Local Urban Agriculture and Land Use Report

At the general membership meeting on Thursday July 12th HANC hosted a discussion in the round with guest presenters Rob Joyce, from Hayes Valley Farm, Please Touch Community Garden, and a developing network of urban agriculture sites on the Blue Greenway; Pancho Ramos Stierle from the Free Farm, and the Occupy the Farm initiative at the Gill Tract; and, Ed Dunn, from the Kezar Garden and Ecology Center.

Rob shared his perspective on the conditions that have become a pattern of success for initiating and maintaining a successful urban agriculture site. He suggests having a track record of success, a "champion" or connection with a public official, and support from a local organization from the immediate area around the site are crucial to success.

He also recommends having people in public positions or those with strong opinions about urban agriculture to visit the site where they can see and reframe their expectations.

Pancho shared the story of the Gill Tract and the astonishing and passionate community support for maintaining food production for people on that site and not in favor of developing the site with housing and grocery store. He maintains that love and supportive compassion for all parties involved will be critical for having urban agriculture reaching its potential of creating community and connection.

Ed Dunn shared the latest update on the status of the Kezar Gardens and Ecology Center and took questions from those gathered as to what they can do to support the site and prevent it from being evicted by San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department.