North Richmond Farm Construction Update:

A Wrap-Up of Progress in 2024

2024 Accomplishments

October - December
Landscaping and NEW Irrigation: Installed irrigation systems and planted native species along the History Walk with help from enthusiastic volunteers and plants grown by the Watersheds Team.
Bioretention Planters and NEW Greenhouse: Built sidewalks with bioretention planters on Brookside Drive and erected the main greenhouse. Summer Youth Apprentices contributed by plastering building projects.
July - September
Volunteer Efforts and Infrastructure: Hosted a Volunteer Build Day to plaster the Watershed Workshop. Poured concrete for a driveway, rain garden planters, and Phase 2 parking curbs.
April - June
History Walk and New Crop Rows: Began work on the History Walk and outdoor classrooms while planting new crop rows to keep farm operations thriving.
Eco-Friendly Wall Insulation: Created Light Straw Clay insulation for the Watershed Workshop, blending sustainability with community participation.
January - March
Phase 2 Buildings go up!: Installed heavy timber trusses, completed the Farm Annex, and celebrated a “Topping Out” milestone as several key buildings took shape.
Foundations and Utilities: Poured footings for Phase 2 buildings and installed sewer, water, and storm drain systems to support future growth!

As you can see, this year has been a transformative journey for the North Richmond Farm, filled with sustainable building milestones, vibrant planting days, and the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community partners.

Your end-of-year donation can be the key to completing Phase 2 and launching us into the next critical stage of building The North Richmond Farm. By contributing now, you'll help us build a stronger, more vibrant, and sustainable future for everyone.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

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2025 Goals

Secure funding to finalize Phase II construction.
Successfully complete the final six weeks of Phase II construction.
Begin the construction Phase III, which will include building the Community Resiliency Center—a versatile space to hold the farm stand, offer classes, activities, and emergency response efforts.

Bringing the Farm To Life

Farm Volunteers Plant Along the History Walk

During the Rooted in History Planting Day at the North Richmond Farm, over 25 community members came together for an inspiring day of planting, learning, and connecting with local history. Together, they planted 160 native and drought-tolerant additions to the History Walk, including fragrant rosemary, three types of lavender, and three vibrant shades of yarrow in red, yellow, and white. The white yarrow, lovingly cultivated by our Watershed Restoration crew, and the English lavender, grown by the Farm Collective, showcased the collaborative spirit that defines this project.

The History Walk, a central feature of the farm’s construction plan, is designed to guide visitors through the site while honoring the rich and diverse history of North Richmond and the Ohlone people. Once completed, it will weave storytelling elements from the Richmond Museum, community elders, indigenous residents, and local artists into a pathway that highlights themes such as social justice, ethnic migration, agriculture, and the contributions of women. Planting days like this one are not only integral to the farm's development but also reflect the heart of the final product—a vibrant, educational, and community-centered space.

Volunteer at the Farm!

Launched After School at the Farm Program

The construction of the North Richmond Farm and the After School at the Farm program go hand in hand, bringing the farm's vision to life as a space for people of all ages.

Even though the outdoor classrooms are still under construction, they are already being used by children in the afters chool program, offering a glimpse of the vibrant future we’re building—a farm full of activity for everyone, from young children to older generations.

The finished farm will include a “kids' garden” with a mud kitchen, a demo creek for hands-on watershed work, and a rainwater collection system, creating an environment where education and sustainability thrive together. By aligning construction with programming, we’re creating more than just a farm—we’re building an inclusive space for all generations to learn, grow, and connect.

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New Infrastructure Creates New Possibilities! Launching the Senior Gardening Program

After launching our Farmers to Families CSA, which delivers free organic produce to over 200 families, many of whom are seniors and disabled residents, we identified a deeper need in the community. Seniors, many living alone, expressed a longing to reconnect with gardening and the outdoors, as well as the desire for social interaction. In response, we created a Senior Gardening Program to provide a space for seniors aged 55 and up from Richmond and San Pablo to engage in accessible gardening activities and wellness practices.

Currently, the program is hosted at the Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center, offering low-impact, body-friendly gardening activities along with plant-based crafts and wellness workshops. Our goal is to relocate this program to the North Richmond Farm, where Phase 2 construction is creating the ADA-compliant spaces needed to accommodate seniors with varying physical abilities. The NEW Dr. Henry Clark Plaza, once completed, will serve as the new site for senior gardening classes, providing more space for connection, learning, and growth.

To ensure accessibility for all participants, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with paratransit services, which has agreed to provide free transportation for seniors attending the program. This collaboration removes transportation barriers, making it easier for seniors to engage in these meaningful activities.

We're working hard to raise the funds needed to complete the construction so that our seniors can fully participate at the farm. This exciting new infrastructure will make the farm an inclusive environment where our elders can cultivate and share their rich gardening knowledge while nurturing vital relationships with others, both young and old.

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Community Resilience Center

During Phase III, the Community Resiliency Center that we refer to as the “Main Barn” will be built. The Community Resiliency Center will serve as a hub for North Richmond, offering a range of services and activities aimed at strengthening the community’s resiliency. It will house the only produce store in the area, providing residents with access to fresh, locally grown food 7 days a week. The Resiliency center will also feature a dedicated Community Room that can be used by Urban Tilth, our local organizations and residents to offer a variety of activities and classes, including emergency response training (CERT), first aid certification, and essential workshops to promote overall well-being.

In addition to its educational role, the center will support the Farm’s CSA program with a designated indoor space for washing and packing produce and larger cold storage unit. In times of crisis, the Community Resiliency Center will transform into an emergency response facility, serving as a cooling and breathing center, equipped with special HVAC systems, AC cooling, and backup solar power to ensure the community’s safety and comfort during emergencies. This versatile space is designed to be a cornerstone of resilience, fostering both day-to-day activities and providing support during critical events.

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