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South Central Farm

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Once America's Largest Urban Farm | In the 1990's South Central Farm stretched for 13 acres and fed more than 3,000 local Angelinos. Today, it is nothing more than an empty grass field, surrounded by warehouses and covered in trash. After being evicted in 2006, the South Central farmers have been determined to reclaim their land. Click Here For the History of South Central Farm!

Free Farm | Kill Bill actress Daryl Hanna was one of the many celbrities to show her support for the South Central farmers. She said, "These people depend on this food, they live from this food," and played a major role in the Save The Farm Documentary. Via Michael Kuehnert

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South Central Farm | South Central Farm, on the corner of 41st Street and Alameda, may be the next home to the Occupy Los Angeles movement.
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Farm Not For Sale | Activists of all ages show that they are determined to hold on to the land they feel belongs to their community. Via Michael Kuehnert

Save The Farm | Watch a trailer for the award-winning documentary, Save The Farm, that tells the South Central Farmers' story. Via WSRcreative
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Eviction Day | On May 24, 2006 the farmers were evicted from their land,and protesters were forcibly removed by June.Via Michael Kuehnert

South Central Farmers Respond To City Council Vote Via Michael Kuehnertia WSRcreative
Activists were outraged that the city council revoked their original promise to demand the developer usea portion of the 14 acre lot for a community park.

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The Farmers Stand With Occupy LA
They may have been evicted them from their farm, but they will not be purged from their tents! South Central Farmers and fighting to keep the Occupy LA movement alive. Via Michael Kuehnert
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Q&A With Director of Save The Farm
Michael Kuehnert, the director of Save The Farm, talks openly about the making of the documentary and why he supports the South Central Farmers. Via Michael Kuehnert
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A Look At The Fresh Produce
Check out the delectable fresh fruits and vegatables that were produced and distributed by the South Central Farmers. Via Michael Kuehnert

A Bad Promise

By Nicole Fukuoka

South Central Farmers protested outside of Los Angeles city hall on Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011, while city council voted on a proposal that would allow the developer of what used to be South Central Farms to start building on the land.

“No more warehouses in South Central”, chanted protesters who were determined to keep city council to their promise.

When the city sold back the farmland to its previous owner Ralph Horowitz, there was a stipulation that 2.6 acres of the 14-acre lot would be used to build a park for the community. However, the developer proposed to give the city of Los Angeles a donation of $3.6 million for park improvements, in exchange for the uninhibited use of the South Central plot.

City officials determined that the land originally parceled for park development couldn’t be used for its intended purpose because of dangerous pollution and traffic in the area. So, in an amendment proposed by Councilwoman Jan Perry, the city would use the $3.6 million donation to finance new playground and exercise equipment, a basketball court, and building renovations for a South Central housing project.

“This is and has been a privately owned piece of land since 2003. Additionally, this is an industrially zoned land in the middle of the Alameda corridor. The city has the opportunity to enhance recreation and park spaces for people in the immediate area and support job creation through this amendment. At a time when unemployment is in excess of 20 percent for the area, this is an important goal,” said Perry in an official statement after the council’s decision.

The proposal was passed unanimously by a vote of 12-0. Horowitz wanted the full use of the land, because it’s currently in escrow and the prospective buyer wants the whole lot to build a garment warehouse. The South Central Farmers are currently in negotiations with city council and the Occupy Los Angeles movement to try and prevent their community plot from being industrialized.  

 

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Healthy Options For Kids | The South Central Farm provided fresh, healthy produce that helped prevent childhood obesity, and also gave kids a safe place to play.Via Michael Kuehnert
8Corporate Help | Companies, like Toyota, helped the South Central Farmers raise money to buy back their land by donating things like this Madland forklift. Via South Central Farmers Facebook
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Through A Looking Glass | Police used caution tape to block off the aresbefore they bulldozed South Central Farm in an attempt to control the unruly crowd of protestors who refused to abide by the eviction. Via Michael Kuehnert