Farm a lot

Grow Food, Keep Animals, Cultivate the Land

The Land Bank enjoys partnering with farmers to put vacant lots to good use. For-profit and non-profit organizations can farm on available public land. The lot can be used to cultivate crops, raise animals, and keep bees. Through access to land, we're turning urban agriculture into ownership.

How It Works

Farming can be a creative and adaptive reuse for vacant land. If you'd like to start or expand a farm on public vacant land, this program is for you.

Your first step is to submit a Farm-a-Lot application. You will tell us about your plans for the farm, including the land you are interested in, what kind of crops or animals you plan to have at the farm, whether you will grow using raised beds or directly in the soil, whether you plan to have structures like sheds and greenhouses, how you plan to get water for the farm, and how you will pay for the operations.

If the land you would like to farm on is located on a residential block, you must work with the Land Bank to make sure that nearby residents have a good understanding of your plans. This includes a site plan that showcases how the farm will operate, as well as signage. Community engagement will help to support your efforts over the long term. Your connection to the neighborhood where the farm will be located will also be considered.

Once approved, you will enter into a lease agreement with the Land Bank for a $100 annual fee. The lease agreement will give you the right to farm the land for up to three years. During the lease, you will have the option to purchase the land at its fair market value so you can continue to operate your farm as the property owner, with your lease payments credited toward the purchase price. We may also extend the lease for additional years if you are not yet ready to take ownership.

A few important considerations:

• Farm-a-Lot parcels may be located in residential, commercial, or agricultural areas. These lots will typically be at least ½ an acre in size and may include multiple adjacent lots.
• Some lots may not be eligible for the Farm-a-Lot program, including those targeted for new housing and those with toxic environmental contamination.
• Like all property uses, Farm-a-Lot projects must comply with local building, health, safety, and zoning regulations.

Ready to get started? Complete our Farm-a-Lot application and let's go!