The City Farmer Collaborative

Meet the City Farmer Collaborative

It is becoming increasingly difficult for small-scale farmers in California to begin or continue farming because of barriers to accessing land, water, markets, and training. City Farm SLO provides affordable land leases and supportive services in our collaborative farming program.Thirteen acres are currently leased to our 6 City Farmers. In 2022-2023, our City Farmers produced over 115,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables for our local food system.

If you are interested in leasing land at City Farm, please fill register on our waiting list and email info@cityfarmslo.org with other inquiries.

MG Farms

Francisco Martinon, @mg_farms

MG Farms is owned and operated by Farmer Francisco Martinon. Frank provides wholesome, organic vegetables to local school districts, SLO Veg, and local farmers' markets. He grows a huge variety of crops including squash, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces, tomatoes, leeks, beans, berries, herbs, and so much more!

Blosser Urban Garden

Jerry Mahoney, @blosserurbangarden

blosserurbangarden.com

Subtenant Blosser Urban Garden is a small-scale certified organic farm in Santa Maria operating since 1996, with a CSA of over 250 members and a farmstand on Blosser Road. It’s owned and operated by Jerry and Alejandra Mahoney. Jerry worked for eleven years as the Cal Poly organic farm manager, teaching future farmers the importance of sustainable organic farming practices.

Aviator Acres Family Farm

Nathan Ecret

Farmer Nathan Ecret has been farming for over 28 years. Growing up in a farming community, Nathan has been involved in farming a variety of crops over the years. Farmer Nathan is now retired and working harder than ever for family and community, growing healthy, fresh vegetables for the home cook or farm to table chef.

Monarch Hills Education

Erin Stehli and Hali Anaya

www.monarchhills.org

Monarch Hills Education is a child inspired, nature based enrichment program for students TK-6th grade.

Our Global Family Farm

Tree Lees

PermacultureSLOCounty.com

Teresa "Tree" Lees promotes global unity and permaculture through regenerative agriculture techniques.

Cyrus Bany

Tenant Farmer

Bio coming soon.

Dear followers!!! Help us manifest the next addition to our farm!!! 🐶

ISO: A trained, proven, people-friendly guard dog to protect our sheep and chickens.

Breed: Akbash, Maremma, or Great Pyrenees.

Age: ideally 2-5 yo

If you know of any leads, feel free to share in the comments or shoot us a DM.

Our Flock thanks EWE!!!!!
🐑 🐑 🐑

Most people watch this documentary about regenerative agriculture from the couch. You can watch it from the grounds of your local regenerative farm.

On Wednesday, September 30, we're screening Groundswell outdoors at City Farm. It's the third and final film in the soil trilogy that began with Kiss the Ground and Common Ground. Narrated by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, @groundswell_film spans five continents to meet the farmers, scientists, and Indigenous leaders rebuilding soil and reshaping how the world grows food, and maybe just saving the planet while they're at it.

Gates 6:00 PM | Film 7:15 PM | Farm Stand open until 6:30

Beer, wine, and light snacks will be available for purchase. Seating is BYO, so bring a blanket, cushions, or a low-backed chair, feel free to bring a picnic if you'd like to make a full evening of it.

Suggested donation $10, and all are welcome.

Bring someone with you, this one is a conversation starter!
RSVP link is in our linktree in bio

We use it all the time at City Farm, the word turns up on seed packets, restaurant menus, and corporate sustainability reports. It gets used so widely that it can start to feel like it means everything and nothing at once. To us, it really is everything. To us, regenerative means we are healing, not just sustaining, soil, ecosystems, our food system, and our community.

So we wrote about it. Not the buzzword version, but what regenerative agriculture asks of a farm in definition and in practice, how it differs from other methods, and what it looks like at City Farm.

Our latest blog article is live. Read it at cityfarmslo.org/blog or find the link in our stories

Our Hoedown live auction raised real money for City Farm SLO's mission, and it happened thanks to these three local businesses:

🍽️ Kor Kitchen @slo_kor_ Chef Sophia Zekria brought Afghan hospitality into a winning bidder's home with a three-course dinner for four, served alongside the stories and traditions behind every dish. Born and raised in Afghanistan, Sophia arrived in San Luis Obispo carrying her grandmother's recipes and a determination to keep that heritage alive. Kor means home, and she has built one here, one table at a time.

🥟 @SichuanKitchenSLO Chef Garrett Morris offered a group of eight their choice of a dinner or a dumpling-making class, made with produce straight from City Farm, hosted at home or out on the farm for a true farm-to-table evening, with two hours of performance from local favorite Miss Leo. Garrett studied at Cal Poly, served in the Peace Corps in Nepal, and cooked in home kitchens across Sichuan before bringing that food back to SLO alongside his wife and co-owner Coco Yang.

🍷 @ChangeCollectiveCC A half case of premier wines to refresh a cellar, from Caymus to Tablas Creek to Saucelito Canyon. Change Collective is an employee-owned social impact firm that spends its days helping Central Coast nonprofits grow stronger, then turned around and gave us this on top of it.

To Sophia, Garrett, Coco, and the whole Change Collective team: thank you. Your generosity becomes farm education for local kids, fresh food at the Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand, and soil that gets healthier every season.

And to everyone who raised a paddle, thank you for turning one good evening into a season of work out here. 🌱

🎬 Movie Night on the Farm

Wednesday, September 30 Gates open 6:00 PM Film starts 7:15 PM
Our Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand is open until 6:30 if you want to shop first

We are screening Groundswell, the third and final film in the soil trilogy that began with Kiss the Ground and Common Ground. It crosses five continents to meet the farmers, scientists, and Indigenous leaders rebuilding soil and reshaping how the world grows food.

We think it hits differently when you are watching it from the grounds of your local regenerative farm.

Suggested donation $10. All are welcome.

Bring a blanket or a low chair for comfy seating

Snacks & beverages will be available for purchase (including beer and wine for 21+)

Feel free to bring your own picnic or snacks.

RSVP at the link in bio. 🌍

Imagine welcoming neighbors to the Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand each Wednesday and Saturday. If you or someone you know is passionate about local food systems, or agriculture and would love to be part of this, please check out the link in our bio for more information.

Deadline to apply is: September 10, 2026

**If you're excited about this role, passionate about food access and City Farm's mission, and believe you have skills or experiences that would help you succeed, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't check every box.** We value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and are committed to building a team that reflects and serves our community.

City Farm SLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such we value diversity and actively solicit candidates from all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Our Board adopted policy prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

You asked, and we heard you. 🛍️

City Farm's first tote bag design has landed, and you can pick one up on your next visit to the Farm Stand. In collaboration with @designs.doris and @threadheadembroidery who both created our sold-out Sheep Shearing Shindig shirt this year, this tote is certified recycled canvas, and made sustainably. The handles are soft woven cotton and it's spacious enough to become your new daily carry.

Built for hauling tomatoes, market runs, library books, and whatever else your week throws at you.

Is that a lemon? 🍋

Nope. It is a lemon cucumber, named for its size, shape, and sunny color, but not for its taste.

They are milder and a little juicier than the cucumbers you know, crisp and refreshing, and you can use them anywhere a regular cucumber would go.

Our current favorite: sliced into a pitcher of water for a touch of flavor and a hydration boost. Add a few sprigs of our fresh basil, or lemon and berries, and you have the best thing in your fridge.

Find them and try a sample at the Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand. Wednesdays 2:30 to 6:30 PM Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM at 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo

🌾 That is a wrap on this summer's Regenerative Farming Fellowship.

Two cohorts spent eight weeks each at City Farm. A remarkable amount of early mornings.

Our fellows went well past the basics. Each week centered on a key concept, from food security to groundwater management, and we watched understanding deepen and curiosity grow through farm tours, visits to the food bank, and conversations with local leaders in the field.

They staffed the Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand. Many took part in chicken harvest, learning first hand where pasture-raised meat comes from and what it takes to raise and process it locally.

This is the next generation of Regenerative Farmers.

We are as proud of this group as we are grateful for everything they gave this farm. 💚

🍅 Harvest it, make it, can it, and take it home.

Join us and the UC Master Food Preservers for a hands-on salsa workshop at City Farm. Start with a tour of the farm, harvest your own ingredients, then create and can a salsa from scratch with expert guidance the whole way through.

Saturday, September 19

1:30 PM to 4:00 PM $40 per ticket

No experience necessary. Fun for beginners and seasoned preservers alike.

Get your ticket at the link in bio.

Whether you're new to canning or looking to refresh your skills, this class is a fun way to learn how to safely preserve the taste of summer. Every participant gets to take home a jar of salsa made from City Farm ingredients.

Step into the fields with two of our Collaborative City Farmers, as they share in their own words what it takes to get a small farm started. In California and many places, access to land is the hardest part, but it doesn’t end there.

Thirteen of our acres at City Farm SLO are leased to independent small-scale farmers with long-term leases that help make starting out possible. It is work that you might not hear about as often, but it is a growing and impactful program we are incredibly proud of.

Stay tuned until the very end for a big reveal of what is next for City Farm in the coming year.

🍐 Wednesday 2:30pm to 6:30pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm

Pears, Cantaloupe 🍈, cherry tomatoes, delicata squash, super greens mix, leeks, green bell peppers, “Regenerative Roasters” (whole chickens), dried herbs, build your own bouquets 💐 and more at farm stand today.

Fresh fruits and veggies are always “Pay What You Can” no questions asked! Join us at 1221 Calle Joaquin in San Luis Obispo🌱💚

Our hearts are full and our dancing boots have just the right amount of dust! Thank you for joining us for the 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown and supporting our work! We can't wait to share more stories of the impact your support helps us create.

Thank you to our event sponsors!

Seedling Sponsor:
Susan Rodriguez State Farm Insurance

Sprout Sponsors:
Poor Richard's Press @poorrichardspress
SLOmow @wildlandfirepirate
Studio Prime Architecture @studio_prime_architecture

Nurture Sponsors:
People's Self-Help Housing @pshhc
Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District @coastalsanluisrcd
Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District @uslt_rcd
Purlieu Landscape Design + Build @purlieulandscapes
A Class Construction LLC
Flowers by @littlepeaflorals
Audio-Visuals by @KramerEvents
Furniture by @avenuetwelve

What are the Summer Fellows up to this morning? Planting romaine starts alongside cantaloupe for school meals this Fall!
#farmtoschool
#regenerativefarming

We are looking forward to welcoming a FULL HOUSE to Rancho Toro y Oso this Saturday - The 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown is officially SOLD OUT. Thank you for your enthusiasm in supporting our mission!

We are so excited to share special announcements and celebrate local agriculture and its supporters during our biggest night of the year.

And a very heartfelt thank you to our 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown Event Sponsors:

Seedling Sponsor:
Susan Rodriguez State Farm Insurance

Sprout Sponsors:
Poor Richard's Press @poorrichardspress
SLOmow @wildlandfirepirate
Studio Prime Architecture @studio_prime_architecture

Nurture Sponsors:
People's Self-Help Housing @pshhc
Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District @coastalsanluisrcd
Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District @uslt_rcd
Purlieu Landscape Design + Build @purlieulandscapes
A Class Construction LLC
Flowers by @littlepeaflorals
Audio-Visuals by @KramerEvents
Furniture by @avenuetwelve

Thank you and See You at The Hoedown!

Shouting out a big THANK YOU to all of our silent auction donors and giving you a sneak peek of more to look forward to at the 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown - City Farm SLO’s Annual Fundraiser and biggest night of the year.

During the event you’ll be able to browse and bid on special treats, experiences, and bundles from the following local businesses:

@allagowines @americanbarnwood.co @booboorecords @california_sauna_club @centralcoastcreamery @goldenstategoods @humankindft @hayseedwine @miners_ace_hardware @themountainair @myfriendmikes @orangetheoryslo @lencollective @themayancollective @salinascharreria_ @slobotanical @hotelcerroslo @seaandgreenhome @tolosawinery @woodshumanesociety

(More in comments)

Happy National Farmer’s Market Week! Visit our Farm Stand and shop from multiple small scale farms at one stop!

You can find produce, meats, dried herbs, and more from our market garden and the entire City Farmer Collaborative on site at City Farm SLO.

Fruits and veggies are pay-what-you-can, no questions asked, to make sure fresh local food fits in everyone’s budget.

📍 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, California 93405
⏰ Wed 2:30 - 6:30pm | Sat 10am - 1pm

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#nationalfarmersmarketweek #wegrowwhatwesell

The Countdown is ON! Saturday August 15th, at Rancho Toro y Oso. Come support City Farm SLO’s impactful work and enjoy the Farm Games Hoedown 🤠

ready for an unforgettable evening of...

Farm Games
Celebrity Judges
BBQ Dinner
Rooted In SLO Award Ceremony
Live & Silent Auction
Raise the Paddle
Live Music & Hoedown

Hoedown Music By
@themothercornshuckers

Tickets are $95 per seat and include
dinner, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, concert, and a night you won’t forget!

Get your tickets at cityfarmslo.org/hoedown

Giddy up! The Farm Games Hoedown is just around the corner and we wanted to give a “Howdy Pard’ner” and heart-felt thank you to our event sponsors for making this possible. We’ve rounded em up all in one place so you can browse and get to know these local organizations and businesses!

Seedling Sponsor:
Susan Rodriguez State Farm Insurance

Sprout Sponsors:
Poor Richard’s Press @poorrichardspress
SLOmow @wildlandfirepirate

Nurture Sponsors:
Studio Prime Architecture @studio_prime_architecture
People’s Self-Help Housing @pshhc
Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District @coastalsanluisrcd
Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District @uslt_rcd
Purlieu Landscape Design + Build @purlieulandscapes
A Class Construction LLC aclassconstruction.net

Did you know? You can support our work while recycling your housewares!

We are looking for the following for our farm programs and events:

Clean flatware (forks, knives, spoons)
Clean, reusable napkins & linens
Table cloths - earth tones and natural materials
Clean 16 oz Mason jars (lids not needed)

Or you can purchase new items from our Wish List: myregistry.com/giftlist/cityfarmslo
(also at the link in our bio!)

If you have questions or an item to donate, DM us here or email info@cityfarmslo.org

Thanks for supporting our work!

Visit us at the Farm Stand: Wednesdays 2:30 - 6:30 pm | Saturdays 10am - 1pm | at 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, 93405

One of our visions at City Farm is for everyone in our community to eat fresh local food whenever they want it (hopefully everyday!). Our Farm Stand is a growing and important part of how we've started bringing that vision to life. The more people who pay the farm stand a visit, from every walk of life, the closer we get.

Here's how it works and why it's for everyone:

Our Farm Stand is "Pay-What-You-Can" when it comes to our fresh fruits and veggies. That means something different for everyone, and it might mean different things at different times. That's part of the beauty in this model!

We also offer our premium regeneratively raised meats and chicken eggs, and are continuing to bring in carefully selected local partner products (like the Saturday morning freshly baked @bread.bike loaves!) to bring you a more complete, whole-diet farm stand shopping experience. These items aren't part of the Pay-What-You-Can Model, but we are working behind the scenes to make them more accessible to everyone.

Pay the Standard Price - If you can, we encourage you to. Tags show pricing, if you’re not sure you can always ask

Pay a Discounted Price - Take a discount up to $30 off your fruits and veggies - pay the amount you can afford.

Pay Nothing - You can pick out up to $30 of fruits and veggies at no cost, you must check out but no purchase is required and no questions are asked.

Pay it forward - Donations help replenish our farm stand fund so we can continue offering our Pay-What-You-Can Model

Did You Know? All farmers are paid full price for their produce regardless of the discount taken at the registers!

Have questions about the Pay-What-You-Can model? Requests for Farm Stand? Drop a comment or send us a DM, we'd love to chat!

By the time the Mother Corn Shuckers take the stage to start the dance, one local team will have earned the Farm Games title 🌽 Come cheer on your favorites!

The Farm Games are exactly what they sound like: local teams going head to head in the finest farm chores we could scheme up. Who will be the boss of the egg toss? The mother of all corn shuckers? Hay bale hauling hero? Chicken rodeo champion? We've heard a certain sheep will make a special appearance too. All while you sip from the open bar, dig into your BBQ, and battle over incredible vacation and experience packages at the live auction.

You'll also get a preview of our plans for creating even more impact in our local food system and agricultural community, and learn more about what we've accomplished with your support.

City Farm's biggest night of the year, and every seat helps us keep our farms and food local, while teaching kids why it matters. 🌱

Saturday Aug 15 · 5 PM · $95/seat · link in bio 🤠

A heartfelt thank you to our 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown Event Sponsors:

Susan Rodriguez State Farm Insurance
Poor Richard's Press @poorrichardspress
SLOmow @wildlandfirepirate
Studio Prime Architecture @studio_prime_architecture
People's Self-Help Housing @pshhc
Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District @coastalsanluisrcd
Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District @uslt_rcd
Purlieu Landscape Design + Build @purlieulandscapes
A Class Construction LLC aclassconstruction.net

Thank you for supporting our mission! 🌱🤠

Butter lettuces, berries, zucchinis, cherry tomatoes, eggs, fresh basil, dried herbs, lemons, and more coming to farm stand today.

We’ll be open until 6:30 pm

1221 Calle Joaquin in San Luis Obispo

Pay what you can for high quality, regeneratively grown produce, all organic inputs.

🚨 BREAKING LEAK: Farm Stand menu for this Wednesday at City Farm SLO 🚨 Straight from the City Farmer group chat🕵️

Here's what's coming in fresh at farm stand:

🍅 From City Farm (Wed + Sat): cherry, heirloom, and beefsteak tomatoes, cucumbers, shishito peppers, zucchini and eggs + our City Farm Meats: whole chicken, ground beef, and steak cuts!

🍓 From Farmer Frank: Caraflex cabbage, carrots, yellow squash, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries

🥬 From Jerry and Blosser Urban Garden: green leaf, red butter, and green butter lettuces, green beans, and broccoli

🌿 From Farmer Cyrus and Ethereal Gardens: chives, Armenian cucumber, beets, parsley, lemons, and curly kale

From Tree and Our Global Family Farm: catnip, dried bay leaves, dried oregano, and potpourri

Fresh fruits and veggies are pay-what-you-can; pay less, pay nothing, pay the suggested price, or pay extra to support our community having access to local, high quality, regeneratively farmed produce! Discounts up to $30, no questions asked. 🌻

Wednesdays 2:30 to 6:30 pm

Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm

1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo

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The City Farmer Collaborative

Meet the City Farmer Collaborative

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Follow us on Instagram @cityfarmslo