Fox Point Farms: Inside California's Innovative Agrihood Community
- Jerry Paytas, Ph.D.
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
The concept of the "perfect neighborhood" has evolved over the decades. What if the ideal community wasn't built around a golf course or a swimming pool, but around a farm? Welcome to the "agrihood," a growing trend in community development that places agriculture at the heart of residential life. One of the most compelling examples of this model is Fox Point Farms in Encinitas, California.
Fox Point Farms is pioneering a unique vision for the modern neighborhood. It's a planned community that seamlessly blends 250 residential homes with a commercial center and a working farm.
More Than Just a Garden: A Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
What sets Fox Point Farms apart is its commitment to creating a truly integrated, circular economy. The centerpiece is a 5.5-acre farm that practices regenerative agriculture, an organic method that avoids chemicals and tillage to focus on the health of the soil's microbiome.
Integrated Farming: The regenerative agriculture farm is home to animals like a cow, pigs, goats, and chickens, which provide natural fertilizer for the soil. It also grows forage crops to feed the animals, creating a closed-loop system.
A Circular Economy: The community features multiple complementary businesses that support each other. The on-site brewery, Fox Point Brewing Co., gets its hops from the farm, and in return, the brewery's spent grain is used to enrich the soil. Produce grown on the farm supplies the farm-to-table restaurant, a local market, an apothecary, and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for residents. Any overflow produce is sold to local chefs.
A key distinction in their business model is the goal of financial independence. While many agrihoods subsidize their agricultural operations through HOA fees, Fox Point Farms aims for the farm and commercial hub to be self-sustaining. While the farm is still in its first year and currently losing money, its innovative model is designed for long-term viability.
Living Where Your Food Grows
The "hood" in this agrihood consists of 250 condo units that are fully integrated into the landscape. The homes, which have all been sold, started at a price point of $765,000.
Fox Point Farms has also incorporated affordable housing into its master plan. The development includes 40 affordable units designated for residents earning between 30% and 45% of the area's median income. These consist of one, two, and three-bedroom units, with rents projected to range from approximately $1,098 to $1,342, subject to change.
This blend of housing creates a diverse community centered around shared amenities and green spaces. Residents can enjoy views of the crops from their homes, participate in community events like happy hours and weekend brunch, and live just steps away from where their food is grown.
Setting the Standard for Agrihood Communities
Fox Point Farms represents more than just a housing development; it's a blueprint for a more sustainable, connected, and healthier way of living. By placing a working farm at its center, it re-establishes the vital link between people, their community, and the food they eat. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about agrihoods or other innovative development trends.
Learn more about Agrihoods
Fox Point Farms
Agriculture & Commercial: Fox Point Farms
Residential: Fox Point Farms Affordable Housing Website and Fox Point Farms | New Homes in Encinitas, CA
Others in California
Rancho Mission Viejo (Orange County): Often credited with popularizing the term "agrihood," this large-scale community south of Orange County has integrated farming into its villages of Sendero and Esencia. They offer community farms, gardening workshops, and farm-to-table events for residents.
The Cannery (Davis): Located in Northern California, The Cannery is built on the site of a former tomato cannery. It features a 7.4-acre urban farm run by a non-profit, focusing on agricultural education and providing produce for the community.
Agrihood (Santa Clara): This unique project in the heart of Silicon Valley focuses on intergenerational living, combining affordable housing for seniors and veterans with a community farm. It's a dense, urban take on the agrihood concept, demonstrating how agriculture can be woven into city life.
Live Oak Farm (Petaluma): A more recent and upscale addition in Sonoma County, this community consists of a small number of large homesites centered around a common area with a pavilion for events and access to the farm.
Across the United States
Agritopia (Gilbert, Arizona): One of the earliest and most well-known examples, Agritopia is a vibrant community with an 11-acre certified organic farm at its center. It also includes several restaurants, a coffee shop, and a makerspace, creating a lively town hub.
Serenbe (Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia): Located near Atlanta, Serenbe is a large, wellness-focused community with a 25-acre organic farm. It's known for its beautiful architecture, arts and culture programming, and strong emphasis on connecting residents with nature.
Willowsford (Ashburn, Virginia): This expansive community outside of Washington, D.C., dedicates a significant portion of its 4,000 acres to open space and a working farm. It offers a robust CSA program, a farm stand, and numerous community events centered around food and nature. See also Willowsford Conservancy.
Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, Illinois): A pioneering conservation community near Chicago, Prairie Crossing features a 100-acre organic farm that also functions as a training ground for new farmers. It was designed with a strong focus on preserving open land and environmental sustainability.
South Village (South Burlington, Vermont): Vermont's first agrihood, this community is centered around a 4-acre organic farm and emphasizes green building practices. It also includes a large solar array that contributes power to the wider city.
