Sac AP folks: please support Urban Ag this Thursday

[Paul Trudeau]

Hi all -

I've been working with a bunch of groups under the umbrella of the Sac Urban Ag Coalition to pass Urban Ag ordinances in both the City and County of Sac.  A UAO would revise zoning codes, as has been done in many other jurisdictions around the country, to make it easier for people like us on this forum to make a living raising food in urban areas (including with aquaponics).  We're just about to bring out our County proposal, and aspects of that and our City proposal need support, so we're having a farm tour and press conference this Thursday, Oct. 23 in South Oak Park.  Details below.  If there's any way you can attend, please do.

Thank you.

Paul

ps   feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

916 533 5268

Coalition of Farmers and Nonprofits Host Showcase of Urban Agriculture in South Sacramento

Urban Farmers Want to Sell Produce Grown in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2014) – The Sacramento Urban Agriculture Coalition is

hosting a tour of two urban agriculture operations in South Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood

to highlight the stories of farmers and community members. This tour is being organized to

demonstrate the different forms urban agriculture can take; from revenue-generating urban

homesteads to the conversions of long-neglected, vacant lots.

The Coalition has already presented their ideas to elected members of the Sacramento City

Council and the County Board of Supervisors and received support for ordinances that would

increase economic opportunities, improve food security, and make neighborhoods safer by

addressing blighted, vacant lots.

While the concept of urban agriculture has enjoyed general support, several aspects of the

proposal that are integral to realize Sacramento’s potential need our support. Among these

priorities are:

• Allowing for the on-site sale of produce grown by urban farmers.

• Ensuring that economically-viable urban agriculture is allowed both on vacant lots as

well as lots where people live.

• Taking advantage of state laws to incentivize agriculture on vacant lots in urban areas.

• Aligning City and County policies for an equitable, consistent regulatory system.

The tour will begin at an urban homestead in Sacramento County, Yisrael Family Farms. The

Yisrael Family Farms is an urban homestead producing organic vegetables, fruits, and nuts for

both family sustenance and community education.

Members of this coalition will be in attendance including Ubuntu Green, Pesticide Action

Network North America, Sacramentans for Sustainable Community Agriculture, Soil Born

Farms, Alchemist Community Development Corporation, and the Alliance of Californians for

Community Empowerment.

For more information, please visit http://www.ubuntugreen.org/advocacy-urban-agriculture.

Event: Sacramento Urban Agriculture Farm Tour

Who: Urban Farmers, Local Nonprofit Organizations, and Community Members

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014

Locations:

1) Yisrael Family Farms, 4505 Roosevelt Ave., Sacramento @ 3:30 p.m.

2) Community-Led Vacant Lot Conversion, 44th St. & 11th Avenue, Sacramento @ 5:30 p.m.

Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment – Amelia Garduno, [phone]

Sacramentans for Sustainable Community Agriculture – Matt Read, [phone]