Is agriculture the new golf?

Converting Golf Courses to Farms:

Context, Models and Approaches

North Livermore Community Alliance

April 20, 2016 Livermore, CA

Sibella Kraus, Sustainable Agriculture Education

Mission

SAGE revitalizes agricultural places near

cities where farming and local food culture can

thrive and be celebrated.

Program Areas:

1. Urban-Edge Agricultural Revitalization

2. Urban-Rural Connections

About SAGE

Context: Agriculture and Food in Regional Planning

Models: Coyote Valley

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5a/CoyoteValleyFromSTCP.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5a/CoyoteValleyFromSTCP.JPG

Coyote Valley: Urban Edge Foodbelt

7,400 acre valley between San Jose and Morgan Hill

Models – Sunol Water Temple AgPark

Vision

The Sunol AgPark is envisioned as an entity that integrates sustainable

agriculture, natural resource stewardship, and public education about the

agricultural, natural, and cultural resources of the Sunol Valley.

Elements

Community Benefit Farming, Natural Resource Stewardship, Public Education

Principles

• Land access and farming opportunities for multiple small farmers

• Protection and enhancement of the natural resources of land, water, and

habitat

• Experiential learning opportunities for multiple audiences

• Management of the AgPark as a collaborative, sustainable system that is

economically viable, ecologically sound, and provides value for all

participants

• Demonstration of a feasible AgPark concept by creating a working model.

Models – Sunol Water Temple AgPark

Models – Sunol Water Temple AgPark

Models – Green Valley Agricultural Conservancy

2,000 acres, private land

Models – Oeste Farms Conservancy

600 acres, private land

Models – Martial Cottle Park

290 acres, public land

Approach– Repurposing Springtown Golf Course

Stakeholders and Roles

• City, LAPRD, North Livermore Community Alliance

Vision, Goals and Assumptions

Physical Conditions

• Site description: layout, infrastructure, adjacent uses, neighborhood & landscape contexts

• Natural resources: soils composition, profile, residues, slope; topography; rainfall; biodiversity

Regulatory, Economic and Governance Considerations

Assessment of Elements and Scenarios

• All uses - park, agriculture, recreation, education, conservation, restoration, etc.

• Potential synergies and incompatibilities

• Other challenges and opportunities

• Community managed farm

- Village Homes in Davis, The Ponds at Woodward, KB Homes

• Community Gardens managed by City or nonprofit- many examples

• Individual lessee managing a farm enterprise, vineyard or orchard- JE Perry Farms at Ardenwood, part of EBRPD; Wente

• AgPark – multiple lessees managed by agency or nonprofit- Sunol AgPark

• Educational farm for families, children, students, job-training etc. - Hidden Villa, Full Circle Farm, Fairview Gardens, etc.

- Heather Farms, Dig Deep

• Farm-Restaurant and event venue- The Apple Farm, Full Belly Farm

• Ecological restoration farm project- Ann Sobrato High School

Agriculture Elements and Scenarios

Site suitability, opportunities and constraints

Economics

Community engagement

Partners and roles

Governance and management

Time-frame (2 year plan or 25 year plan)

Agriculture - Considerations

Repurposing Springtown Golf Course

www.sagecenter.org Sibella@sagecenter.org

Repurposing Springtown Golf Course

Questions?

http://www.sagecenter.org/