Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Strategic Plan Consultant – Farm Partnership Program
City of Green, OH, County of Summit
Issue Date: August 6, 2026, Submission Deadline: September 10, 2026
Contact for Questions: Sarah Haring, Community Development Administrator, City of Green, OH; Sharing@cityofgreen.org ; 330-896-6614
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1. Project Overview
The City of Green is seeking qualifications from experienced consultants to assist in the development of a Strategic Plan for the city’s existing farm program partnership located at the historic Levi J. Hartong Farmstead complex in city-owned Southgate Park.
Inspired by the innovative land use model developed by Countryside Conservancy in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the city developed a sustainable farm partnership program with multiple benefits:
1. Operate the historic farmstead for production of locally grown food using sustainable practices
2. Promote historic preservation
3. Provide community engagement opportunities
In 2019, the city developed a competitive RFP, and in 2020 approved a 10-year lease of the Hartong farmstead to Rachel Bellis and Justin Turner.
The approximately 20-acre farm complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operated through a public-private partnership with Southgate Farm LLC. The program is currently in its sixth year and has demonstrated strong community value and long-term potential.
While the farm partner manages day-to-day agricultural operations and long-range farm planning, the City retains responsibility for stewardship of the property, infrastructure, capital improvements, and overall program oversight. Administration of the program currently involves coordination between the Planning and Public Service departments.
The Sustainable Farm Partnership Program at Southgate Farm represents an innovative model for how local governments can steward historic land while advancing community sustainability goals. Over the past six years, the initiative has transformed the historic property into a vibrant working landscape that contributes to the local food system, provides educational programming, and reconnects residents with Green’s agricultural heritage. As the partnership matures and looks toward a potential multi-decade future, Green sees an opportunity to thoughtfully strengthen the framework that supports the program—ensuring clear governance, coordinated municipal support, and strategic investment in the historic site.
This project will focus on the City’s role in managing and sustaining the partnership, rather than on agricultural operations or farm production planning.
2. Why This Project Matters Now
The Sustainable Farm Partnership Program has reached an important moment in its evolution. After six years of successful operation, the program has demonstrated strong community value and the potential to remain a long-term initiative on city-owned land. As discussions will soon begin around the renewal of the existing lease, the city recognizes the need to establish a clear and durable framework for how the program will be supported, managed, and sustained over time.
At the same time, the historic farm complex requires thoughtful stewardship and strategic investment. Identifying and prioritizing capital improvements for the site—while balancing historic preservation, agricultural use, and public access—will be essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the property.
Additionally, Green anticipates a leadership transition within the program in approximately 18 months, presenting an opportunity to capture institutional knowledge and ensure that roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes are clearly defined across departments.
Developing a strategic plan at this stage will allow the City of Green and Southgate Farm to strengthen the foundation of the program and position it for continued success in the decades ahead.
3. About the Farmers
Rachel Bellis graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a B.S. in Biology with honors. A love of learning about the natural world and an interest in food-as-medicine led her to working on small-scale organic farms in California, Missouri, Virginia and Cincinnati, OH before co-founding Southgate Farm LLC with husband Justin Turner.
Engineer by day, farmer by night, Justin shares Rachel’s passion for sustainability – particularly renewable energy. At the farm he is compost master, general fixer and primary animal caretaker.
Rachel & Justin’s team also includes a 4-year-old tiny farmer and the farm dog, Josie.
A key focus for this strategic planning exercise is the acknowledgment that while Southgate Farm LLC is publicly owned land, it is also Rachel & Justin’s home. Their work encompasses family, historic preservation, community engagement, food production and parkland/ecological conversation. As well, Rachel is living out a personal commitment to cultivate a vibrant local food economy and agricultural community which encompasses not only partnership with other small businesses, but mentorship work with dozens of potential farmers. The commitment to this work is central to the motivation behind this exercise. With a strategic plan in place, Southgate Farm LLC will be able to more fully focus on the farm’s mission and vision.
4. About the City
The City of Green is a vibrant and growing community committed to sustainability, historic preservation, and community building. With a population of approximately 27,000 residents, the city offers a rich blend of small-town amenities, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage.
The city places a high priority on community engagement, environmental stewardship, and preserving historic assets while supporting innovative public-private partnerships that enhance the quality of life for residents. The Sustainable Farm Partnership Program exemplifies the city’s commitment to these values, offering a unique opportunity for a consultant to help shape a long-term model for managing historic public parkland in a sustainable and community-centered way.
Working with the City of Green provides consultants the chance to contribute to projects with lasting impact, collaborate with dedicated municipal staff, and help position Green as a leader in sustainable small-scale agriculture and historic property stewardship.
4. Project Goals
The overarching goal of the project is to enhance and ensure the value of the Sustainable Farm Partnership Program, the farm, and the property as a community asset. Specific goals include:
• Clarify roles and responsibilities across City departments
• Establish an effective governance and coordination framework
• Identify and prioritize capital improvements for the historic farm complex, specifically those that enhance and showcase the value of agriculture, resilience, and sustainability as part of the overall vision for the City of Green.
• Strengthen long-term management of the public-private partnership
• Support continuity as program leadership transitions
• Align the program with broader City priorities, including sustainability, historic preservation, parks programming, and community engagement
5. Site Description
Southgate Farm operates within city-owned Southgate Park and is a historic farm complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a collection of historic agricultural buildings and landscape features, including a farmhouse, barns, and supporting outbuildings.
The property retains its historic rural character while functioning as an active working farm, and community resource. It currently supports agricultural production, educational programming, and community engagement through the Sustainable Farm Partnership Program. The city seeks strategic guidance to help balance historic preservation, agricultural use, public access, and long-term program sustainability.
6. Scope of Services
Program Review and Assessment - Review existing agreements, governance structures, departmental roles, and property stewardship responsibilities. Evaluate current capital needs and relevant City policies.
Stakeholder Engagement - Facilitate engagement with City departments, farm partners, historic preservation/parks stakeholders, and community partners.
Governance and Coordination Framework - Recommend roles, responsibilities, coordination processes, decision-making structures, and long-term partnership management strategies.
Capital Planning Framework - Identify and prioritize capital investments for facilities, historic preservation, and public programming. Recommend phasing and potential funding strategies. Identify and prioritize capital investment for onsite renewable energy generation at the farm and/or for energy efficiency, improved energy performance, etc. within farm facilite.
Strategic Plan Development - Develop a final strategic plan including vision, governance framework, capital priorities, implementation roadmap, and recommended timelines.
7. Key Strategic Questions
Governance and Organizational Structure - What governance structure best supports a long-term public-private partnership on City-owned land? How should departmental responsibilities be clearly defined?
Long-Term Partnership Management - What roles should the city retain versus delegate? How can oversight and accountability be structured for durability?
Capital Planning, Historic Stewardship, Sustainability and Resiliance - What capital improvements are needed for long-term viability? How should historic preservation be balanced with agricultural and public use? How can resilience be embedded as an example for the community’s future needs within its historical context?
Program Sustainability - What structures will support the program over a multi-decade horizon? How can continuity be ensured during leadership transitions? What metrics should evaluate success?
8. Existing Materials Available to the Consultant
• Farm Initiative RFP/Southgate Farm Proposal
• Lease agreement
• Southgate Farm AFR (Annual Farm Report) 2020 to present
• Property/Park acquisition information/Covenants of Deeds & Restrictions
• National Register Listing Nomination Form
• Parks Master Plan
City staff will provide additional institutional knowledge via meetings with current leadership and department staff.
9. Project Budget
The city anticipates funding the project in the range of $15,000 depending on scope and approach. Consultants should include a preliminary cost estimate or fee structure, including total project cost, fee structure (lump sum, hourly, or phased), and optional tasks if applicable. The city may refine the scope to align with the available budget.
10. How to Apply
Qualified consultants are requested to submit a proposal that includes the following:
a. Cover Letter
b. Qualifications/Expertise
c. Project team & roles
d. Relevant project experience
e. Estimated Timeline & Budget
f. Budget Proposal
g. References (minimum 3)
11. Evaluation Criteria
Criteria Points
Relevant experience with strategic planning, public-private partnerships, or similar projects 30
Understanding of project and proposed approach 25
Qualifications and experience of project team 20
Experience working with local governments or complex stakeholders 15
References from similar projects 10
Total 100
The city may invite a shortlist of consultants for interviews prior to final selection.
12. Project Schedule (Anticipated)
• RFQ Release: August 3, 2026
• Submissions Due: September 10, 2026
• Consultant Selection: November 12, 2026
• Project Kickoff: January, 2027
The city anticipates completing the strategic planning process within 9-12 months.