Northside Agriculture Innovation Center Conceptual Site Plan
NORTHSIDE
AGRICULTURE & INNOVATION CENTER
Multiple public, private and public partners have collaborated to develop the conceptual site plan to develop multiple site elements to create an unique and innovative space to facilitate public engagement and workforce programs in regenerative, sustainable, controlled- environment, and high-tech agriculture. The resulting site plan facilitates the following priorities:
Urban Greening (entire project site)
• Nearly seven acres of open space to sequester carbon via planting of 450+ trees and shrubs and healthy soils farming practices to demonstrate heat island mitigation and carbon-sequestration functions provided by green infrastructure and working landscapes. • The management of land-based activities in sustainable, climate-impact mitigating methods to demonstrate how agricultural and natural landscapes can address climate change impacts.
• Approximately ½ mile of trails around the perimeter of the project site with interpretive signs.
Workforce Development (Sections 2, 3 and 4)
• State-of-the-art solar greenhouses to train climate-smart agricultural practices to prepare a highly skilled workforce in sustainable, controlled environment, and high-tech agricultural
technologies; four agricultural workforce programs have been developed, with two certified by UCR University Extension and other two undergoing certification. • Integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels over soil-based agricultural activities to facilitate research and training in emerging dual-use agrivoltaic practices, the integration of solar and agriculture.
• Over 1.5 acres committed for soil-based training via the Next Generation Farmer Training Program certified by UCR University Extension.
• Additional future opportunities include collaboration with partners to establish an on-stie microgrid to support research and training in solar renewable energy management, solar facilities, and multi-sector connectivity.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Sections 2, 3 and 4)
• Solar greenhouses, coworking spaces, and incubation facilities planned for NAIC will:
o Train at least 135 individuals annually; and
o Incubate 6-10 new farmers and ag tech start-ups annually with an estimated 25 companies launched over 10 years.
• Specialized agriculture-based education and training will be delivered by accredited instructors and business mentorship via seasoned entrepreneurs in residence.
Community Engagement (Sections 1, 2 and 4)
• An open-space agricultural-themed venue for community events including a community garden, indoor/outdoor event spaces, a co-work learning center, and demonstrations of climate-smart agricultural practices to educate a broad audience on how agriculture can function in an urban environment.
• Demonstration greenhouses to show case agriculture of the future and a teaching kitchen for food demonstrations and events.
• Site trails to encourage public engagement.
Section 1 Conceptual Renderings
Demo solar greenhouse on the right. Co-work learning center in the background.
Outdoor pavilion with solar shade for community events and workshops.
Co-work learning center in the background, will house future demo kitchen, office spaces and meeting rooms.
Outdoor event space. Co-work learning center and solar demo greenhouse in background.
Section 2 Conceptual Renderings
Open space for soil-based farmer training programs and integration of agrivoltaics.
30-plot community garden with integration of agrivoltaics.
Demonstration garden with native plants and pollinators, with site trail.
Section 3 Conceptual Renderings
Additional outdoor venue for community events and site restroom facilities.
Beginning farmer incubation plots.
Section 4 Conceptual Renderings
Flexible atrium in solar greenhouses for community events, workshops, support facilities (e.g. processing, storage, cold storage) for site’s agricultural activities.
Solar greenhouse for research, workforce development, ag-tech start up incubation.