FAQ

1. Where is Hayes Valley Farm?
   We are located in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood, in the city block formed between Oak, Octavia, Fell, and Laguna Streets. Our main entrance is located at 450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. View a map. We're accessible from BART Civic Center Station and bus lines 6, 21, 22, and 71.
   
   
2. What are your hours of operation?
   Sundays: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
   Thursdays: 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
   
   
3. What goes on at Hayes Valley Farm?
   We host volunteer work hours on Sunday and Thursday afternoons, which involve plantings, soil-building projects, and other farm activities. There are educational opportunities for all ages, from kids' days (Magic Mondays) to classes and workshops in urban gardening basics, beekeeping, sustainable landscape design, fruit tree care, and more. We also host community events, such as yoga classes, outdoor film screenings, and photo clubs. Many of these activities are free and don't require signing up. View our Calendar to see what events and classes are coming up.
   
   
4. How can I get involved? Can I still participate if I don't have any gardening experience or tools?
   You can show up to our regular volunteer work hours on Sunday and Thursday afternoons. No need to sign up in advance. You don't need any gardening experience or tools. You can also check out our Calendar for upcoming events and classes. If you're not interested in getting dirty, there are other ways get involved with the farm, such as taking photos, painting murals, greeting visitors, organizing events, wrangling resources, you name it. Just stop by the farm and let us know what you'd like to do.
   
   
5. What should I bring to volunteer on the farm?
   Please bring warm clothing that you don't mind getting a little dirty, sturdy shoes, a water bottle, snacks (if you'll get hungry), and a positive attitude. We have tools on site, but we can always use extras, so if you happen to have them, please bring wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, tarps, cardboard, and heavy working gloves.
   
   
6. Why are you creating an urban farm in Hayes Valley?
   There are many reasons, such as building community, advancing Mayor Gavin Newson's Directive for Healthy and Sustainable Food for San Francisco, raising awareness around sustainability and urban agriculture, offering educational opportunities for children and adults, reviving a vacant lot, providing green job training, beautifying the neighborhood, and having fun.
   
   
7. How did the project get started? Who's funding it?
   The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development approached Project Co-Director Chris Burley to activate the site for temporary green space development. With a startup grant from the City and fiscal sponsorship from the San Francisco Parks Trust, the gates were opened on Jaunary 24, 2010. Hayes Valley Farm is a nonprofit project that depends on the support of the community, volunteers, donors, sponsors, partners, and the City. Please check out our History page for details on how the project developed. Learn how you can help support the farm here.
   
   
8. Is the farm really built on a former freeway?
   Yes. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake compromised the Central Freeway spur where Hayes Valley Farm now stands. The farm is the first community use of this city block in more than 20 years.
   
   
9. Who operates the farm?
   The farm is currently operated by the Hayes Valley Farm team and community volunteers.
   
   
10. What does the farm grow?
    Right now, we're growing a lot of fava beans and clover to fix nitrogen in the soil. We're starting to plant food crops, such as squash, leafy greens, potatoes, and herbs, focusing on plants that will thrive in San Francisco's cool, coastal climate. We also have a large container garden called the Freeway Food Forest, which includes 150 potted fruit trees and 1,500 vegetable seedlings.
    
    
11. Is the farm going to sell food or give it away?
    Hayes Valley Farm is nonprofit, noncommericial farm. The farm's plan is to share food with the volunteers who maintain the farm and the surrounding community.
    
    
12. I heard the lot is zoned for residential development. What will happen to the farm?
    Hayes Valley Farm is founded on an interim-use agreement with the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, until the City moves forward with plans for developing the lot. The project's organizers have designed the farm with transience in mind, and believe that it provides an enormous opportunity to launch garden projects around the city and sow seeds for a more sustainable future.
    
    
13. I'm not sure I want to eat the fruits of this garden because it used to be a freeway. How much lead is in the soil?
    Health and safety is a top priority for Hayes Valley Farm. One of the big questions for us in this project is the viability of farming where a freeway used to be. Before we started planning, we laboratory-tested 64 soil points across the site. All parts of the site came back with lead levels lower than the EPA's standard for soil (400 ppm by weight), with the exception of the southern facing hill along Oak Street between Laguna and Octavia Streets. Our plan is to place 3 to 4 feet of organic material on top of the existing soil, thus building 1 to 2 feet of soil on top of the current site fill. This is a proven method of diluting lead levels if they exist. We plan to test for lead in the plant roots, shoots, leaves, and fruits after the first harvest, before allowing human consumption. Also, plants that produce fruit (apple, tomato, pepper, etc.) tend to store minuscule amounts of lead inside the fruit, with the majority being taken up into the roots and some remaining in the shoots.
    
    
14. What's with all of the cardboard? What's sheet-mulching?
    The cardboard is used to sheet-mulch the site. Sheet-mulching is a technique to build new, fertile soil. Cardboard is laid down to cover ivy and weeds and suppress their growth. It also prevents soil disturbance, absorbs water, and retains moisture. We then add layers of manure and mulch 3 or 4 feet high. Lastly, we plant fava beans and clover to fix nitrogen in the soil, to balance out the carbon-rich cardboard and mulch. As the manure and mulch transform into new soil, the cardboard and breaks down. The cardboard, mulch, and manure are local waste materials donated by Hayes Valley Farm sponsors.
    
    
15. I have some old gardening pots and tools that I don't need. Can I bring themo Hayes Valley Farm?
    Yes! We're always in need of tools and materials at the farm. Please check out our Wish List, or contact us and let us know what you would like to donate. Thanks for thinking of us.