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Urban Agriculture in Baltimore City. Why Grow Food in a City?. Available Land. “Shrinking Cities” Replace ‘growth based’ planning with ‘place based’ livable cities. Population loss and land Abandonment has increased the number of sites potentially suitable for farming. Food Deserts.
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Available Land “Shrinking Cities” • Replace ‘growth based’ planning with ‘place based’ livable cities. • Population loss and land Abandonment has increased the number of sites potentially suitable for farming.
Food Deserts Many of Baltimore’s citizens lack access to affordable, healthy food. Food Desert Definition: Census block groups that are more than ¼ mile from a supermarket and have 40% or more of the population with an income below 125% of poverty. 18% of Baltimore City is in a Food Desert (JHU Center for Livable Future 2009)
Support the Goals and Strategies of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan. • Cleanliness: Transform vacant lots from liabilities to assets that provide social and environmental benefits. • Greening: Establish Baltimore as a leader in sustainable, local food systems. • Education and Awareness: Raise the environmental awareness of the Baltimore Community. • Green Economy: Create green jobs and prepare City residents for these jobs.
What Differentiates and Defines UrbanAgriculture? • Small land area/high intensity growing • Often separate from original soil (raised beds) • Located near/in densely populated areas • While may be a food production operation, will also include other social elements such as education, job training, etc.
What is Baltimore doing to support and promote Urban Agriculture?
Change Food Policy • 2009 – Food Policy Task Force Convenes • 2010 – Food Policy Task Force Recommendations Released • 2010 – First Food Policy Director Hired • 2010 – Food PAC Created • Advisory Capacity to implement FP Task Force Recommendations • Embraces Food System Perspective to Health
Update Building Code CCB #10-0593/Building, Fire, and Related Codes – 2010 Edition • Section 105.2 Permits shall not be required for the following: • 10. Shade cloth OR PLASTIC FILM structures COMMONLY KNOWN AS “HOOPHOUSES,” constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. THE COVERING OF THE STRUCTURE MUST BE A MATERIAL THAT CONFORMS TO NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION’S NFPA 701 STANDARDS.
Ancillary Support • Seed Money – General Obligation Bonds $160,000 • Baltimore Public Schools/Central Kitchen – Create a central space for processing, commercial kitchen rental, food service education. • Composting –Identify site for central composting facility for local farm use.
What do urban farmers need for success? Summary of Agronomic Characteristics for Potential Sites • Size: Minimum of 1 acre • Lease Agreement: Minimum of 5 years (with 2 year termination notice) • Vehicle Access: Daily sprinter vans and box trucks, Semi-Annual 18-wheelers • Buildings: Uses for storage, distribution, processing • Resources: Water (2 inch lines), Electricity • Shade Coverage: Minimal shade coverage (around 95% clear) • Surface: Any surface is farmable • Grade: Less than a 5% grade • Sun Exposure: South facing • Proximity to Resources: Schools, Jails, Public Transport, Farmers’ Markets, Restaurants, Stores
Assessment Process • Utilized GIS database of Mayor & City Council owned property. • Identified all sites 1 acre or greater, then culled out sites based on ‘agronomic characteristics’, economic development activity, community issues, food deserts, etc. • Twenty-five potential sites, 1 acre to 17 acres in size, totaling 35 acres.
Next Steps 2011 • Issue RFQ seeking ‘qualified’ farmers • Select up to ten farmers • Issue leases for the first 10 acres INTENT: Lease first 35 acres within 3 years
Why an RFQ? • Find out who’s out there • Evaluate farmers using the same criteria for all • Create a list of “qualified farmers” to begin leasing land • Draw from list in upcoming years as more land is released • Available at: www.baltimoresustainability.org or at 417 E. Fayette St., 8th floor
Intro to the RFQ • Definition, background, goals • Threshold Criteria: 1 year of experience, no major financial black marks • Timeline: • RFQ Issuance: March 25, 2011 • Pre-Submission Conference: April 8, 2011 • Applications Due: May 6, 2011 • Applicant Interviews: On or around May 27, 2011 • Anticipated Notification Date: June 17, 2011
Submission Requirements • Electronic format preferred (.pdf is best, .doc accepted) • Typed will be accepted if necessary • Table of contents, clear labeling • Don’t forget required forms • Due Friday, May 6, 4pm • On time, NO exceptions
Your Application Farmer Capacity • Narrative statement of 1-2 pages. Who are you, what makes you special? • Resumes provide depth and specificity • Financial information… do you have or can you raise the assets to get started? • Liability insurance letter of intent
Your Application Urban Agriculture Concept • What would your farm look like, how would it operate? [Animal husbandry will be incorporated gradually, to allay community concerns] • Design and size… how small/big could you go? What would work best? • Visuals, can be hand drawn, must be clear • How will your farm benefit city residents?
Your Application Cost Estimate and Economic Feasibility • Who will buy your food? What will they pay? Relationships with institutions/businesses? • Breakdown of start-up costs, expenses and income • Letter from a lending institution, if applicable • Info on any grants, awards, sponsorships, etc.
Your Application MBE/WBE Participation • Looking for participation by minorities and women as business owners, consultants, contractors, lending partners, employees • NOT a requirement • Is encouraged and will be considered • Any extra steps you plan to take to encourage participation?
How Decisions Will Be Made • Review Panel will consist of city employees and urban agriculture experts • Looking for: demonstrated experience, positive track record, sufficient access to financing, matches our goals, sensible plan, participation by minorities and women a plus • May call applicants in for interviews on or around May 27
What Then? – Sites • Will work with qualified farmers to pick the best piece of land for their needs/plans • A full list of potential urban agriculture properties will not be released at this time • Farmers are not required to accept land they don’t want to work on • Not all properties will be released in first year • Farm operations expected to start spring ‘12
What Then? – Conditions • Must either use barriers and raised beds or plan to clean up site per MDE reg’s • Must follow sustainable farming practices • Must meet with community to discuss farm and address reasonable concerns • Must be prepared to pay any relevant fees (ex., permit fee for building a new barn)
What Then? – Terms & Finances • Will negotiate 5-year leases (with 2-year notice to vacant), terms based on farm type • Rate of $100/year • No taxes on non-profit farms • For-profit farms may be eligible for tax breaks • Funding will be available to help with initial capital costs (grants, loans and/or bonds)
Misc. Questions Q: Can I see a list of all of the potential farm sites? A: No. We do not want farmers to fight each other over sites, or to engage residents in political maneuvering. Besides, our list is constantly growing and changing. Q: I want to farm in Baltimore, but I won’t be ready to start a farm by spring 2012. Should I apply? A: Yes! We will be releasing land year by year, and you will not be required to participate at any point, so there’s no reason not to get qualified now.
Misc. Questions, cont. • Q: I don’t have farming experience yet, but I want to be involved! What should I do? • A: Get training at Great Kids Farm, with the New Farmer Mentorship Program or with another urban farming venture in town. Some of the farms that start up through the RFQ will include job training components, and we anticipate drawing new farmers from that pool.
