A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

Scale/ParcelizationThe Ranch consists of 195 acres of sensitive riparian wetland, upland grassland,Maritime Chaparral, and cultivated cropland ranging from 10’-320’ elevation.Nearly one mile of Carneros Creek (the primary freshwater tributary to the ElkhornSlough) runs through the lowland area. Crops are grown on 67 acres and includestrawberries, raspberries, zucchini, cucumbers, cut flowers, chilacayota (zebrasquash), corn, beans, mixed vegetables and artichokes. These crops are growndue to their suitability to the climate and soil, as well as their market opportunities.Tenure/ManagementAs mentioned above, through a partnership with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation,California Coastal Conservancy and the Packard Foundation, the Triple M Ranch waspurchased by the Association for Community Based Education (a Washington, DCbased non-profit organization) in 2000, with a vision to develop it into a trainingcenter and incubator based on the Rural Development Center model, but focusedon established farmers. In 2001 ALBA began to manage the property under aManagement Agreement, and in 2003 ownership was transferred from ACBE toALBA.Approximately 67 acres are cultivable under the terms of the Natural Resource andAgricultural Easement. This easement stipulates that agriculture can only takeplace within the designated parcels, and the remainder is only to be used to restoreand conserve its natural resources. Land is leased to participant farmers throughan annual lease agreement. Currently there are 10 tenant farmers on parcelsranging from 1-10 acres.Common Infrastructure and AmenitiesALBA offers a wide range of common infrastructure to its tenant farmers at theFTRC, as well as to other area farmers that are interested in the numerouseducational opportunities available. Some of the infrastructure and amenitiesinclude, but are not limited to:• Farmer Educationo Course Offerings include:• Farm Water Quality• Direct Marketing• Drip Irrigation• Integrated Pest Management• Furrow Arrangement and Grass Road Seeding• Technical Assistance• Water and Irrigation• Tractors• Barn storageDRAFT 1.6.05 78