The City of Lawrence and Douglas County have made 12 sites available for community members to use during the 2012 growing season.
The Common Ground Program makes municipally owned land available for license for the cultivation and sale of plants, herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables, either as for-profit or not-for-profit enterprises. The program is intended to assist initiatives for the development of urban agriculture and community gardens in the City of Lawrence and Douglas County, increasing local food production, and providing community benefits.
Growers and gardeners can apply for a license to use these sites – which range in size from 0.3 to 20 acres – for $1 per acre per year. In exchange, program participants will propose a “Community Benefit Plan.” Examples of community benefits include donation of produce to local food pantries, participation in educational outreach programs, etc. Participants in the program will also provide annual reports to City and County Commissioners and feedback to help refine this pilot program.
The city and county released the Request for Applications (RFA) today, and seek applications from qualified individuals, businesses, and/or nonprofit organizations. Applications for the sites are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 16. The Douglas County Food Policy Council will review the applications, and submit recommendations for City and County Commissioners to review by late January.
Local community members are strongly encouraged to submit individual applications and/or develop partnerships with local community organizations.
The Request for Applications can be accessed here: http://www.lawrenceks.org/common_ground
Information about the Douglas County Food Policy Council: http://www.douglas-county.com/sites/fpc
For more information contact: Eileen Horn, sustainability coordinator, ehorn@lawrenceks.org or 785-330-3121
by Eileen Horn
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