Building the Farm in Phases
Our plan is to build the farm in five phases over four years giving us time to raise the funds we need to build our capacity to better serve our community.
Phase I – Fred Jackson Way Project, Underground Utilities and Site Grading
*Fred Jackson Way Project – COMPLETED: January 2023
*Phase I Utilities – DATE STARTED: May 2023 – EST. COMPLETION DATE: August 2024
As a part of Phase I, the Fred Jackson Way Project will replace the ditches along Fred Jackson Way (which runs adjacent to the North Richmond Farm) with a sidewalk, a bike lane, and rain gardens. Adding sidewalks and bike lanes from Wildcat Creek to Parr Blvd will ease access to the farm for local North Richmond residents and the rain gardens will filter the pollutants from the roadway sending cleaner, filtered rainwater to nearby San Pablo Creek.
We will also complete installation of the farm underground utilities and site grading. These are the first steps in the implementation of the ultimate farm design.
*Learn more about Phase I – the Fred Jackson Way Project and Site Utilities
Phase II – Farm Infrastructure
Start Date: October 2023
End Date: March 2025
During Phase II we will build all the facilities that help grow food: the greenhouse, the shade house, the tool shed, farm crew break room, lay down areas, soil sheds, all crop rows, and the 80 fruit trees to complete our orchard. We will also build the Watershed Learning Center and our beloved Compost Toilet.
Phase III – The Main Barn
Start Date: June 2025
End Date: December 2026
During this phase, we will build the “Main Barn”. This building will include the Community Resiliency Center which 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. It 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 a place so that 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.
Year around the building will offer an indoor produce wash and pack area, a farm store — a permanent place for people to come any day of the week to get fruit and vegetables and other products that we make and that our partners make and the Community Resiliency Center and Community Meeting Room where we can host events, workshops and community meetings.
Phase IV – Heart of the Farm
Anticipated Start Date: TBA
During Phase IV of construction we will build the cafe, community commercial kitchen, an amphitheater, and a permanent office for Urban Tilth.
Phase V – The Ohlone Reflection Garden
Anticipated Start Date: 2025
During Phase V, we will work with local Ohlone leaders to design and build the Ohlone Reflection Garden.
Invest in the Farm
Help transform the farm into a permanent, community-owned asset that will create opportunity, fuel resident-led organizing, and feed hearts and minds, spirits and bellies for generations to come.
Learn more about the Richmond Farm Project:
- Apply to Join the Community Advisory Committee
