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Plans to build a quarter-acre urban farm next to a school near downtown were officially announced by Long Beach officials on Monday. It's the 16th such plot for the oceanside city and is all part of the municipality's move towards sustainability.
New City Farm is a collaboration between city officials and the chartered New City School. “This is a very exciting project," said Councilmember Robert Garcia, who helped facilitate the land's $1 per year lease between the city's Housing Development Company and the school. “This farm will benefit not only the New City students and their families, but the entire neighborhood and the City in general."
The land, which has sat empty for more than ten years, will be leased for at least five years. New City, which enrolls mainly low-income students, will use the land to enhance core subjects like math, history and English literacy. Other subjects will include nutrition, environmental biology and conservation. The farm will include vegetable gardens, fruit trees, a windmill for power and, later on, some animals.
“In addition to giving students a hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture, this farm creates green space in a very urban area, and sets an example of how the City can reimagine business corridors and land uses,” said Councilmember Garcia. Before development, much of Long Beach used to be a farm.
A grand opening "build day," where students, parents and teachers will prepare garden beds, plant crops and build infrastructure, will take place on June 10th. The farm is located at 15th and Long Beach Boulevard.
Previously: Long Beach to Add an Urban Farm near Downtown
