Tucked right in the middle of San Luis Obispo is City Farm SLO! City Farm SLO is a 501(c)(3) organization that has stewarded nineteen acres of the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve since 2013. Thirteen acres are sublet to small-scale, independent farmers and the other six acres are farmed by the nonprofit through volunteer work and youth education programs.
Last year, City Farm SLO distributed 14,527 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables! 10,430 of those pounds went to local food banks and pantries, helping to provide access to fresh food to those who need it. Their farmstand is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, and features a variety of delicious seasonal produce. Everything I’ve had from the farm is exceptionally good, it’s the perfect place to get ideas for dinner or grab a refreshing snack.
One of their main missions is to provide hands-on experiences connecting kids to food and where it comes from. They offer a youth empowerment program, field trips, therapeutic horticulture, and college corps. All of this plays an important role in getting young people interested in agriculture as well as providing a safe and productive place to spend time outside and get their hands dirty.
I’m a member of the Pismo Beach Rotary Satellite Club, and our first community service project was an afternoon helping out at City Farm SLO. We all had such a great time helping turn over garden beds, pruning tomato plants, and feeding goats and sheep. They put a lot of emphasis on having fun with the work and engaging with the process, making the afternoon feel very rewarding. Plus, we had a yummy midday snack of tomatoes, cucumber, blackberries, and raspberries straight off the plant! To sign up for a volunteer shift, check out the City Farm SLO website. They also offer tours, birthday parties, and private events!
There are many ways to support City Farm SLO, including donations, volunteering, or stocking your pantry at the farmstand. Check out their website for more information on how to get involved!
City Farm SLO
cityfarmslo.org
1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Farmstand hours:
Wednesday 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm