Q & A for Property Owners  

Farmland with reliable water is especially valuable to Festive Farmettes. Acreage gives us even more room to grow food, restore habitat and create community spaces.But the property does not need to be a traditional farm. We are also interested in orchards, gardens, vacant or underused land and other properties with growing potential.The Captain is very creative when it comes to growing spaces. Warehouses, commercial properties, apartment buildings, strip malls and schools may also offer opportunities through structurally suitable rooftops, courtyards, open areas or other adaptable spaces.Location matters too. Whenever possible, we want growing spaces to be close to the people and communities who need reliable access to nourishing food the most, so food can be grown and shared locally rather than requiring long-distance delivery. Exceptional properties farther away may also be a good fit when they offer established farms or orchards, abundant water or other resources that support the broader Mission.

Depending on the arrangement, a contributing landowner may be able to continue living on, using or enjoying the property for the remainder of their life.Any continued-use arrangement would be clearly defined in writing, including the landowner’s rights and responsibilities and Festive Farmettes’ responsibilities. Festive Farmettes would not assume responsibility for personal care, medical care, assisted living or other long-term-care needs.Our goal is to protect the land while allowing appropriate continued use where an arrangement can be made that works for everyone.

Absolutely, when it makes sense for the property and the arrangement.If you are already growing food, caring for orchards, tending gardens, restoring habitat or using the property in ways that support the Festive Farmettes Mission, we may want you to keep doing exactly that.Some landowners may prefer to remain actively involved, while others may want to step back and simply know the property will continue to be cared for. That can be part of the conversation.

Contributing property to Festive Farmettes can place it into Mission stewardship without waiting for FF to accumulate the funds to purchase it. The land can then be protected, cared for and put to productive use rather than eventually being lost to development.Depending on the property and the landowner’s wishes, arrangements may include a lifetime right to continue living on or using the property, a lease or lease-to-own arrangement, an option to purchase, conservation or preservation arrangements, or another mutually workable structure.Festive Farmettes may also lease suitable growing areas to farmers and gardeners, create farmettes, gardens and orchards, or use a property for other Mission purposes appropriate to the land.As Festive Farmettes develops substantial reserves and endowment funding, direct property purchases will also become possible.There is no single formula. A good arrangement protects the land, respects the landowner’s intentions and gives Festive Farmettes a sound path for caring for the property into the future.

You will email the Captain, who will review the preliminary information you provide to see whether the property appears to fit the Festive Farmettes Mission. If it does, a phone conversation will follow so we can learn more about the property, your goals and the possibilities for protecting and caring for it.

There is no obligation to inquire or to move forward after an initial conversation. If we discover a workable path together, both parties can proceed toward a written agreement with clear terms and responsibilities.

Festive Farmettes is not designed to hold properties that continually operate at a loss. Each property is intended to generate enough Mission-compatible income to cover its own taxes, insurance, maintenance and other ongoing expenses.Where possible, income from a property will also help build a reserve for future needs such as equipment, wells, irrigation systems, repairs, improvements or necessary structures.How a particular property supports itself will depend on what is appropriate there. Possibilities may include farming, orchards, leases, memberships, educational programs, plant and food sales, educational workshops or other uses consistent with the Festive Farmettes Mission.

Not necessarily, but Festive Farmettes is initially focused on areas where preserved growing space can directly serve communities with significant food needs. The Captain resides in San Diego, so that is the first focus, especially because she knows there is a growing need for free, organically grown food in the area.Our first priority is the near-coastal San Diego region, with future expansion north toward the San Francisco Bay Area, where food insecurity and access to fresh organic food are also important concerns. Properties farther away would have to offer an unusually strong Mission fit to justify the distance and logistics.The goal is to grow food close enough to the people who need it, so that Festive Farmettes does not become a long-distance delivery operation.Exceptional properties in other places may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.

An encumbered property is not automatically ruled out, but there would need to be a clear and realistic path for resolving or carrying those obligations.Festive Farmettes is not intended to acquire properties that create continuing losses for the Mission. Any mortgage, lien, taxes, insurance, maintenance and other property-specific costs would need to fit within a workable plan for the property to support itself.In some cases, existing income from farming, leases or other Mission-compatible uses may help support the property. In others, the obligation may need to be reduced, paid off or otherwise addressed before Festive Farmettes could responsibly take it on.Every property is different, so the financial picture would be reviewed along with the land itself. The goal is a property that can be preserved and remain financially sustainable for the long term.

Festive Farmettes wants to understand what you value about the land — orchards, gardens, wildlife habitat, buildings, family history, particular uses or other features that matter to you.Those wishes can become part of the conversation when deciding whether the property is a good fit and what form of stewardship makes sense.Where practical and compatible with the Mission, Festive Farmettes will work to preserve the character, productive features and history that make the property special.At the same time, the land must remain capable of adapting to future needs, changing conditions and responsible stewardship. Any specific protections or continuing commitments would need to be clearly defined in writing.

You are welcome to include family members, heirs, attorneys, financial advisers or other trusted people in the discussion.Festive Farmettes understands that land can carry generations of memories, expectations and family history. Questions about future use, continued involvement, inheritance concerns or particular features of the property are all appropriate to raise early.The goal is to make sure the landowner understands the possibilities and has the opportunity to involve the people whose input matters to them before any final agreement is made.

There is no fixed timetable. Every property and situation is different, and sufficient time is allowed for discussion, property review, professional advice, due diligence and clearly written terms.Some situations may move fairly quickly if the property and goals are straightforward. Others may take considerably longer if there are mortgages, liens, family considerations, continued-use provisions, zoning questions or other details to work through.Festive Farmettes would rather take the time to create a sound, lasting agreement than rush a property into the Mission before everyone is comfortable with the terms.