North Richmond Farm

Construction News

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Hello Doria,

Urban Tilth is so excited to welcome you to the new North Richmond Farm Construction newsletter. Over the next 5 years we will be building the dream of the North Richmond Farm and we would like to invite you this powerful journey with us.

Through this quarterly newsletter we will share images, video and updates from the farm, now construction site. We will also share our recent accomplishments and goals for the next quarter. Join us as we create a new North Richmond community anchor that will seed healing, connection, self-determination, and opportunity for generations to come.

With so much excitement and joy,

Urban Tilth

Construction News

2024 Topping Out Ceremony

A major milestone at the North Richmond Farm

On March 22, 2024, Urban Tilth marked a major milestone in transforming the skyline and culture of North Richmond. Over 60 community members, our construction and design teams, staff, and major donors came together to celebrate raising the last beam of the Phase II farm construction.

A ”topping out” ceremony is a construction tradition that has been occurring in some fashion for centuries as a celebration of project milestones. Traditionally, this ceremony occurs when the final structural beam is raised into place, completing the building’s frame.

Learn more about The North Richmond Farm Project...

Construction is Underway!

Accomplishments

January - June 2024

Phases I Utilities & Brookside Dr. Frontage Improvements

Completed all Phase I installation of all municipal water and electrical infrastructure
Complete Phase I sanitary sewer pumps and electrical control panel installed
PG&E approved electrical designs for Phases 2 and 3, and for Brookside pole relocation
Began Brookside Drive Frontage Improvements

Completed Nabeta Annex Site Clean-Up

Properly disposed of 80 cubic yards of plastic and debris mixed with soil left by previous rental businesses on Nabeta property
Gravel removed from 0.2 acre at Nabeta property in preparation for new crop area

Set-up Temporary Facilities at the Nabeta Annex

Completed moving and installing all Nabeta Annex temporary facilities so that Urban Tilth food access (CSA, VeggieRX and FREE Farm Stands), urban agriculture, fruit tree distribution and Just Transition programs can continue on site as construction moves forward. This includes:

Office trailer move
Cooler move
Vegetable wash & pack rebuild
355 Brookside clean up

Hosted 4 Community Build Volunteer Days

Hosted 4 Community Build Volunteer Days to help build the Watershed Workshop,

a Phase II building made partly by using natural building techniques. Progression has been completed as follows:

May 8th, 9th & 10th: Created the Light Straw Clay blocks needed for wall insulation
June 22nd: Installed clay plaster coat on the north wall of the Watershed Workshop

Learn More

Snapshots from the Site

Construction Goals

July - September 2024

Complete Phase 2: Finish Installation and Construction of:

NEW Permanent Greenhouse
Native Plant Nursery
Sweet Spot (Honey Extraction Room)
Farms Shed and farm crew break room
Watershed Workshop
Compost Toilet
Section #1: History Walk
Crop Row Outdoor Classroom
Orchard Outdoor Classroom

Complete Brookside Drive Frontage Improvements

A new sidewalk!
Curb and gutter
Driveway
Rain gardens

Expand the Farm Growing Space

Begin the process of growing soil in the new crop row area and install a new water conserving irrigation system at the Nabeta Annex

Launch Oral History Project

Collect the first round of oral histories with Local elders for the History Walk Oral History Project

Expand VeggieRX Infrastructure

Purchase and install 2nd walk in cooler and supporting infrastructure

Raise funds needed to:

Purchase a second walk-in cooler so that we can expand Veggie RX to 100 more local medical patients
Close all funding gaps to complete Construction of Phase II and launch Phase III

Learn More

Help Keep Construction Moving Forward!

The Community Resiliency Center at the North Richmond Farm will be equipped with a special HVAC system and air filters so it can be used as a Breathing Center when wildfires threaten our air or during other clean air emergencies.

This building will also have a solar and battery back-up system so that it can keep the refrigerators and HVAC going for up to 3 days without electricity from the grid.

This essential infrastructure will be in place so we can train local residents year around in CPR, first-aid and general emergency response, as well as be a much needed safe harbor during emergencies.

Keep construction moving ahead!

Help us build a Community Resiliency Center in North Richmond!

Your contribution will help us build the largest building on site that we lovingly call the "Main Barn" which is also designed as a Community Resiliency Center.

This key building will include:

The Farm Stand (Farm Store)

Offering fresh fruits and vegetables to North Richmond 7 days a week

An expanded wash and pack

Equip with more produce cold storage space so we can connect with more small sustainable farmers and get more healthy food to people in need

A Community Room

Creating a space where community members can hold community meetings, events, workshops, youth and adult programs year around

Children's Garden

Designed for kids under 10 years old that will include a mud kitchen and plenty of play and learning spaces

*Learn more about the North Richmond Farm Project

Make a Contribution

Help Expand VeggieRX!

By contributing to this campaign you will be helping to pay for the infrastructure needed to bring produce prescriptions to 100 more low income residents each week (48 weeks a year) who suffer from chronic illness. Here is what we need: