COM 0561.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A. Project Concept The principals (brothers, Ellis and Adin Hester) of Hester Farming Co. LLC have been involved in various aspects of farming for over 40 years. This experience ranged from the actual cultivation of various crops to the management of large farm cooperatives. Specifically, their combined experience have included • The cultivation and ownership of a certified organic farm spanning over 500 acres in Willamette Valley of Oregon. Crops included cucumbers, sweet corn, green beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, raspberries, Marion black berries, and blueberries; • Working with farmers growing tomatoes, peaches, pears, apricots, cherries and grapes for food processing; • Operating a processing -marketing farm cooperative in California; • Growing olives in California for both table use and olive oil; and • Being the President and CEO of the Olive Growers Council of California, an agricultural bargaining association of olive growers throughout California. One of the principals lives on the subject site and has been farming the site while rebuilding its soil to make the site more arable over the past 3 years. As a resident and farmer, the applicant believes that the site is very suitable for small- scale farms. At the same time, the applicant notes the absence of smaller farm lots in the area, which limits the opportunity for area residents to purchase and engage in small family-oriented farms. As such, the applicant — in applying its farming and managerial knowledge - wishes to create smaller farm lots in this area with the necessary infrastructure to support these farms at an affordable level. The applicant believes that the proposed 5-10 acre sized lots is a size that would enable locals and others to own and farm their own land. and thus become economically more self-sufficient.