‘Unused’ Farmland

By using the terms “vacant” and “unused” to characterize the Pierce College farmland (“Pierce Could Be Left With Only Enough to Pay Staff,” Times Valley Edition, Jan. 31), the college administration would have you believe that nothing is nor could be happening with that land for agriculture or environmental education.

In truth, the 240-acre educational facility currently supports orchards, vineyards, pastures, sheep, swine, horses, cattle, an agriculture production lease by Cicero Farms, an arboretum, Braille Trail and plant nursery, several areas of wetlands, and a nature canyon featuring native California plant ecosystems.

Hundreds of Canada geese and other migratory birds are using the farm and natural areas for their wintering habitat.

It is also true the facility is in disrepair from years of neglect. This could easily be remedied if the administration would make a commitment to preserve the farmland and natural areas and develop a restoration and long-term management plan.

They are well aware the facility could become self-supporting through increased student agriculture production, grants, endowments, and volunteer assistance. They are also aware of the availability of technical assistance from the agriculture industry and government agencies.

Yet the administration is not pursuing these avenues.

Instead, they talk of leasing the land for a golf course. Everyone knows that relatively few people would benefit from golfing, whereas the vast majority of residents would continue to benefit from retaining and improving the farmland.

There are plenty of golf courses around, but only one college in the Los Angeles Community College District where students and the general public can learn first-hand about agriculture, our state’s number on industry.

The district faces severe funding cutbacks, but college assets such as the library, classrooms, laboratories or soccer fields will not be leased for commercial development.

The unique farmland and natural areas at Pierce college are educational assets also worthy of protection in this financial crisis.

MARGO MURMAN

Murman is chairman of the Coalition to Save Pierce College Farm .