The seeds of this project were planted by the University of California Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County (UCCE-LA), which is part of the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Since its establishment by federal legislation in 1914, Cooperative Extension across the country has served as the local arm of land grant universities in each state, providing research-based information at the community level.

Historically, Cooperative Extension has been focused on helping farmers adjust to changing conditions and adoption of new technologies.

UCCE-LA works primarily with commercial-scale farmers in the high desert areas of the county, however recent interest in urban agriculture has prompted them to investigate and consider how they can better respond to this emerging client group.