Staff proposes the creation of an urban farm incubator that would allow vacant City land will be licensed for local food production. With direction from City Council, staff would release a solicitation to enter into a license to utilize the former New Start Garden property for agricultural production. 

In an effort to expand urban agriculture and support economic development in Flagstaff, staff proposes the creation of an urban farm incubator where vacant City land will be licensed for local food production for four-year terms. For the pilot parcel, staff proposes utilizing the portion of the Mogollon Public Works Yard property (0.18 acres) known as the former New Start Garden. As the oldest community garden in Flagstaff, the former New Start Garden served as a community resource for food production for over 30 years. In 2011, community members stopped community garden activities and since that time, the former garden has remained vacant and unused. Utilizing this space for urban farming activities would increase local agriculture, support sustainable economic development, and reduce the issues associated with vacant land. 

CLIMATE CHANGE: Take meaningful climate change action. Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Grow and strengthen a more equitable and resilient economy.

REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy LU.3.5.Allow and encourage urban agriculture.
Goal E&C.2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy E&C.3.4. Increase the region’s preparedness for extreme climate events
Goal PF.2. Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.