Request for Proposals to Lease Small Agricultural Plots on the San Luis Obispo City Farm

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1 Request for Proposals to Lease Small Agricultural Plots on the San Luis Obispo City Farm DEADLINE: February 1, 2014 Proposals to be selected in March 2014 Leases to be signed in May 2014 For more information, SUBMIT your response online to the Ground Lease Application Questions by completing the form available at: or print and snailmail to: Attn: Jenna Smith P.O. Box 3736, San Luis Obispo, CA, BACKGROUND & INFORMATION Thank you for your interest in carrying out a project on the San Luis Obispo City Farm. This city-owned land, known officially as the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve, is San Luis Obispo s first urban farm and consists of approximately 20 acres on the west side of the city [see attached map]. The land has been leased to local non-profit organization Central Coast Grown (CCG) whose charge is to implement the city's Master Plan requirement that this prime agricultural land remain under production.. The majority of the land has been leased to a local restaurateur for agricultural production. The remaining land will be divided into small plots up to 2 acres in size (no minimum) to be used for a variety of agricultural and educational projects or enterprises. Central Coast Grown has set the following goals for programs on these plots: 1. Continue agricultural production on historically-farmed land; 2. Provide opportunities for education about sustainable agriculture to the general public or other audiences; 3. Incubate private farming enterprises by providing new farmers and farmersin-training with productive land and marketing opportunities; 4. Provide a space for experimentation and innovation in farming. TYPES OF PROJECTS ANTICIPATED Central Coast Grown will consider a wide variety of projects for these plots. For example, individuals could start private organic farming operations, entrepreneurs could grow and sell niche crops like herbs or medicinals, schools could teach students how to grow their own food through hands-on lessons, and experimental permaculture or composting techniques could be field-tested for efficacy. Projects could also involve beekeeping, aquaponics, a children's garden, seed saving, horticultural therapy, a food forest, or production for local restaurants. Projects need not actually produce food crops, but could focus on topics that support food production, e.g., pest management or habitat for pollinators. We encourage people to offer innovative ideas to make the City Farm a place to produce food for the community, by the community in unique ways.

2 BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION Lessees of small plots at the City Farm will have high-quality soil and access to irrigation water from an on-site agricultural well. Easy access from Highway 101 and Los Osos Valley Road, as well as publicity conducted by Central Coast Grown, will provide exposure for projects, whether the intended audience is the general public, local businesses, restaurants, schools, or other organizations. Participants will also benefit from the network of agricultural resources Central Coast Grown has developed throughout the county, as well as from opportunities to collaborate with other on-site projects. TERMS The dollar amount of rent payment and the duration and renewability of the lease will be negotiated separately for each selected project proposal. To facilitate these negotiations, please provide complete information on the Lease Application. Different rental scales will apply to commercial and experimental/educational ventures. Land lease rates for commercial ventures will be guided by fair market land lease values for agricultural row cropland. Educational projects can anticipate their share of water and insurance-related costs. Successful applicants will be expected to pay a proportionate share of CCG's policy, or required to purchase their own insurance. RESTRICTIONS Proposals for community gardens will not be considered. If agricultural commodities are harvested from the plots, this harvest may not be primarily for personal use. Harvested commodities of marketable quality must be distributed to an educational or charitable organization, or marketed commercially. The site must be managed in such away so as not to preclude future tenants from seeking organic certification. Permanent structures may not be constructed on leased land, although hoop houses or other temporary structures may be permitted. All structures built during the lease are subject to removal at the end of the lease period. PROPOSAL EVALUATION FACTORS CCG will select proposals based on the following criteria: 1. Potential size and diversity of audience served by the proposal; 2. Demonstrated ability to cover negotiated rental fees; 3. Apparent ability to carry out the proposed project; 4. Compatibility with CCG's commitment to a sustainable local and regional food system, which strengthens the connection between local people and locally-grown food.

3 CITY FARM - GROUND LEASE APPLICATION QUESTIONS SUMBIT your response online through the online form available at: or print and snailmail to: Attn: Jenna Smith P.O. Box 3736, San Luis Obispo, CA, Submissions must be received by February 1, Title of Project: Project Description: (250 words maximum) Date of Proposal Submission: Name of Organization (if applicable): Contact Information (Organizations may provide up to 3 contact people.) Name: Telephone number:

4 Please provide either references (below) or letters of support, whichever is appropriate. Attach letters of support to the end of this document. Personal References 1. Name: 2. Name: Professional References 1. Name: 2. Name: Leasing Options: up to 2 acres (no minimum) I am interested in leasing: acres. Lease Term: 1-5 years with option to renew I am interested in an initial lease length of years. General Information (maximum 750 words total for this section) 1. Describe your ability to carry out the proposed farming endeavor in regard to both agricultural practices and financial solvency. 2. Describe your planned agricultural practices, including chemical use, irrigation practices, tillage, crop rotation, integrated pest management, etc.

5 3. Describe any improvements, temporary structures, or perennial plantings you envision for the property. 4. Describe the avenues through which you anticipate distributing and/or selling your products and services. 5. Describe the educational or publicity activities you expect to accompany your use of the agricultural land. 6. Provide any additional information about your project.

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