After launching our Farmers to Families CSA, which delivers free organic produce to over 200 families—nearly half being seniors and disabled residents—we discovered a deeper community need. Many of our senior recipients, living alone, shared how much they miss gardening, yearn for outdoor activities, and long for social connection. In response to these stories, we’ve developed a dedicated program that reconnects our senior residents with the joy and vitality of cultivating a relationship with nature in community.
For seniors aged 55 and up from Richmond and San Pablo, our new program gives them the space to learn accessible gardening methods, for all bodies, and explore plant-based crafts and wellness. Gardening Days for Seniors runs for seven weeks beginning November 4th, and is hosted at the Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center.
The program prioritizes low-impact activities designed to be gentle on the body, as well as creative projects like creating plant medicines and crafting projects. It provides both indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring accessibility with paved paths, shaded areas, and an ADA-compliant main hall to support participants of all physical abilities.
Led by our farm education manager Alana McCarthy and our Rudy Lozito Fellowship manager Daniela Tabora, the program includes hands-on herbalist workshops where seniors will learn to create salves and herbal teas, combining garden-based learning with a focus on self-care. With room for 20 participants, the program aims to foster a sense of community, offering seniors an opportunity to connect with others, engage in physical activity, and cultivate a life-giving relationship with nature.
Urban Tilth envisions growing this program beyond its initial launch, into an ongoing program that is offered throughout the year, with plans to relocate to the North Richmond Farm once ADA-accessible construction is complete. This Senior Gardening Program embodies our core mission: creating vibrant, healthy communities where seniors can thrive. More than just a gardening class, it’s a space where our elders can nurture their well-being, forge lasting friendships, and reconnect with the healing power of nature.
