A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

in addition to herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants. Crops are grown due to theirsuitability to the climate and soils, as well as their marketing opportunities.Participants have collective access to agricultural and irrigation equipment,greenhouse space, technical assistance on production issues, as well as tomarketing and post harvest handling advice, cooling facilities, and producedistribution services through ALBA Organics.Tenure/ManagementThe land is owned by ALBA and is leased to farmers on a yearly contract. ALBA hasapproximately eight employees that provide technical assistance and managementsupport. The land is certified “Organic” under the ALBA name through CaliforniaCertified Organic Farmers (CCOF), but certification is maintained individually by thefarmers.Common Infrastructure and AmenitiesALBA offers a wide range of common infrastructure and amenities at the RDC for itsstudents and farmers. Some of these include, but are not limited to:• Education and training programs, including a formal education program inorganic production and farm management (a 6 month hands-on course) forbeginning farmers;• On-farm technical assistance;• Demonstration of production methods and crop research in the field (fieldtrials/conservation practices);• Water and irrigation equipment;• Tractors and other agricultural equipment;• Shop for repair and storage of equipment;• Post harvest equipment, Cooler and Storage Access;• Agricultural Tourism opportunities;• Opening new markets for produce and organizational development (saleseducation);• “ALBA Organics” distribution and marketing assistance.PracticesAgricultural practices focus on organic and sustainable production methods thatprovide for the economic viability of farmers as well as ecosystem health.EconomicsALBA owns the property, although there is a Mortgage Agreement (lien) in theamount of $1 million placed on the property by the Economic DevelopmentAdministration (U.S. Department of Commerce) due to funding provided forconstruction of a resource center, shop and cooling facility. This lien will be lifted in2024. ALBA currently charges between $200 and $1000 an acre per year forDRAFT 1.6.05 81