Advancing Urban Agriculture in Los Angeles

Internationally acclaimed landscape planner and president of Mia Lehrer + Associates, Mia Lehrer, FASLA, has conducted extensive research on urban agriculture. Her "Farm on Wheels" program was the winning design for the\"redesign your farmer's market\" contest, which invited entrants to articulate and render their vision for the next generation of farmers'markets and how they will serve the community. Sponsored by GOOD magazine, The Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, CO Architects, The Los Angeles Good Food Network, and The Architect's Newspaper. http://www.mlagreen.com/

Mud Baron operates a seven-acre farm on the campus of North Hollywood High School, which serves as a nursery for the rest of LAUSD. It also maintains some 500 gardens across the LAUSD at varying levels of production. http://www.mudbaron.com/

Glen Dake, LA Community Garden Council - The LA Community Garden Council's mission as a non-profit is to connect people with community garden space in their neighborhood. Approximately 70 community gardens are growing in Los Angeles County, serving 3,900 families. http://www.glendake.com/ http://www.lagardencouncil.org/

Robert Gottlieb is the director for the Center for Food and Justice of Occidental College. Most recently, a $2.34 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has allowed the CFJ to establish and coordinate - in collaboration with the Community Food Security Coalition - the National Farm to School Network. The effort links local farmers with school cafeterias across the country, improving student nutrition while giving small farmers access to a multi-billion dollar market.

Paula Daniels serves on the Food Policy Task Force, City of LA, and is a commissioner for the L.A. Board of Public Works. Formed by Mayor Villaraigosa, this task force will provide a report and recommendations over a six month period on city food policy and a foodshed assessment. The task force will conduct research on a number of topics, including food access and transportation, sustainable agriculture and pesticide use, nutrition education programs, and urban/rural community relationships.