A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

SONOMA COUNTYLaguna Farm 80-acre 3 rdgeneration farm inSebastopolSAN MATEO COUNTYProperties owned by and/orwith agriculturalconservation easementswith the Peninsula OpenSpace Trust (POST):Johnston Ranch, RanchoCorale de Tierra in Montara,Cloverdale Ranch nearPigeon Point.SiteCascade Ranch HistoricFarm (CRHF) 418-acre farmis a state historic site and isowned and operated by anonprofit.Elkus Youth Ranch, a 600-acre property 5 miles southof Half Moon Bay, donatedto UC and operated as aneducational/conferencefacilitySANTA CLARA COUNTYMartial Cottle Park. ~290-acre farm in incorporatedSan Jose, donated by theLester family to the SantaClara County Parks andRecreation Department(SCCPRD)Farm operator is seeking ideas for overall business structuresthat will unify the multiple enterprises and sub- leasescurrently in effect on the farm. This property was identified bySteve Schwartz, ED of California FarmLink, as one of severalpotential sites in Sonoma County.These sites were proposed by POST as well suited to theAgParks planning framework. However, all of these sitesrequire a several year planning horizon, since they arevariously complicated by limited water (an issue facing muchof the San Mateo County coast and currently in negotiation),unfinished planning, and/or interest on the part of a currentPOST tenant farmer in expanding operations into the site.StatusCRHF offers an opportunity to combine active farming, historicpreservation, environmental and agricultural education, andhabitat protection. There is interest in the potential of anAgPark, with a primary market being ag tourism that isdeveloping on the coast. However, such a use would requireresolution of the problem of insufficient water, which plaguesthe current farming operation, and would compromise otheruses such as AgParks.This facility would like to expand educational offerings but hasa shrinking budget. There is some interest in exploring theinclusion of an AgPark.The donation agreement requires the inclusion of a publichistoric agricultural park. Additional allowable uses include:agricultural leases, farmers’ market, produce stands,educational programs related to agriculture, and passiverecreational uses such as picnic facilities. The SCCPRDsupports an AgParks feasibility study as an element that canbe incorporated into the park master plan, which willcommence in a year or so.DRAFT 1.6.05 25