Urban Farmer(s) Wanted.
Request for Letters of Interest
Raleigh City Farm is seeking prospective urban farmers interested in producing diversified vegetables on our 800 N. Blount Street site.
About Raleigh City Farm
800 N. Blount St. is an urban farmer’s dream location. With 15,000 people passing a day, the visibility of the location alone attracts customers. Surrounded by some of Raleigh’s best neighborhoods including historic Oakwood, Mordecai & Oakdale and revitalizing Capital Park, the site is highly walkable and bikeable. Peace College & Seaboard Station are also adjacent and walkable. At the north end of the Person St. / Blount St. corridor, the site is only one mile from the center of Downtown Raleigh and its thriving restaurant scene.
We are a community-supported farm. We have activated more than 1,500 community members in support of this farm through farm projects, group workdays, farmstand sales and on-farm dinners. This type of support will be made available to you as well, and we will help coordinate volunteers for the occasional farm projects that could benefit from many hands making light work.
Our neighborhood economy is thriving. Sales outlets are growing and customers are ready and eager to purchase local products. Overlooking the farm, a restaurant & grocery plans to open in Spring and will join Yellow Dog Bakery, Wine Authority, Person Street Neighborhood Bar, Pie Bird, Station, Stanbury, Escazu Chocolate, Oak City Cycles, and other great and supportive neighborhood businesses.
Throughout 2013 we have been growing on approximately 1/3 of the site, selling at our onsite farmstand, and to neighborhood-based and downtown restaurants. We have kept records of crop rotations, soil tests and sales.
Urban Farming Opportunity
We are in process of co-locating several synergistic urban farmers on our site to share the benefits of visibility, infrastructure, co-working and co-marketing. Imagine multiple growers onsite each day, someone focused on intensive diversified vegetables in raised beds, another growing hydroponic lettuce in a greenhouse, another operating a mushroom house and a beekeeper collecting honey, each sharing resources and techniques in a community supported environment. We will help grow a supportive entrepreneurial culture and thriving market opportunities around these farmers.
Growing area available is approximately 1/3 of an acre (total site is 1 acre), including at least 60 - 2’ x 50’ permanent raised beds and area for future high tunnel production. Irrigation includes 5,000 gallons of rainwater collection with potential for additional 5,000 gallons, a backup city-water supply, drip tape and overhead misters. Our current site plan is attached.
Experience growing for CSA’s and restaurants is preferred. Compensation is based on production/sales revenue. We aim for 70% of sales to go to the farmer and 30% to Raleigh City Farm, depending on experience. Contracts for 1-5+ years are negotiable.
Raleigh City Farm will provide assistance with production planning in alignment with established and new sales demand as well as co-marketing, sales and delivery of produce to restaurants, CSA members, and via the on site farmstand. Some necessary growing supplies will be provided.
1-Page Letter of Interest
Farmer(s) with experience in diversified vegetable growing, interested in managing 2014’s growing season at Raleigh City Farm, please submit a 1-page letter describing your experience in production planning, sustainable growing and marketing.
Letters of interest are due before January 15th. Followups will begin as letters come in. Approximate start date is February 1st. To submit a letter of interest, schedule a site tour or ask questions, contact:
Chris Rumbley, CEO raleighcityfarm@gmail.com 919-636-2926
