There are at
least 2 vacant acres at the Sunol Ag Park that will be leased beginning in
September of 2015. This land is located within the 18 acre organic Ag Park in
Sunol, CA and is adjacent to farms currently in production. The Sunol Ag Park
is a project of Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE) in conjunction with
the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The Ag Park itself is
located near the Sunol Water temple on land in the Sunol Valley owned by the
SFPUC.
The land
has a long history of agricultural production over the past century ranging
from walnut orchards, hay fields, to row crops. Two creeks, Alameda Creek and
Arroyo de la Laguna border the property. This is an ideal setting for a new or
existing farmer to grow a farm business as there is not only easy access to
water with meters adjacent to each acre it is also conveniently situated in the Tri
Valley region of Alameda County, only miles away from major market
outlets.
Water is
billed at $496.58/ac/ft. Land is leased at $1000/ac/yr.
The
following is some criteria which will help a farmer be successful at the Ag
Park:
- Prior knowledge and experience in organic farming principles
- Must have or be working towards organic certification
- Ability to manage land without compromising the ecosystem
- Have a business plan and the resources to sustain a business
- Can successfully and respectfully cooperate and interact with farmers and other Ag Park community members
Any
interested farmer or prospective farmer is encouraged to apply! Basic written
and spoken English language is required. English language learners are welcome
to apply. Please fill out the prospective farmer interest form which can be found
on the SAGE website: http://www.sagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Prospective-Sunol-AgPark-farmer-form_2014.pdf
Please
send requests for more information or completed interest forms to Aspen:
aspen@sagecenter.org
Applications
are due at the end of June. SAGE and Sunol Ag Park would like to select a farmer by the end of
July.
