Rotating crops at Richmond High School. Courtesy: Urban Tilth

Our neighbors at Urban Tilth have been working hard to cultivate a more sustainable and equitable food system. Led by Executive Director Doria Robinson since 2007, the organization has been actively involved in transforming vacant lots, schoolyards, and other underutilized spaces in Richmond, California into thriving urban farms and gardens. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities through education, urban agriculture, and advocacy for healthy, affordable food.   

Their local efforts include Orchard for All!, a community orchard created from hundreds of Richmond backyards aimed at increasing access to healthy, delicious fruit for families who struggle with food insecurity.  They also launched Greenway Gardens, a network of urban farms and community gardens throughout Richmond open for gleaning, and community participation, education and learning.   

After nine years of planning, Urban Tilth began construction on an innovative new project: the North Richmond Farm. This state-of-the-art facility aims to create a central hub for community events, class visits, recreational activities, and will increase Urban Tilth’s growing and food distribution capacity.   It will also create twice as many jobs for local residents. The Farm will also have a Cooperative Café and a community commercial kitchen to support local food entrepreneurs and teach youth to start and run small businesses.   Stay tuned for the grand opening!  

Check out this 4-minute groovy fly-through video of the new North Richmond Farm. Relax to the beats as you see their ambitious plans for our community.