We welcome help from service groups of all ages. The diversity of the farm—from the annual crops to the orchard, native plant area and the pond habitat—makes for an interesting backdrop to a work session.
For the most part, we can only accommodate group visits on our regularly-scheduled volunteer workdays; we are also usually limited to hosting one group per workday. Rare exceptions to these general rules depend on volunteer coordinator availability. To check on our availability and plan your visit, please contact us via email at community.gardeners@gmail.com.
As we are a volunteer organization, donations are necessary to keep the farm running. Anything your organization can give will be greatly appreciated, but no group will be turned away for lack of funds. If your group can make a donation, checks should be made out to our fiscal sponsor, SF Parks Alliance, with “Friends of Alemany Farm” written in the memo line. You can also give through our online donation page.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the shelter-in-place order now in effect in San Francisco, there is no volunteering at Alemany Farm until further notice. This is part of the widespread effort to help control the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Please note that many City parks and green spaces remain open for the public to visit while observing social and physical distancing guidelines. Please be assured that the farm will be safely cared for by a small team of approved staff in the coming weeks, so that we can keep it thriving and productive until we can gather together again as a community. Find more farm updates.
You may still contact us about the possibility of scheduling potential farm visits for your group later in the season.
With your initial inquiry, please include:
1. Name or affiliation of your group, and your name and contact info (as the representative of your group)
2. Number of people to visit the farm in your group, and their general ages
3. Date and time your group proposes to visit the farm
Groups of 25 or more people:
If your group will consist of 25 or more people, additional requirements apply — Please see and follow the instructions of the “Permits” section below.
TYPICAL WORKDAY
When you come to one of our volunteer workdays as part of a group, we want you to have a great “Alemany Farm” experience. For this reason, we ask that your group arrive promptly at the beginning of the workday, follow the “What to Bring” instructions, and that your group stay to help with the work we will be doing that day. At the very beginning of the workday, we will provide your group an orientation tour to the Farm and to the work that will be done that day.
On the weekends we focus on the row crop production area and compost. On Mondays, in addition to row crop production, we’re also on the hillside, focusing on veggie production, orchard care, and water management. Depending upon the season, typical work activities include weeding or weed cutting, digging or trenching, mulching, composting, plant and seed planting, pruning, terracing, wheelbarrow hauling, laying irrigation and watering, building garden structures, and harvesting.
WHAT TO BRING
- Water Bottle
- Hat
- Sturdy Shoes
- Jacket with layered clothing underneath
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- A bag (to bring home some produce)
**Travel light! The farm is an open public space and we have no secure storage for bags. Leave valuables at home and be mindful of your personal belongings, as you would in any park setting.
PERMITS
In accordance with policy of the SF Recreation and Parks department, any group visit of 25 or more to Alemany Farm requires (1) 30 days’ advance notice, and (2) a permit.
To request the required permit, please send us an email at community.gardeners@gmail.com not less than 30 days before the date your group proposes to visit Alemany Farm. Once we confirm that we can host your group on the proposed date, we will give you directions for completing the RPD permit which you can do online or over the phone.
Be sure to include the following information in your email:
1. Name or affiliation of your group
2. Your name and contact info (as the representative of your group)
3. Number of people to visit the Farm in your group
4. The general ages of the members of your group who will visit the Farm (young adult, adult or retired adults)
5. Date your group proposes to visit the Farm (it must be a regular volunteer workday — see above)
6. Time your group would arrive
7. Time your group would depart
DIRECTIONS
By BART: Glen Park is the closest BART station. It is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bike to the farm. When exiting the station, cross Bosworth St, then turn right on Bosworth and follow it under the overpass. Bear left and follow Bosworth several blocks to Mission St. Cross Mission and head east on Murray St for 3 blocks until it ends at the entrance to Saint Mary’s Rec Center. Just inside the park entrance gate take an immediate right and follow the paved drive down the hill past the playground and the dog run, then bear left and down the walkway ramp to Alemany Blvd. The pedestrian gate to Alemany Farm is a few feet to the left.
Via bus from the Mission/Downtown SF: Take a 14 or 49 bus southbound on Mission Street to Bosworth (several blocks past 30th St). Cross Mission to Murray Street, then proceed along Murray and continue to the farm as described above.
You may search Google Maps for “Alemany Farm” to make your own route by bike, bus, or car.