A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

Additionally, federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, as administered by theCalifornia Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), provide financing for thedevelopment of affordable housing throughout California, including a set aside oftax credits for farmworker housing. This is an ongoing financing source,reauthorized periodically by the federal government.Finally, at the state level, the Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Programsupports new construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of farmworker housing,either owner-occupied or rental, with priority for low-income households. As ofOctober 2003, this program had received $108 million from Proposition 46(administered by the State Housing and Community Development). Further, fundsfrom Prop 46 were provided for JSJ Migrant Housing and JSJ Housing with HealthServices with a combined allocation of $45 million.Other Farmworker Housing programs:• Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME)• State Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs)• Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Program• State Tax Credit Allocation Commission• Self-Help EnterprisesDirect Farmer AssistanceIn order to support agriculture at the urban edge, it is likely that various forms ofdirect farmer assistance will be needed, such as training for new immigrants,organic production methods, adoption of new technologies, joint marketing, orfinancial/technical support to farmers unable to make an operating profit.This type of support, which goes beyond the passive nature of an easementagreement, has generally been funded by philanthropic interests. Additionally, inkindtechnical support is given through public organizations such as the UCCooperative Extension and Sustainable Agriculture Research and EducationProgram.The USDA Farm Service Agency’s New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP)highlights a geographically specific effort for direct assistance with key linkagesbetween land, new farmers, and marketing. The USDA developed a comprehensivestrategy with a wide range of partners including Tufts University, USDA FSA,University of Massachusetts Extension, Massachusetts Department of Food andAgriculture, USDA NRCS, and several community groups and local farmers. Theinitiative drew on the available programs and resources of these institutions inorder to provide beginning farmers with full access to information and assistance tohelp them succeed in small-scale commercial agriculture. Created as a "mentorDRAFT 1.6.05 90