HEADLINER

Agritourism: Securing the future of sustainable farming in Redland

Farmers seek support for a proposal to allow local farm tours, retail u-pick, farm-to-table meals and more before City Council April 2

*Anna Knight at her family farm, Old Grove Orange in Redlands, discussing the possibility of agricultural tourism in Redlands. (Photo: Stephanie Hastings Miranda, Community Forward Redlands)*

REDLANDS, Calif. — A small herd of sheep wanders eagerly down the road as Anna Knight, a fifth-generation farmer with Old Grove Orange Inc., pulls up to her farm. The sheep made a break from their enclosure. Knight says it happens sometimes when they are looking for greener pastures to graze.

While petting one of the escapees, Knight explains that local farmers are also seeking new pastures – ways to diversify how they engage with the community and customers – but are limited by local zoning laws established generations ago.

Knight explains that farming in Redlands a century ago looked much different than today.

"A-1 zoning guidelines were designed for farmers 100 years ago when everyone was growing citrus and it was a money crop and you participated in a pack-housing system."

*Anna Knight greets a small herd of sheep at Old Grove Farm. (Photo: Stephanie Hastings Community Forward Redlands)*

About 18 months ago, a coalition of Redlands farmers and ranchers met at Knight's family farm to discuss the future of sustainable farming. The Two Canyon Farmers Guild developed a plan to modernize agricultural zoning rules to better engage the community, open up their farms, and remain an integral part of the local economy for future generations.

A city code amendment that will be considered by the Redlands City Council on April 2 would allow for more than just farming on areas zoned A-1 Agriculture in the Timoteo Canyon and Live Oak Canyon and smaller areas of remnant groves near the Redlands Municipal Airport.⁠
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Learn more about what agritourism would mean for Redlands farmers and why RUSD Child Nutrition Services, Redlands Chamber of Commerce and ANCA Redlands are all supporting the code amendment. ⁠

NEWS BRIEF

♻️ Curbside food waste recycling begins: Starting April 1, residential food waste should no longer be put in the gray trash bins. To comply with California state law, residents will be required to put all food scraps directly into the green curbside bin. Read more here.

How to build climate-resilient communities neighborhood-by-neighborhood

Redlands residents at the forefront of addressing local impacts of climate change make up the organization Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA). The Redlands-based nonprofit is dedicated to educating and empowering neighbors to work together toward local climate resilience and adaptation. Learn more about ANCA Redlands and how to get involved here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

A Day of Climate Action returns with gardening workshops, clothing swap, disaster preparedness and more

REDLANDS, Calif. – The city-wide event 'A Day of Climate Action in Redlands' is back for a second year. Hundreds of volunteers from across the community are expected to show up on Earth Day to participate in a range of projects to learn about sustainable living.

Why it matters: From composting and backyard gardening to disaster preparedness and clothing swaps, the event aims to bring the community together in working towards local climate mitigation and adaptation.

Details: A Day of Climate Action in Redlands, spearheaded by Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA), will provide the community with a variety of engaging projects held throughout town from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Projects are planned and organized by the following Redlands organizations: Citizens Climate Lobby, City of Redlands, Common Vision Coalition, California Climate Action Corps, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, Leadership Redlands Alumni, Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF), Treestock, and California Native Plant Society.

Following the projects, participants will gather at the Redlands Bowl from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate with a free lunch, live music, information tables and activities for kids.

Read more about the projects and how to register here.

UPCOMING

🎬 Redlands Cinema Classic returns, April 3: The Redlands Cinema Classic Film Festival returns this spring to help raise funds for childrens’ art education and enrichment. The films will be shown at LOOK Cinemas in Redlands. Read a run through of the schedule here.

🥾 Guided hiking series returns, April 6: The Redlands Conservancy has announced dates for the Spring 2024 Trails at 10 hiking series. The hikes offer residents and visitors a chance to see Redlands' natural beauty and learn about the city's 28 miles of public trails managed by Redlands Conservancy. Read more and register here.

🚗 Auto insurance discount for seniors, April 18-19: The Redlands Community Senior Center will be hosting a two-day AARP driver safety class aimed at providing valuable information and skills to help seniors drive safely and confidently. Upon completion of the course, participants may qualify for a discount on their auto insurance premium. Read more here.

🎥 AAUW FilmFest, April 19: The spotlight will shine on the creative works of women filmmakers at the upcoming FilmFest, a fundraising event organized by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Redlands Branch. Read more about the films and ticket information here.