Urban Agriculture Program

The citywide Urban Agriculture Program is an interagency program that supports and supplies the infrastructure for community members to steward our urban green spaces, on both public and private land. We believe that the act of growing food, flowers or animals in a city builds community, educates an urban public about the ecosystem and food system around them, connects people to nature, and encourages an active citizenry who believes in stewarding our green spaces.

The Urban Agriculture Program supports urban agriculture enthusiasts in a number of ways. Physical resources can be found through the Urban Ag Resource Centers, Semiannual Plant Giveaways, and Technical Assistance. Educational opportunities are offered once a month on topics related to urban agriculture (see “News, Events, and Reports” for more information). Finally, the program coordinator supports projects across city agencies and inter-agency cooperation, promotes urban agriculture policies and provides information.

Garden Resource Days

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's Urban Agriculture Program provides free materials for the backyard gardener, community gardener, or urban farmer through regularly scheduled Garden Resource Days. These events offer compost as well as mulch, seeds, plant starts and composting worms when available. They are a “bring-your-own-bucket” event and amounts are limited.  

Spring 2023 Garden Resource Days will be held on the following Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

         May 6                  June  24                  August 12                 September 16                 October 28  

There will be free compost, mulch, plant starts and seeds. Compost will be limited to two five-gallon buckets per person – bring your own buckets. Please note the new location at the overflow parking lot at Gleneagles Golf Course, adjacent to the McLaren Bike Park. See the map below or view at this link. A waiting line will form on the north side of the street. Please approach from east to take a right turn into the parking lot.  

Workshops and Special Events

April 22  Earth Day Celebration at Alemany Farm  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Celebrate Earth Day with your garden friends at Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Blvd.)  For more information, visit alemanyfarm.org

April 22  Build Healthy Soil with Compost   10 - 11:30 a.m.                             

Learn how compost can improve the soil in your garden so you can grow vegetables that are stronger and more resistant to disease and pests.  This workshop at Brooks Park Community Garden (373 Ramsell Street) will be led by Master Gardener volunteers from the University of California.  Cantonese language interpretation will be provided.   Please RSVP to communitygardens@sfgov.org. 

April 29  Ask a Master Gardener  10 a.m. to Noon                                                             

Join the Master Gardener volunteers from the University of California Cooperative Extension for a gardening Q&A, followed by a tour of garden plots at the Maria Manetti Shrem Community Garden (Bay St. and Larkin).  Please RSVP to communitygardens@sfgov.org.