But he can't use dogs. Southern California Edison doesn't want its employees attacked when they work on the lines, so dogs aren't allowed. This lack of security is compounded by the unavailability of insurance for Weiss. The cost of insurance is so prohibitive that he and other small city farmers in the same position must shoulder losses themselves. There are still more extraordinary costs associated with urban farming.
Farming equipment is hard to obtain and move around.
There are no suppliers of fertilizer, seeds and other necessities nearby. And land and water are very expensive. The Department of Water and Power has a special agricultural rate for farmers who have five acres or more, said a spokesman for the department. But it's steep by rural standards. Weiss said his water bill has doubled since he started five years ago.