A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

ConclusionsThis project identified numerous general opportunities for integrating Ardenwood’smission of offering education, farmland preservation, and a non-urban communityresource, with the Project’s goal to help smallfarmers to gain access to affordable land andbuild local markets. These opportunities include:increasing connections with new school-basedfood systems and education initiatives; buildingon demand for specialty ethnic foods from thediverse local community; exploring partnershipswith local horticultural and business enterpriseprograms; and addressing needs for connectingwith and expanding on local recreational trails.Developing an AgPark element at Ardenwood would also present significantchallenges. These include: security issues; infrastructure requirements, particularlythe development of a new irrigation system; requirements for additionalmanagement when current staff is already at or over capacity; and lack of funds fordeveloping and marketing new project elements. Further assessment of these andother opportunities and challenges, quantification of demand from potential newfarmers, and the development of a preliminary management plan, arerecommended for Phase 2 of the Agricultural Parks project.DRAFT 1.6.05 51