Urban Agriculture Tool Lending Program
Food Well Alliance is excited to launch Atlanta’s first Urban Agriculture Tool Lending program, in partnership with the Atlanta Community ToolBank and with the generous support of Whole Foods Market. We have learned from our network of local food leaders that affordable access to heavy duty professional-grade tools is a major barrier to community gardens and urban farms in metro Atlanta. In addition, historically, the Atlanta Community ToolBank has not allowed membership for individuals, farms, gardens or local food organizations not associated with an non-profit entity.
In response to this need, Food Well Alliance has established an urban agriculture tool lending program at the Atlanta Community ToolBank where community gardeners and urban farmers can borrow BCS tractors year-round. Two BCS tractors and attachments are available for growers who have successfully completed the Food Well Alliance sub-user membership process. Learn more about our process below and sign up for a training here.
COVID-19 UPDATE: As of now, the Atlanta Community ToolBank is open for tool lending by appointment only and trained users are still able to borrow the BCS Tractors + attachments. If you borrow the equipment, we ask that you limit the number of individuals who touch the equipment besides the authorized user(s). The Atlanta Community ToolBank continues to closely monitor the situation and adhere to best practices as put forward by trusted officials including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. As such, more modifications to their standing operations may be forthcoming. If you would like a refresher on best practices for using the BCS tractor, click here and scroll down to the videos at the bottom of the page.
Have more questions about the Tool Lending Program? Visit our Tool Lending FAQ page here.
How Does it Work?
As a sub-user of Food Well Alliance, all tool handling fees charged by the Atlanta Community ToolBank each time the tractors are borrowed will be covered by Food Well Alliance, as the member agency. To become an approved sub-user of Food Well Alliance at the Atlanta Community ToolBank, interested growers must:
Complete the online training registration form
Sign and submit a sub-user membership agreement and liability form with Food Well Alliance
Complete the training and certification
Pay a $50 annual sub-user membership fee for year-round access to two BCS tractors and attachments
Subscribe to all Atlanta Community ToolBank requirements and protocols.
Eligibility & Criteria
Urban farms and community gardens must be located in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.
Urban farms and community gardens must provide proof of land ownership, lease agreement, or other documented agreement that states permission to operate where the BCS tractor will be used.
Note: Training is on hold due to COVID-19
If you are interested in accessing the Urban Agriculture Tool Lending Program year-round by becoming a sub-user of Food Well Alliance’s membership at the Atlanta Community ToolBank, register below for upcoming BCS trainings. This hands-on training covers operation, transport, safety, and equipment security of the BCS Tractor and will last approximately 4 hours.
Please note:
Only the individual who registers and attends the training will be able to use the equipment.
BCS tractor trainings can accommodate a maximum of 10 growers per class.
If you are not accepted into your selected training class due to class size limitations, you will be waitlisted for upcoming trainings. Food Well Alliance will contact you to schedule accordingly.
