As the first phase of its urban Farm Campus nears completion, 4Roots today unveiled plans for the $28.1 million second phase including a community green with a stage, an events center, restaurant, cafe, and Culinary Health Institute. To support the capital construction of this second phase, philanthropy organisation Dr. Phillips awarded the project a grant of $5 million.
“We are extremely grateful to Dr. Phillips for their continued support,” said John Rivers, President & CEO of 4Roots. “This generous gift kicks off our fundraising efforts for the new phase and brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of strengthening our local food system to create healthier people and ecology and greater equity and access for all in our community.”
The 4Roots Farm Campus is located at a community crossroads on the southern border of The Grove, the new city park in The Packing District. The Farm Campus is uniquely positioned to inspire diverse audiences to grow, source, and prepare food in new and healthy ways that benefit the community. Having broken ground in the Fall of 2021, the first phase of the Farm Campus, including classrooms, growing areas, and a teaching greenhouse is scheduled to be completed in early 2024 and will host programs to cultivate the next generation of food citizens.
“As we near the completion of Phase I which focused on education, the board at Dr. Phillips was inspired to continue our investment into Phase II,” said Ken Robinson, President & CEO, Dr. Phillips Inc. “The new phase allows 4Roots to invite a broader community of students, farmers, scientists, and the public to the Farm Campus and build out its programmatic schedule beyond education. Dr. Phillips commitment of an additional $5 million for the newest phase puts our total commitment to the 4Roots Farm Campus at $11 million. We applaud their efforts and are proud to continue our support of 4Roots.”
“The second phase of the Farm Campus shifts the focus from education to the community,” added Rivers. “It is designed to create a place to gather where guests, from children to grandparents, will “wander in wonder” learning about the beauty and importance of nature and the important role it plays in both planet and human health,” he continued. “It provides spaces for our community to come together to learn, listen and celebrate.”
Original plans shared in 2020 called for a 12,000 SF educational greenhouse led by Valencia College; a 35,000 SF hydroponic greenhouse using state-of-the-art growing technology from GrowPonics (Website) touted as the “first of its kind in the continental United States; and a 2,400 SF vertical greenhouse. Plans also included a new 5,000 SF banquet facility, and a 16,500 SF farm store and cafe showcasing a farm-to-table menu.
Details of Phase II include:
– Event Center: 7,500 sq. ft. with 300 seats
– Community Green: ¾ acre with 4, 300 sq. ft. stage
– Café and retail space: 5,100 sq. ft.
– Culinary Health Institute: 5,300 sq. ft.
– Restaurant: 5,300 sq. ft.
– Four guest houses: 1,500 sq. ft. each
– Solar and site lighting
For more information
4Roots Farm Campus
https://4rootsfarm.org/