Please place on the May 16, 2018 City Commission Agenda, a referral to the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) to consider a temporary hydroponic farm incubation pilot in North Beach to be heard at the June 20, 2018 SRC meeting.

Hydroponic farming is the method of growing plants without soil and using instead a nutrient-rich solution to deliver the necessary water and minerals plants need to grow.  The concept is ancient and it is now being explored in many parts of the world to combat food insecurity by increasing farming outputs and growing plants in terrains that would not normally sustain them.  Many communities are also embracing the concept in an effort to supply locally grown, abundant and nutritious organic produce to their municipalities.

I would like to explore the possibility of piloting a temporary, small-scale hydroponic farm initiative in North Beach, potentially leasing the half of the west lot on 82nd Street to the venture. The project would need to be bid out and ideally include a public benefit construct for our residents and food insecure senior citizens and families.

If successful, the incubation pilot could eventually be relocated and expanded to other underutilized public and/or private facilities.

For additional information, please contact my office at extension 6437.