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Who can become a member of the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program?
Growers that work with Community Gardens and Farms that are eligible for Food Well Alliance's programs are also eligible to become a member of the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found here.
Please note that each individual who will be using the BCS tractor & it's attachments, must complete the UATLP New Member Training.
How do I become a member of the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program?
To become a member of the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program you must:
Sign up to attend a New Member Training
Once you submit the form, you will be redirected to schedule your training session.
After signing up for training date / time, you will receive a confirmation email connecting you to the training instructor and to the Atlanta ToolBank to complete the registration process to borrow the equipment.
Once you complete the training and your registration with the Atlanta ToolBank, you will then be eligible to begin checking out the BCS equipment on your own.
Why do growers have to pay for the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program?
While this program subsidizes the cost of heavy duty professional-grade tools that growers often do not have affordable access to, we still believe that it is important for growers to have buy-in to the program. Therefore, we ask that growers make
an annual payment of $75 for unlimited access to the equipment for 1 year OR
a one-time payment of $35 if a grower would only like to borrow the equipment / attachments once.
If a grower chooses to borrow the equipment again in the same year, they will be required to pay a balance of $40 and thus have unlimited access to the equipment for 1 year.
All grower payments are used to help cover the maintenance costs for the BCS tractors & attachments. Additionally, if you have paid the $75 annual payment for the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program, then you are also eligible to borrow non-BCS equipment from the Atlanta ToolBank's inventory.
TOOLS / EQUIPMENT
What tools are available for borrowing in the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program?
The Urban Ag Tool Lending Program includes the following tools:
BCS 749 PS Walk-Behind Tractors
BCS Attachments - you can find a current list of available BCS attachments here: BCS Attachment Inventory
If there are additional BCS attachments that you would like to see added to the inventory, please email tools@foodwellalliance.org.
How do I sign up to borrow the equipment?
Email the following information to atlanta@toolbank.org with “BCS Applicant” in the subject line
Farm/Organization Name
Name of Individuals who will use the equipment (individuals must have successfully passed a BCS training course with FWA)
Type of membership requested (BCS or Full)
Date of training completion
Contact phone number
If I already have a membership with the Atlanta ToolBank, why do I need to create a second account to borrow Urban Ag Tool Lending Program specific tools?
The ToolBank’s list of borrowers is constantly growing. Having an account that is listed as a FWA sub-user helps easily identify you as someone who has successfully completed the New Member Training, and will help speed up the borrowing process.
How do I transport the BCS tractor and implements?
Option 1: A user must have access to a vehicle with a trailer hitch and towing capacity to transport the trailer containing the tractor and implements to and from their site and the Atlanta ToolBank, located in Southeast Atlanta. The trailer requires a 2” trailer ball mount and has a 4-pin connector, but users can borrow a ball mount and an adapter if needed.
Option 2: If a grower does not have access to a trailer, they may borrow one from the Atlanta ToolBank. A user must have access to a vehicle with a trailer hitch and towing capacity to transport the trailer containing the tractor and implements to and from their site and the Atlanta ToolBank, located in Southeast Atlanta. The trailer requires a 2” trailer ball mount and has a 4-pin connector, but users can borrow a ball mount and an adapter if needed.
If you are only borrowing an attachment, and not the BCS tractor, you will need to bring your own vehicle and/or trailer to pick it up.
What if the equipment breaks while I have it?
Please stop using the equipment immediately and notify the Atlanta ToolBank at atlanta@toolbank.org or 404-254-0938. Ensure all pieces of the damaged item are kept and returned for repair. If availability allows, the grower may return damaged equipment and exchange for a functioning replacement.
What if I need the equipment for longer than 1 week?
We understand that projects can take longer than expected or that weather can cause delays. Therefore, we offer the option of extending a borrowing session for an additional week, however, to receive an extension, you must contact the Atlanta ToolBank (404-254-0938) and they will allow extensions on a case by case basis.
If you are granted a 1 week extension, all tools must be returned to the Atlanta ToolBank after two weeks. This allows us to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly, doesn't delay any needed repairs or maintenance, and allows all members access to the equipment.
What if I need a different attachment than the 3 that I borrowed?
You are able to arrange an attachment swap with the Atlanta ToolBank. Call the ToolBank at 404-254-0938. Please note that swapping out an attachment does not extend the date on which you must return the equipment back to the Atlanta ToolBank.
What if I already own a BCS tractor & just want to borrow an attachment?
As of March 2021, growers who currently own a BCS tractor are now able to borrow just a BCS attachment. That said, we still require growers to be a member of the program which means going through a New Member Training. All members of the program must go through our training, regardless of their previous experience using a BCS tractor or if they currently own a BCS tractor.
TRAINING
What's the difference between a New Member Training & a Refresher Training?
New Member Training - all community gardeners and farmers new to borrowing and using the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program equipment are required to complete a New Member Training.
A New Member Training is 1 - 2 hours, depending on the grower's previous BCS experience.
You will indicate your level of experience using a BCS tractor when signing up for the training
Currently, to ensure safety during COVID-19 times, New Member Trainings are one-on-one between a grower and a training instructor. We will continue to reassess the situation in hopes of being able to offer small group trainings again in the future.
Any growers who will be using the equipment, must be a member of the program and therefore complete a New Member Training
Refresher Training - if you are an existing member of the program (i.e have already completed the New Member Training) and would like additional hands on experience with the equipment and support from a training instructor, you are welcome to sign up for a 1 hour Refresher Training.
If I have prior experience using or currently own a BCS tractor, why do I have to go through a training?
Regardless of a grower's previous experience with a BCS tractor or if they currently own one and are looking to borrow the attachments, we require all members of the program to attend our New Member Training. This training ensures proper operation and safety for this particular model of BCS and the accompanying attachments. Additionally, the training is an opportunity to share tips and tricks with another experienced user.
How frequently are trainings offered?
As of March 2021, two 1-on-1 training slots are offered every other Sunday. This allows us to leave the equipment with a grower following their training session for 1 week, allowing them to benefit from the program immediately. This also allows current program members to continue borrowing the equipment. We will continue to assess this and make adjustments accordingly.
OTHER
If I'm a member of the Urban Ag Tool Lending Program, can I also borrow other tools from the Atlanta ToolBank?
Yes, because of the partnership formed between the Atlanta ToolBank and Food Well Alliance through this program, the Atlanta ToolBank is allowing growers who are members of the Urban Ag Tool Lending program to borrow other tools in their inventory. To borrow the other tools, you will have to have a regular Atlanta ToolBank membership. Email atlanta@toolbank.org for more information. You can view the ToolBank’s inventory here.
