Urban Edge Agricultural Parks Toolkit

The Urban Edge Agricultural Parks Toolkit is a comprehensive guide for public and private landowners who want to revitalize or establish agriculture as a valued urban-edge amenity.

The concept for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks stems from the simple idea that the most critical place to create common ground between urban and rural interests is in the interface:  a place with the potential for a rich intermixing of urban and rural activities.

The Urban Edge Agricultural Parks Toolkit introduces the components of the AgPark model in six units. It includes nuts-and-bolts information on site, natural resources, facilities, governance, public interaction and finances, as well as “real world examples” describing programs and strategies.

SAGE’s first publication about AgParks was A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks.

Martial Cottle Park

SAGE provided agriculture and food systems consultation for a master plan for a 290-acre AgPark located in a San Jose residential area.

Walter Cottle Lester donated a portion of his family’s historic 290-acre Martial Cottle agricultural farm to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, and sold an additional portion to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Martial Cottle Park will celebrate the agricultural heritage of Santa Clara Valley, once called the Valley of the Heart’s Delight. Terms of the deed require active agriculture as a major use of the land. Educational programs and passive recreation are complementary land uses. Martial Cottle Park will open to the public in 2012 with complete build out expected to be completed within about 7 years.

Green Valley Agricultural Conservancy

SAGE is providing consultation services on the agricultural component of the Specific Plan for Middle Green Valley, a 2000-acre plan area in Solano County.  The Green Valley Agricultural Conservancy, for which SAGE is developing a business plan, will celebrate and perpetuate the tradition of cherished working landscapes that have characterized this part of Solano County for over 150 years. The Conservancy is envisioned as both an agricultural operation, growing for the local community and regional foodshed, and as a land steward, responsible for managing conservation and agricultural easements.  The 450-acre Green Valley Farm will be community amenity and defining element for the new cluster development project.

Angwin Agricultural Conservancy

SAGE developed a business plan for the Angwin Agricultural Conservancy, centered on a 70-acre working farm, which will be an integral part of the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of a proposed Eco-village infill/expansion project in a small college town in Napa County. The project is being developed by Triad Communities in partnership with Pacific Union College. SAGE expects to continue with consultation on the implementation phase of the project.

California State Parks Feasibility Studies

SAGE conducted a study to assess the feasibility for expanding sustainable agriculture operations in the California State Parks. Of the seven State Parks investigated in detail, several showed considerable promise as potential AgPark sites.  If implemented, this program could bring numerous benefits to park visitors, such as: providing interpretive programs, demonstration and hands-on education projects, and locally-grown food for concessions.