Protesters Want to Save Farm at Pierce College

About 50 people gathered at the Pierce College farm Sunday afternoon to protest the school’s plan to lease 240 acres for the development of a golf course.

Many in the crowd chanted “Save the farm!” as they waved signs that read “Fields, not greens” and “Trees, not tees.”

Several members of the community--including a former Pierce student, an environmentalist and the president of a local homeowners’ association--delivered speeches encouraging the community to fight the proposal.

A campus committee has agreed to the golf course development, saying it could bring the cash-strapped school at least $1 million a year in revenue.

On Tuesday, the Pierce College Council is scheduled to vote on the project, which is likely to be approved by administrators.

Many at Sunday’s rally plan to attend Tuesday’s meeting in a last-ditch effort to save the 370-acre farm.

Stephen McGee of Tarzana is one of the farm’s supporters. He brought along his two sons, ages 7 and 4, to Sunday’s demonstration and said his family would suffer if the land becomes a golf course.

“I bring my kids to the nature trails here all the time,” McGee said, “and I’m a high school biology teacher in the inner city, so I’ve brought many of my students here.”