In September 2020 we launched the Capital Campaign to begin building out the North Richmond Farm Project. Our initial goal was to raise the $400,000 we would need to purchase the land the farm is on and to have the funds necessary to mount a capital campaign. In September 2021 we were so excited to announce that the transfer of the land deed from Contra Costa County to Urban Tilth. Our plan is to keep moving forward on building a permanent hub for the regionally local food system at the North Richmond Farm and begin the process of transitioning the land into Community Ownership with democratic governance. Thank you to the donors and funders who helped us achieve our first milestone- raising seed money to jumpstart the New North Richmond Farm.

Our first construction project is to make the farm accessible to pedestrians and bikers by updating over a mile of Fred Jackson Way transforming it into safe, accessible green space. In our first phase, we’ll also refresh the utilities on the farm to accommodate our growth.

During Phase II, we will begin construction on the new, permanent greenhouse, the Watersheds Learning Center, compost toilet and outdoor classrooms. We’ll also double the growing capacity of the Farm by expanding our fruit tree orchard and doubling the number of crop rows.

During Phase III, the Community Resiliency Center that we refer to as the “Main Barn” will be built. “Main Barn” will be home to the Farm Store which will provide fresh local affordable or free produce to residents 7 days a week, as well as an interior wash and pack to support expanded fruit and vegetable preparation, packing and distribution and offer a community room for resident-organized meetings and events. This building will also serve as a Community Resiliency Center offering the community a place to shelter during emergencies. It will be equipped with HEPA air filtration system so it can be a refuge for those suffering from respiratory illnesses during an air quality event. It will have the ability to operate during power outages for up to 3 days using solar panels and our battery back up system. It will also offer cold storage for food and medicine and we are working out arrangement to access additional emergency equipment and facilities such as mobile restrooms and showers in the event of an extended emergency. In late Spring of 2025 it is imperative that we complete the foundations for the Main Barn / Resiliency Center building in order to activate our building permit. $2.3M is needed in 2025 to pay for this essential work.