World Takes Notice Of West Sacramento's Urban Farm Program
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The West Sacramento mayor just returned from Italy where he taught city leaders from around the world about incubator farms.
"People around the globe wanted to know about our little urban farm program as an example of how to sustain agriculture in the long term," Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said.
It's not often you see a farm right next to a busy street.
"People stop by all the time just to see what's happening and what is growing now," said Sarah Bernal, the program manager for West Sacramento's urban farms.
At the Global Expo in Milan, Cabaldon showed other cities how to look for an opportunity to start urban farms.
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"We wanted to shed the light on great properties like this that could be developed someday. But while we are waiting, couldn't we do something with them?" Cabaldon said.
The cycle of people inheriting farms is no longer happening, so farms like West Sacramento's program are needed to sustain agriculture.
"It provides so much more food security then what we had before," Bernal said.
Not only that, it helps transform a vacant lot into something good for the community.
"Transforms parts of our neighborhood that could use a little love and care," Cabaldon said.
Every Tuesday and Friday, neighbors are frequenting the farmers market at 5th and F Streets.
"People have been coming out in support and it's been really great," Bernal said.
The farms are also drought resistant because they use a drip system. Organizers say they only have to water once a week.
