![\"Kokoa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Event_01312026_RA_ColortheBlock_CommunityGarden-00409.jpg\")
Kokoa and Tim accompany Josiah, 2 at the Color the Block event. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/p>\nAt Rainbow Mini Park in South Sacramento, what was once an empty lot is alive with seedlings, laughter, and a sense of purpose. Residents young and old gathered Jan. 31 for the annual Plant Celebration and Freecycle Giveaway, organized by Color the Block with other community organizations.<\/p>\n
The family-friendly event focused on sustainability, community care, and access to resources. Attendees enjoyed free plants and seeds, participated in onsite planting and gardening, explored the Freecycle Giveaway with household goods and clothing, and connected with local organizations offering services and information.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about growing the community, not just produce,\u201d said Morgan Brown, CEO of Color the Block. \u201cIt\u2019s about giving residents, especially youth, the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take ownership of their neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community gardening also holds deep historical significance for Black communities in America. From the provision gardens tended by enslaved Africans, who grew food to survive and preserve cultural traditions, to the rise of Black landownership after emancipation, farming has long been tied to resilience and freedom.<\/p>\n
Although Black farmers faced decades of systemic land loss through discrimination and displacement, land-based projects have remained central to movements for self-sufficiency and justice.<\/p>\n
Today, urban community gardens continue that legacy, serving as sources of fresh produce and as spaces where historically marginalized communities can reclaim land, rebuild health, and shape their own food futures.<\/p>\n
Kokoa and Tim accompany Josiah, 2 at the Color the Block event. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/p>\n
Leaders behind the South-Central Sacramento Community garden initiative affirms that the history makes their work even more meaningful today.<\/p>\n
The initiative was founded by Color the Block in partnership with United and Guided, Immersion Foundation, Estate Farms, July Forward, Sierra Service Project, and Family and Community Connections.<\/p>\n
In this collaborative effort, the organization aims to transform vacant spaces in underserved and underrepresented areas of Sacramento into vibrant, sustainable community gardens.<\/p>\n
Morgan and Rahmu Brown, who are married, began the project over two and a half years ago, inspired by their children and the challenges revealed by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the height of COVID, we were reflecting on how society has changed,\u201d said Morgan. \u201cKids aren\u2019t outside as much. They\u2019re in front of screens, and they don\u2019t actually have access.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we get older, the things we can tolerate change,\u201d said Rahmu, co-founder and operations manager of Color the Block. \u201cWe started looking at healthier practices not only for us, but for our kids,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The initiative addresses critical gaps in South and Central Sacramento, areas historically underserved and home to many Black and Brown communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere aren\u2019t a lot of resources for the Black population here,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cWhat we\u2019re bringing is a Black face, to show the world that we are still here, still a big part of this country, and we need to be represented.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Color](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Event_01312026_RA_ColortheBlock_CommunityGarden-00469.jpg\")
Color the Block, South Central Sacramento Community Garden on January 31, 2026. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/p>\n
Community gardens are more than a source of fresh produce; they are classrooms and hubs for social connection.<\/p>\n
Sydney Mathis, who attended the plant day celebration and is founding director of the Black-led EGE Foundation, underscored the transformative potential of community gardens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese gardens are spaces for healing, learning, and reconnection,\u201d Mathis said. \u201cIn neighborhoods that have historically been underserved, community gardens restore access not only to fresh produce, but also to dignity, cultural traditions, and shared responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mathis explained that community gardens reduce barriers tied to transportation and cost while building resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies are able to grow food close to home rather than relying on distant grocery stores,\u201d she said. \u201cOver time, that knowledge strengthens household food security.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also explained how community gardens can help foster food justice in our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood justice in Sacramento means ensuring that every community has equitable access to healthy food, land, education, and decision-making power,\u201d she said. \u201cCommunities should not just receive support, they should actively shape their own food futures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morgan notes that while Sacramento has community gardens, many have barriers that exclude the people who need them most.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity gardens tend to be run by individuals who may not need the access,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are plot rents and financial barriers [involved in running] community gardens.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Malea](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Event_01312026_RA_ColortheBlock_CommunityGarden-00417.jpg\")
Malea Wallace tends the plant swap table at the South Sacramento Community Garden. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/p>\n
The organization is also expanding into innovative farming methods, including controlled environment agriculture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are creating a mushroom farm, as well as a hydroponic and microgreens farm, to maximize space and produce high-protein, nutrient-rich foods you normally don\u2019t see in regular stores,\u201d Rahmu said.<\/p>\n
He points to specialty mushrooms like lion\u2019s mane, which can cost up to $25 a pound at upscale markets.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe average person of color that looks like us isn\u2019t going to buy stuff like that,\u201d he said. \u201cSo we\u2019re going to start producing those types of specialty vegetables right here in South Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n
Youth involvement is central to the vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re our future,\u201d Rahmu said. \u201cIf we\u2019re not teaching them this information, we can\u2019t blame them for not caring.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the progress, Morgan and Rahmu said, sustaining gardens requires ongoing investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest challenge is funding support,\u201d Rahmu said. \u201cAs much as we\u2019d love to do this all day, every day, people have jobs. Resources become a barrier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteer support also is critical. They said consistent community involvement could make the difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as community support, we need people to help maintain the garden and to spread the word,\u201d Morgan said.<\/p>\n
They also believe the city can play a larger role by making unused land available for gardens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would help largely with food insecurity,\u201d Rahm said.<\/p>\n
![\"Color](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Event_01312026_RA_ColortheBlock_CommunityGarden-00443.jpg\")
Color the Block, South Central Sacramento Community Garden on January 31, 2026. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/p>\n
Over the next five to 10 years, Color the Block hopes to expand urban farming, convert more vacant spaces, and normalize Black communities\u2019 reclaiming of agriculture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want kids to enjoy being outside,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cTo understand self-sustainability through growing your own food.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also wants to challenge stereotypes of what farming looks like.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can farm in Crocs and Jordans if you want to,\u201d she said. \u201cNormalizing people that look like us being outside in the garden, that\u2019s the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Rahmu, the work has reinforced the importance of community in advancing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a village,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve lost that village mentality. But it\u2019s OK to lean into each other again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day brought residents together not only to plant, but to celebrate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt represents collective care, growth, and shared investment in the future,\u201d Mathis said. \u201cIt symbolizes renewal and the power of coming together to nurture something meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Rahmu, the event also was a reminder of what community support can look like.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching parents walk away with boxes of clothes, kids filling bags, people smiling \u2014 that\u2019s a win,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Morgan said she left feeling accomplished.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know people were happy,\u201d she said. \u201cEven if someone didn\u2019t care much about grabbing a plant, they still left with one. We\u2019re still teaching, even accidentally, how to grow food.\u201d<\/p>\n
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