A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

farmland, offering a below market price to encourage business development andinnovation on the part of farmers. ALBA receives funding from a diverse group ofgovernment and private donors interested in agricultural viability, environmentalprotection, social equity and economic development. ALBA also generates incomethrough its land leasing and produce distribution.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 RDC cannot provide long term or permanent accessto land for farmers. As such, the concept of an urban edge agricultural parkrepresents a potential alternative for ALBA farmers who are seeking long-termaccess or purchase of agricultural land.DRAFT 1.6.05 82