BBQ at Old McConnell's Farm

GRAND TERRACE>> Jeffrey McConnell, long-time Grand Terrace resident and real estate broker, has been growing gardens since the second grade and is continuing his passion by working to bring the Grand Terrace Organic Farm to the city. Although the farm will not be called “Old McConnell’s Farm,” the organic farm will have two greenhouses including a hot house for food such as tomatoes and peppers, and an aquaponics greenhouse. Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish, such as tilapia, supply nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which purifies the water. With traditional farming, McConnell said one head of lettuce can grow three times a year in a square foot. With aquaponics, however, McConnell said four heads of lettuce can grow in a month in a half using less than one-tenth of the amount of water that traditional farming uses. “(It’s) a fantastic way to farm where you can’t traditional,” he said. “Less water (is used) since were in a drought. It’s always fresh and organic and you can’t put chemicals in it because it will kill the fish. It’s high intensity and takes less space, less water, shortens the growing season and doesn't leave a carbon footprint.” While the two greenhouses will help build up the farm, McConnell said there will still be a mixture of traditional farming as well for foods like corn and zucchinis. With the space available, he said there would be opportunities for pumpkin patches and other festivities that could be held all year long. McConnell said he would also like to team with the University of California, Riverside to work with the agricultural students to come on sight as part of their school work. However, before the organic farm can come to the city, McConnell will go before the city council with a proposal to rezone the area to allow for the property owners in the area to have the ability to have their own hobby farms and sell items. “It’s like a country atmosphere,” he said. “I want people to come to the farm area and not just mine. Other property owners will be able to develop their property.” McConnell said organic green is a big movement today and is more than just for locals but it also reaches out to the region. During a BBQ event lead by McConnell, Assemblymember Cheryl Brown stopped by to give her support, along with many local residents. “Everybody dreams of how Grand Terrace used to be,” he said. “Where it was agriculture and all green and you could buy and pick your stuff and that's what we are heading toward. Retro Grand Terrace, the way it used to be.” If you would like to support the organic farm or would like more information, contact Jeff at (909)841-5333.