Here is a complete listing of our announcements. Click here for our most current news and announcements.
Reduced-Cost or Free Water Hookups for Urban Ag Projects
Posted October 13, 2011
Very exciting news! The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has just begun offering a fee waiver for the installation of new water meters at urban agriculture sites in San Francisco. The PUC approved the program at its meeting on Tuesday and just posted the application for the fee waiver today. See the application for details about what kinds of projects are eligible and what documentation is necessary. New meters usually cost around $8,000 to install. These waivers will cover up to $10,000 in cost. The PUC has set aside a total of $100,000 for the program and applications are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Our Food, Our Schoolyards, Our Water
A mayoral candidate forum sponsored by the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance, San Francisco Green Schoolyards Alliance, and Bay Area Water Stewards. Come hear the candidates' perspectives on issues related to urban agriculture, schoolyard greening, and the city’s management of water resources.
When: Monday, September 26th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Where: LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street (@ Octavia)
Who: Open to the public
When: Monday, September 26th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Where: LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street (@ Octavia)
Who: Open to the public
SF Refresh Events to be Held July 24
SF Refresh is hosting daylong, citywide events that enable San Franciscans to receive free whole body care in community garden settings in 2011. The next series of events will be held on July 24th and will include:
For more information, please visit sfrefresh.blogspot.com.
- The Bayview Opera House: - Neighborhood walk and trash pickup (8-10 am)
- Hans Schiller Plaza, Visitacion Valley Greenway Garden: Leland/Rutland - Jazz Picnic (2-5pm)
- The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough - Free whole body health care (10-2pm)
- Growing Home Community Garden: Octavia/Lily - Free whole body health care activities and gardening (12-5pm)
- Hayes Valley Farm: Laguna/Fell - Free whole body health care activities and gardening (12-5pm)
For more information, please visit sfrefresh.blogspot.com.
SFUAA Endorses CA Biosafety Conference
The SFUAA proudly endorses Justice Begins with Seeds: Stop the Corporate Food Regime, the conference of the California Biosafety Alliance. This will be taking place on September 14 – 17 2011 in
San Francisco.
The conference will address the implications of genetically engineered food, address food justice concerns and help build coalitions and encourage collaboration.
To learn more, please visit: biosafetyalliance.org/conference/
San Francisco.
The conference will address the implications of genetically engineered food, address food justice concerns and help build coalitions and encourage collaboration.
To learn more, please visit: biosafetyalliance.org/conference/
SF Urban Ag Zoning Proposal Signed Into Law
Posted April 21, 2011
We are happy to report that Mayor Ed Lee has signed into law San Francisco's new urban agriculture zoning ordinance. We did it!
Going forward, gardens will be allowed in all parts of the city and gardeners will be able to sell what they grow. With your help, we were also able to add a lower-cost fencing option to the regulations and convinced the city to allow on-site sales of value-added goods at gardens in many parts of the city. This legislation puts San Francisco at the forefront of cities that are updating their zoning codes to encourage urban agriculture. For a complete run-down of the legislation and the amendments that were approved by the Board of Supervisors, please see the zoning proposal section of our website and press release.
Numerous media outlets covered the passage of the new ordinance, including the San Francisco Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Weekly, and Civil Eats. Visit our news page to see them all.
Help us thank the Mayor and Board of Supervisors
The urban ag zoning ordinance had unanimous support from the Mayor and the full Board of Supervisors. If you live in San Francisco, please join us in showing our appreciation for their support by sending a quick e-mail to both the Mayor and your supervisor.
Thank you again for your support and helping start a new chapter of gardening and farming in San Francisco!
P.S. You can see more great photos from the event at: Blair Randall's Garden for the Environment Flickr page, and Paul Towers' Pesticide Watch Flickr page (which includes the photo above).
Going forward, gardens will be allowed in all parts of the city and gardeners will be able to sell what they grow. With your help, we were also able to add a lower-cost fencing option to the regulations and convinced the city to allow on-site sales of value-added goods at gardens in many parts of the city. This legislation puts San Francisco at the forefront of cities that are updating their zoning codes to encourage urban agriculture. For a complete run-down of the legislation and the amendments that were approved by the Board of Supervisors, please see the zoning proposal section of our website and press release.
Numerous media outlets covered the passage of the new ordinance, including the San Francisco Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Weekly, and Civil Eats. Visit our news page to see them all.
Help us thank the Mayor and Board of Supervisors
The urban ag zoning ordinance had unanimous support from the Mayor and the full Board of Supervisors. If you live in San Francisco, please join us in showing our appreciation for their support by sending a quick e-mail to both the Mayor and your supervisor.
- Mayor Ed Lee: mayoredwinlee@sfgov.org
- Supervisor Contact Information: Find your supervisor and their contact info at www.sfbos.org
Thank you again for your support and helping start a new chapter of gardening and farming in San Francisco!
P.S. You can see more great photos from the event at: Blair Randall's Garden for the Environment Flickr page, and Paul Towers' Pesticide Watch Flickr page (which includes the photo above).
Board of Supervisors Passes Urban Agriculture Zoning Ordinance !
On April 12, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the urban agriculture zoning ordinance! Success! Thanks to everyone who wrote letters, signed petitions, and came to the hearings. The Mayor will sign the bill into law on April 20th. For more information about the new law, see our zoning advocacy page and also check out the news section.
Success at the Land Use Committee!
We are happy to report great success at the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Economic Development Committee hearing today! We had another solid turnout, and it looked like the SFUAA had more representation in the room than any other group!
The proposal, with the amendments introduced by Mayor Lee and Supervisor Chiu, was sent to the full board with unanimous support of the committee. (For a full description of the amendments that were added to the original proposal, see: http://www.sfuaa.org/urban-ag-zoning-proposal.html)
The legislation will now move to the full Board of Supervisors, where it will be read and voted on at two meetings — on April 5 and April 12. We’ll send more details about the April 5th meeting in a few days. We will also be organizing a gathering to celebrate this exciting change in the coming weeks — stay tuned for more information on that as well.
As before, many thanks to everyone who came out to City Hall today and to everyone who was there in spirit!
The proposal, with the amendments introduced by Mayor Lee and Supervisor Chiu, was sent to the full board with unanimous support of the committee. (For a full description of the amendments that were added to the original proposal, see: http://www.sfuaa.org/urban-ag-zoning-proposal.html)
The legislation will now move to the full Board of Supervisors, where it will be read and voted on at two meetings — on April 5 and April 12. We’ll send more details about the April 5th meeting in a few days. We will also be organizing a gathering to celebrate this exciting change in the coming weeks — stay tuned for more information on that as well.
As before, many thanks to everyone who came out to City Hall today and to everyone who was there in spirit!
Next Zoning Proposal Hearing - March 28, 2011
Posted March 23, 2011
The zoning proposal is moving forward to the Board of
Supervisors! We want a strong
presence at this hearing of the Land Use and Economic Development Committee –
so please come. Wear green to
identify yourself as a supporter; we'll have SFUAA stickers on hand as well. The details:
Monday, March 28th
City Hall, Room 263
12:30 PM – SFUAA supporters meet on steps of City Hall (or just inside in case of rain)
1:00 PM – Hearing Begins
The urban ag proposal is the second item on the agenda so, if you can make it, please come by 1:00 PM sharp.
A note about speaking at the meeting: since we had such a great number of comments at the Planning Commission, we’re hoping our numbers in the room will convey the same message in less time. Anyone is welcome to speak at the hearing but it's not necessary, so please come whether you plan on speaking or not. Tell your friends and bring ‘em too!
Monday, March 28th
City Hall, Room 263
12:30 PM – SFUAA supporters meet on steps of City Hall (or just inside in case of rain)
1:00 PM – Hearing Begins
The urban ag proposal is the second item on the agenda so, if you can make it, please come by 1:00 PM sharp.
A note about speaking at the meeting: since we had such a great number of comments at the Planning Commission, we’re hoping our numbers in the room will convey the same message in less time. Anyone is welcome to speak at the hearing but it's not necessary, so please come whether you plan on speaking or not. Tell your friends and bring ‘em too!
HANC Recycling Center Needs Our Support on February 28, 2011
Posted February 25, 2011
Thank you to those who came to the February 14 hearing to support the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council (HANC) Recycling Center. The hearing resulted in a resolution introduced to the Board of Supervisors on February 15, which has been sent back to the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee for discussion and approval before it can be voted upon by the full Board.
We are again asking for your support at this upcoming hearing, the last opportunity for public comment.
Monday, February 28
10:00 am
Room 250, on the second floor of City Hall
If you cannot attend the meeting, (and even if you can attend the meeting), please e-mail the Board of Supervisors at board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org and the Mayor at mayoredwinlee@sfgov.org. See our Advocacy section and the HANC website for more information.
We are again asking for your support at this upcoming hearing, the last opportunity for public comment.
Monday, February 28
10:00 am
Room 250, on the second floor of City Hall
If you cannot attend the meeting, (and even if you can attend the meeting), please e-mail the Board of Supervisors at board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org and the Mayor at mayoredwinlee@sfgov.org. See our Advocacy section and the HANC website for more information.
Zoning Proposal Gets Unanimous Support from Planning Commission!
Posted February 18, 2011
Success! The Planning Commission voted unanimously yesterday to support the urban agriculture zoning proposal as it was introduced without any additional restrictions. They also expressed interest in having the ordinance's sponsors explore ways to incorporate value-added/processed goods into on-site sales. These are two great successes! Thank to you the over 60 supporters who made it to the hearing and those who were there in spirit!
The Commission did not support waiving permit fees, changing fencing language, or pooled produce (they also asked supporters to explore issues of soil testing). However, earlier in the week, the Small Business Commission held a hearing on the proposal and they did support exploring fencing language that would allow vegetative screening on chain link fences as well as incorporating value-added goods into on-site sales.
The proposal will now move to the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors. Stay tuned for the hearing date. We will want to have a good turnout at that hearing as well!
Thanks again to everyone who has helped gather letters, petition signatures, and for such a strong presence yesterday!
The Commission did not support waiving permit fees, changing fencing language, or pooled produce (they also asked supporters to explore issues of soil testing). However, earlier in the week, the Small Business Commission held a hearing on the proposal and they did support exploring fencing language that would allow vegetative screening on chain link fences as well as incorporating value-added goods into on-site sales.
The proposal will now move to the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors. Stay tuned for the hearing date. We will want to have a good turnout at that hearing as well!
Thanks again to everyone who has helped gather letters, petition signatures, and for such a strong presence yesterday!
Support the Urban Ag Zoning Proposal on February 17!
Posted February 9, 2011
Please join the SFUAA at the Planning Commission's hearing to support the urban agriculture zoning proposal. We need as much support as possible!
Wear green to identify yourself as a supporter; we'll have stickers on hand as well. Here are the details:
Thursday, February 17th
City Hall, Room 400
1:00 PM – SFUAA supporters meet on steps of City Hall
1:30 PM – Hearing begins in Room 400
2:30 PM – Estimated time for our issue (could be a little earlier or later)
You are welcome to speak at the hearing but it's not necessary, so please come whether you plan on speaking or not! If you haven't already, please sign our petition and tell your friends about the hearing! The agenda for the meeting can be found here. Learn more about the zoning proposal here.
Wear green to identify yourself as a supporter; we'll have stickers on hand as well. Here are the details:
Thursday, February 17th
City Hall, Room 400
1:00 PM – SFUAA supporters meet on steps of City Hall
1:30 PM – Hearing begins in Room 400
2:30 PM – Estimated time for our issue (could be a little earlier or later)
You are welcome to speak at the hearing but it's not necessary, so please come whether you plan on speaking or not! If you haven't already, please sign our petition and tell your friends about the hearing! The agenda for the meeting can be found here. Learn more about the zoning proposal here.
Support the HANC Recycling Center on Valentine's Day!
Posted February 8, 2011
Support the HANC Recycling Center at the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee Hearing on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM, City Hall, Room 250!
Visit the HANC blog for more information on how you can support this vital community resource. For the SFUAA's take on this issue, please read our letterto the General Manager of the SF Recreation and Park Department here.
Visit the HANC blog for more information on how you can support this vital community resource. For the SFUAA's take on this issue, please read our letterto the General Manager of the SF Recreation and Park Department here.
Now Available Online: Zoning Proposal Advocacy Toolkit!
Posted January 20, 2011
The SFUAA has put together an advocacy toolkit to help garner support for the SF urban agriculture zoning proposal, currently on the agenda for the February 17 Planning Commission hearing. The toolkit includes an online petition, template letters for businesses and community groups, and an FAQ on the zoning proposal.
Please check it out here and spread the word. We need to drum up as much support as possible in order to get the proposal passed (especially with the amendments that the SFUAA is requesting).
Please check it out here and spread the word. We need to drum up as much support as possible in order to get the proposal passed (especially with the amendments that the SFUAA is requesting).
Hearing on Urban Ag Zoning Proposal - February 17, 2011
Updated January 19, 2011
Mark your calendars and save the date — the first Planning Commission hearing on the urban agriculture zoning proposal is currently scheduled for:
Thursday, February 17th (Please note the new hearing date)
1:30 PM
City Hall, Room 400
We’ll have more details as we get closer to the date. Since it’s in the middle of the day, it will be harder for us to rustle up a crowd -- so, if you think you can make it, please come! Also please spread the word -- we want to have a strong presence at the hearing and we need your help.
Thursday, February 17th (Please note the new hearing date)
1:30 PM
City Hall, Room 400
We’ll have more details as we get closer to the date. Since it’s in the middle of the day, it will be harder for us to rustle up a crowd -- so, if you think you can make it, please come! Also please spread the word -- we want to have a strong presence at the hearing and we need your help.
First Zoning Campaign Meeting - January 6, 2011
Posted January 5, 2011
Want to help push forward and improve the urban ag zoning proposal? Come to the first SFUAA subgroup meeting this Thursday, 6-7:30pm.
Please note — because of building security procedure, we need to have the names of attendees before the meeting. Please RSVP to at ezigas@cultivate-sf.org, by Thursday at noon if you are planning to come to the meeting.
What: First Zoning Campaign Meeting
When: Thursday, January 6, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Environmental Defense Fund, Conference Room, 28th Floor, 123 Mission St @ Main (Two blocks from the Embarcadero BART station.)
Please note — because of building security procedure, we need to have the names of attendees before the meeting. Please RSVP to at ezigas@cultivate-sf.org, by Thursday at noon if you are planning to come to the meeting.
What: First Zoning Campaign Meeting
When: Thursday, January 6, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Environmental Defense Fund, Conference Room, 28th Floor, 123 Mission St @ Main (Two blocks from the Embarcadero BART station.)
Urban Agriculture Alliance Applauds Introduction of Proposed Urban Agriculture Zoning Changes
Posted December 15, 2010
New regulations would open more land to community gardens and help city farms be economically viable, but amendments are needed.
San Francisco, CA - Yesterday, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Planning Department introduced an ordinance that would amend the Planning Code to allow for greater food production within the city. The proposal would update San Francisco's zoning regulations to explicitly permit gardens in all areas of the city and also allow for the sale of produce from those gardens. While the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance (SFUAA) applauds the Mayor and Planning Department for introducing this forward-thinking legislation, the group is concerned about a number of provisions that could make garden projects prohibitively expensive and limit their potential.
Read more here.
San Francisco, CA - Yesterday, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Planning Department introduced an ordinance that would amend the Planning Code to allow for greater food production within the city. The proposal would update San Francisco's zoning regulations to explicitly permit gardens in all areas of the city and also allow for the sale of produce from those gardens. While the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance (SFUAA) applauds the Mayor and Planning Department for introducing this forward-thinking legislation, the group is concerned about a number of provisions that could make garden projects prohibitively expensive and limit their potential.
Read more here.
SFUAA Announces Official Partnership with SF Refresh
Posted November 17, 2010
SF Refresh will create six daylong citywide events that enable San Franciscans to receive free whole body care in community garden settings in 2011. Activities include: gardening classes, yoga, life coaching, meditation, trauma care, nutrition classes, massage, acupuncture, tea and coffee cuppings, movement classes, preventative health care information and more.
In addition to providing direct services to those who need them, SF Refresh connects individuals and families to self care resources available through the city's system of care, local businesses and non-profit organizations.
The SFUAA is proud to support this important initiative! Check out the website for more details on how to get involved.
In addition to providing direct services to those who need them, SF Refresh connects individuals and families to self care resources available through the city's system of care, local businesses and non-profit organizations.
The SFUAA is proud to support this important initiative! Check out the website for more details on how to get involved.
