Lush view of Alemany Farm from the hillside orchard. Photo by Theresa Ferrigno.
Keep Alemany Farm thriving and resilient with
a year-end gift to Friends of Alemany Farm.
Dear Farm Friends,
We’re very fond of this photo–taken by a past intern–which frames the farm and its environs in abundant foliage of pineapple guava, citrus, and other fruit trees on the hillside. But it belies the reality of the harsh elements we often need to contend with; at Alemany Farm, this was a year that started in water and ended in fire. In between, though, there was flourishing, big changes, big impact, and community resilience.
Do you remember back in January of 2023 when the rains just would not stop? There was widespread flooding in the city, but also a remarkable resilience at our site and in our community.
At the farm, the rains caused significant erosion on the unmanaged western hillside, but our fruit tree orchard held tight and kept the steep northern hillside largely in place. People were kayaking in the streets of SOMA as we watched our pond fill up and provide key water catchment for the farm. As a community, we built a waterway to divert hillside flow around the willow, and placed sandbags as stepping stones across our soggy parking lot. As climate chaos continues to increase unusual weather events, this moment of coming together and working in community to manage water flow was an especially inspiring–if waterlogged–moment.
And as we reported to you recently, earlier this month we faced a destructive fire in our toolshed complex. Despite the significant loss of supplies and structures, we’ve been buoyed by the tremendous support of our community and partners, and are beginning to plan for rebuilding and restocking.
Be part of our resilience: Make a gift to help keep Alemany Farm bountiful and thriving with community no matter what 2024 brings.
Help us grow food security, educate local residents on how to become their own food producers, and build community week by week in our flourishing garden.
Your gift will support:
- Growing, harvesting, and distributing fresh produce for free in SF year-round
- Internship programs and paid apprenticeship to grow the next generation of food system and environmental leaders
- Community workdays and farm visits open to all
- Maintaining a nourishing public green space and habitat
- Local, grassroots action and resilience
Check out our 2023 Quick Facts for a snapshot of what we’ve been up to in these areas in the past year.
Thank you for your consideration. Wishing you peace and resilience in the solstice season and the new year.
The Farm Team