With sunset pumpkins, crimson rhubarb and amber-orange tomatoes, the farms at Berkeley Basket Community Supported Agriculture are full of color and produce. BBCSA is a hyperlocal organic community farm where volunteers hope to bring people together while cultivating healthier fruits and vegetables.
BBCSA started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000. Money raised will primarily be used to cover costs associated with establishing the Berkeley Basket Farm Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
The foundation, which they hope to launch this fall, would allow BBCSA to engage with a larger community, mentor future generations in farming and land use, make merchandise for donors and provide flowers for free.
Currently, BBCSA provides produce for 21 families and utilizes four backyard farms. Leftover food is donated to Pirate Pantry, a free fridge and pantry located in South Berkeley. They employ a sliding pricing scale to ensure that families of all incomes are eligible for organic, home-grown produce.
BBCSA has been operating since 2009 and is now partnered with the UC Berkeley Gill Tract Community Farm, which is run by UC Berkeley and the local community. The partnership began after BBCSA lost two of its four growing spaces.
The owner and operator of BBCSA, Moretta Browne, was dismayed after losing so much land in such quick succession.
Browne, who uses they/she pronouns, said they subsequently spoke with the Bay Area nonprofit organization Agroecology Commons, which recommended that she contact Gill Tract. After a year of discussion, Browne recently settled on a partnership where the BBCSA grows on the Gill Tract land and, in return, helps grow flowers to provide a habitat for monarchs.
Once established, one of the foundation’s goals would be to provide free flowers for ceremonial purposes, to mutual aid groups and to other nonprofits with like-minded missions.
“We hope that there’s a third-circle (moment) where we invite UC Berkeley students to build on the relationship with the university, and there might be some (UC) Berkeley students down to help harvest,” Browne said.
Browne recalled a BBCSA member sharing that this work has saved her life.
“She was like, ‘I was able to bring my weight down; I was able to manage my health a lot better once I started eating a more balanced diet,’” Browne said.
One of the backyard farm owners, Matt Haber, believes hosting the farm is a form of community building.
“To me, it’s just a much better use of land than lawns and ornamentals,” Haber said.
Browne also explained that a central goal of the organization is to usher in the next generation of farmers. BBCSA has been partnering with Merritt College and Agroecology Commons to train beginner farmers. Once the foundation starts, Browne will be able to train more apprentices and eventually pass on the BBCSA torch to the next generation.
“We’re not only feeding people, but we’re also connecting them with their neighbors and resources and helping them build community on top of that,” Browne said.