Salt Lake County - Urban Farming

Contents

Urban Farming Program
Salt Lake County, Utah
Julie Peck-Dabling
Phone: (801) 468-3571
Email

Salt Lake County is embarking on a new Urban Farming Initiative. Publicly owned lands that are currently lying fallow will be considered for lease for the purposes of growing fruits and vegetables.

The purpose of Salt Lake County’s Urban Farming program is to:

• Protect the food supply and preserve agricultural land to meet the nutritional needs of present and future generations
• Support local farmers
• Promote the use of biofuel production on non‐traditional agronomic lands
• Provide agricultural-based economic development opportunities
• Preserve vistas and landscapes
• Promote a healthy lifestyle and improved nutrition along the Wasatch Front

What's HAPPENING in urban farming!

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - SALT LAKE COUNTY

On April 23, 2010, Salt Lake County published a Request for Proposals "For the Operation of Commercial Farming Entrepreneurships at the various Salt Lake County properties" seeking interest from farmers who would like to lease County-owned land for uban farming within Salt Lake County.

Please visit Salt Lake County: Urban Farming Request for Proposals Published April 23, 2010 - Pre-proposal Meeting Wednesday, April 28 for a copy of the RFP and for more information.

Community Supported Agriculture

The CSA event held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Squatters was a great success - Standing Room Only! If you couldn't make it to the Open House, or came but couldn't get it, check out the CSA Utah website. Many farmers are still offering spring deals. Go to www.csautah.org/buy.html

Open House

The Open House held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 was a great success. If you missed it, check out our "FAQ" sheet (frequently asked questions).

Urban Farming Initiative FAQ – January 2010

What is the purpose of the program?

The County’s Urban Farming Program is designed to:

• preserve agricultural land to meet the nutritional needs of present and future generations
• Protect the food supply
• Support local farmers
• Promote the use of biofuel production on non‐traditional agronomic lands
• Provide agricultural-based economic development opportunities
• Promote a healthy lifestyle and improved nutrition along the Wasatch Front
• Honor the cultural heritage of our pioneering ancestors
• Preserve vistas and landscapes

Our goal is to build a network of community gardens and small farms in Salt Lake County.

I missed the Open House. What was discussed?

The Open House was an opportunity for people to review the maps of potential farming and gardening sites. Participants were asked to fill out comment cards to give us additional information in determining the next steps of the program. You can still give us comments by filling out a form (on our website or can be emailed to you) and emailing it back.

What will the county charge to lease the land?

Lease rates have not been determined. Water is available as noted on the sites.

How will the County decide who gets which parcels?

An application will be made available later in the spring for the larger parcels that could accommodate commercial farming enterprises. Applicants will be judged on criteria that have yet to be determined, but will include experience and financial viability.

An application process will be made available for the smaller parcels for community gardens as well. The areas that have the greatest interest and support will be selected as the first to be developed. This program will be coordinated through a partnership with Wasatch Community Gardens.

Will plots be available this year?

Yes, although the community gardens will likely not be planting this year, the preparation work and volunteer coordination and training will begin in 2010.

How can I find out when the applications are available?

If you received this document via email, your address has automatically been added to the listserv to receive updates on the urban farming program. Additionally, updated information will be posted on the website at www.urbanfarming.slco.org

Biofuel - Urban Farming and Fuel (UFF)

Utilizing non-productive land for crop production eliminates debate about using traditional agronomic crop land for fuel production. Salt Lake County Councilman Jim Bradley's office, recognized this concept and has been a driving force to establish a pilot project investigating new uses for idle municipal lands. FreeWays to Fuel (F2F) working with County Mayor Corroon's office will develop this pilot project by using county and city owned land for biodiesel feedstock production. Urban farming and fuel (UFF) is a new concept under the F2F umbrella of inventorying unused municipal land for production of food and fuel. If the land acreage is above 15 acres and has less the ideal soil conditions or lacks water, it can be used for biofuel feedstock production.

For further information contect Julie Peck-Dabling with the County's Urban Farming program or Dallas Hanks with Freeways to Fuel.

Community Gardens

Community Gardens and farms throughout the Salt Lake Valley? Why not!

Click here for a list of approximate addresses: Address list (PDF)

Additional Information & Comments

• If you would like to provide input about the Salt Lake County Urban Farming program, please email Julie and ask for a comment card for community gardens or commercial farming.
   
• List of Parcels: Salt Lake County Park Land - Potential Urban Farming Opportunites (PDF)
  This is a list of potential sites. All sites will not be developed; this is an initial list of sites being considered.
   
• Subscribe To the Salt Lake County Urban Farming Newsletter: Urban Farming Listserv