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Loma Rica Organic Farm held an annual Harvest Festival at the property at the corner of Brunswick and Idaho-Maryland roads in Grass Valley.
The Loma Rica Ranch organic farm — part of a planned development touted as a model for Sierra foothill neighborhoods — has been closed, and its seven farm workers have lost their jobs.
The Grass Valley farm was the cornerstone of a multi-use development that has been seven years in various stages of planning and review.
But Friday, it fell victim to the slow economy and financial challenges that already have cost project backers an estimated $14 million, developers said.
“The organic farm has been a great asset to the community these past few years, and we hate to disappoint our local customers,” said Phil Carville, president of Carville Sierra Inc., which represents the developers. “The farm is still an integral part of the master-planned community and the centerpiece of the Loma Rica Ranch project.”
That project, which has been pared from an original 900 to 700 dwellings (including houses, condominiums and apartments), is still in environmental review, a process that Carville expects to be completed within the next two months. If approved, the 452 acres also will include a village center, business park, retail space, open space and trails.
Last March, Carville and the project were presented with the Vision 2020 Award by the Sierra Business Council, recognizing innovation in community planning.
Carville has been working with the project's financial backers, the Ronald Getty Trust and a group that includes retired Judge Bill Newsom, father of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported the J. Paul Getty Trust was working to address investment losses of more than $1 billion sustained during the economic downturn.
The historic ranch was once the home of Idaho-Maryland Mine tycoon Errol MacBoyle. In 1933, MacBoyle began construction of what was called Loma Rica Rancho, where thoroughbred race horses trained.
Noor, an Irish-bred champion who set three world records and upset Triple Crown Champion Citation four out of five times, is buried in the middle of the track.
The certified organic farm, operated by Phil Carville's wife Belinda, has operated since 2005. Its large barns can be seen from Brunswick Road, and the farm hosted seasonal celebrations, including the just-completed Harvest Festival, which attracted 3,000 to 4,000 people each year.
The Loma Rica Ranch Gazette had a mailing list in the thousands, said Carville.
“Loma Rica Ranch's current ownership remains in place, and plans are still moving forward to bring the visionary, walkable-sustainable community to western Nevada County,” read a press release from Carville Sierra Inc.
“Purchased in 2002 and currently undergoing environmental review, Loma Rica Ranch is envisioned as an all-inclusive, pedestrian-friendly community where home, shopping, work and recreation come together in one setting.”
The development plans call for more than 70 percent of the land to be dedicated to parks and open space.
Carville said a caretaker will remain to look after the orchards and structures.
To contact Editor/Publisher Jeff Ackerman, e-mail jackerman@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4299.
The Grass Valley farm was the cornerstone of a multi-use development that has been seven years in various stages of planning and review.
But Friday, it fell victim to the slow economy and financial challenges that already have cost project backers an estimated $14 million, developers said.
“The organic farm has been a great asset to the community these past few years, and we hate to disappoint our local customers,” said Phil Carville, president of Carville Sierra Inc., which represents the developers. “The farm is still an integral part of the master-planned community and the centerpiece of the Loma Rica Ranch project.”
That project, which has been pared from an original 900 to 700 dwellings (including houses, condominiums and apartments), is still in environmental review, a process that Carville expects to be completed within the next two months. If approved, the 452 acres also will include a village center, business park, retail space, open space and trails.
Last March, Carville and the project were presented with the Vision 2020 Award by the Sierra Business Council, recognizing innovation in community planning.
Carville has been working with the project's financial backers, the Ronald Getty Trust and a group that includes retired Judge Bill Newsom, father of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported the J. Paul Getty Trust was working to address investment losses of more than $1 billion sustained during the economic downturn.
The historic ranch was once the home of Idaho-Maryland Mine tycoon Errol MacBoyle. In 1933, MacBoyle began construction of what was called Loma Rica Rancho, where thoroughbred race horses trained.
Noor, an Irish-bred champion who set three world records and upset Triple Crown Champion Citation four out of five times, is buried in the middle of the track.
The certified organic farm, operated by Phil Carville's wife Belinda, has operated since 2005. Its large barns can be seen from Brunswick Road, and the farm hosted seasonal celebrations, including the just-completed Harvest Festival, which attracted 3,000 to 4,000 people each year.
The Loma Rica Ranch Gazette had a mailing list in the thousands, said Carville.
“Loma Rica Ranch's current ownership remains in place, and plans are still moving forward to bring the visionary, walkable-sustainable community to western Nevada County,” read a press release from Carville Sierra Inc.
“Purchased in 2002 and currently undergoing environmental review, Loma Rica Ranch is envisioned as an all-inclusive, pedestrian-friendly community where home, shopping, work and recreation come together in one setting.”
The development plans call for more than 70 percent of the land to be dedicated to parks and open space.
Carville said a caretaker will remain to look after the orchards and structures.
To contact Editor/Publisher Jeff Ackerman, e-mail jackerman@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4299.
