A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

• “ALBA Organics” distribution and marketing assistancePracticesAt the request of tenant farmers, the majority of the cultivable land at the FTRC isin transition to organic certification. In addition, ALBA is in the process of restoring15 acres of wetland and 10 acres of upland habitat with the assistance ofpartnership organizations. The synergy of environmental, university, and naturalresource professionals enables ALBA to teach, implement and research agriculturaland conservation best management practices.EconomicsIn June of 2003, ALBA assumed the seller financed mortgage associated with theFarm Training & Research Center, of approximately $245,000. ALBA currentlycharges between $700-800 an acre per year to its tenant farmers, offering a belowmarket price to encourage innovation and risk-taking on the part of farmers. ALBAreceives funding from a diverse group of government and private donors interestedin agricultural viability, environmental protection, social equity and economicdevelopment. ALBA also generates income through its land leasing and producedistribution.Lessons LearnedDue to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area, ALBA participants have goodaccess to markets for their products. ALBA and its participant farmers maintainclose ties to the local community through its Community Support AgricultureProgram (CSA), by hosting thousands of school children and university studentseach year, and by serving as a demonstration and research site in collaborationwith universities, community colleges, non profit organizations and governmentagencies.As an incubator, the FTRC cannot provide long term or permanent access to landfor farmers. As such, the concept of an urban edge agricultural park represents apotential alternative for ALBA farmers who are seeking long-term access orpurchase of agricultural land.DRAFT 1.6.05 79