COLLEGE FARM PROPOSAL ON TABLE; GROUP TO PRESS GOLF ALTERNATIVE.

Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer

Pierce College agriculture instructors will add their pitch for a profit-making farm to the slew of ideas awaiting the Los Angeles Community College board of trustees this week.

Ideas will be discussed at a public hearing Wednesday.

One thing is for sure, Pierce instructors say, they don't want a golf course.

``We've concentrated heavily on maximizing animal and environmental welfare,'' said report contributor Leland Shapiro, professor of animal and veterinary science. ``We have not, and we intend to continue not to use herbicides and chemical pesticides on our fields.''

At Wednesday's forum, to be held at the Woodland Hills campus, the board will hear from developers proposing to build a 175-acre professional golf course on Pierce's 240 acres of open space.

The proposal, submitted by a partnership between Eddie Milligan, owner of Hansen Dam Equestrian and pro golfer Jim Colbert of Qvale-Colbert, was recommended to the board by the Pierce Council, the college's governing board.

Backers say the deal will net the aging campus $800,000 per year in lease revenue and includes a $3 million upgrade to its agriculture and natural resources management programs with new classrooms and labs.

Agriculture instructors say a golf course won't be necessary.

In a 60-page, five-year business plan for an Agriculture and Environmental Teaching Laboratory released last week, they suggest various ways to make money, including:

Raising up to $750,000 per year in grants from such organizations as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Organic Farming Research Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Earning an average of $183,000 a year from selling organic produce and livestock.

Earning up to $60,000 per year by leasing property out for movie and television productions.

The proposal projects in its first year, 1999-2000, it could net $38,675, and by its fourth year, 2002-2003, a profit of $609,700.

The department plan, signed off by department Chairman Dick South, incorporated organic farm and endowment components proposed by members of Coalition to Save the Farm, Student Coalition to Save the Farm, Save Open Space and other groups.

``We've been getting very good response. Everyone we've given it to has been impressed by it,'' said Margo Murman, president of Coalition to Save the Farm.

Murman, a former Pierce student, and student Patrick O'Brien, co-wrote the proposal. Murman established the Dr. Clarence W. Pierce Endowment for Agriculture and Environmental Education in October.

The agriculture department's proposal was widely distributed last week to administrators, board trustees, lawmakers and community organizations.

``I glanced at it. It's an interesting concept,'' said Carmelita A. Thomas, Pierce's vice president of academic affairs and a Pierce Council member. ``Even if the Qvale/Colbert proposal is accepted, there will continue to be a farm. If (the department's proposal) is a viable concept, it could be incorporated into the farm.''

The board of trustees will be listening carefully to Jim Goodell, an asset management adviser in Pasadena. Trustees contracted him last month to lend expert advice on how to maximize the district's property, including the farm.

``My understanding is the campus really needs revenue and that was the driving force of this in the first place,'' Goodell said. ``Now, I don't know the history of this, but if the goal is to derive income for the campus, then you go with the plan that goes with that and one that is consistent with the academics on campus.''

Goodell, who has worked on high-profile projects such as Old Pasadena, the media district in Burbank and Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, reviewed excerpts from the agriculture department's plan Friday.

The public hearing will be held at Pierce College on Wednesday. Public session begins at 3:30 p.m. The campus is at 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills.