC Cooperative Extension CountyDirectors for Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alamedaand San Benito Counties; West Oakland FoodProject; and UCSC Agro-ecology ApprenticeshipProgram (to be distributed to current and formerapprentices). For specific audiences, surveyswere translated into Spanish. A total of 12responses to the second wave survey were obtained.Survey ResultsFirst Wave Survey ResultsFarmer respondents are committed to making their living as independent farmers.• 85% of respondents stated that farming was their primary occupation.• 70% of respondents stated that farming was their primary source of income.• 80% of respondents do not supplement their farm income with off-farm sources– these can be considered full time farmers.• All respondents identified with at least one of the following farmerclassifications, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:o Specialty Crop Producerso Limited Resource Farmerso Small Farmerso Traditionally Underserved Farmerso Socially Disadvantaged Farmerso Aspiring/Beginning Farmers• More than 60% of respondents have 10 or more years of farming experience.• The average farming experience among respondents was 10+ years.Respondents are currently farming 1 to 200 acres• 56% are farming 10 acres or less.• 15% are farming 11-100 acres.• 29% are farming 101-200 acres.• The vast majority of respondents uses sustainable practices (including organicand integrated pest management) and sells through direct marketing outlets(such as farmers markets, direct to retail, farm stands, restaurants, institutionsand CSAs).The respondents expressed strong support for the idea of an AgParkDRAFT 1.6.05 19