Alameda County is home to a vibrant network of urban farms and community gardens that welcome volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to learn hands-on gardening and composting skills while contributing to local food production and community building.
Local Urban Farms and Gardens with Volunteer Opportunities
Learn gardening skills and support your community by volunteering at local urban farms! Please note the following:
- Inquire and sign up, before you show up.
- Some organizations require you to complete a one-time waiver form.
- Be courteous, managing volunteers takes a lot of work!
| Organization | City | Address | Description and Volunteer Information |
| Acta Non Verba Youth Urban Farming Project | Oakland | West Oakland Farm Park - 2847 Peralta Street Tassafaronga Farm - 1001 83rd Avenue | Farm park and learning garden growing and distributing produce to neighborhood families. Volunteering Information |
| Alameda Backyard Growers | Alameda | Network of Alameda gardeners growing, gleaning and donating produce to the Alameda Food Bank. ABG’s Project Pick is a volunteer-based gleaning group that collects excess fruit from backyard fruit trees. Volunteering Information | |
| Clare’s Fare Garden | Pleasanton | 3350 Hopyard Road | Production garden supported by the Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club, growing and donating produce to a variety of East Bay organizations. Located at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church. Volunteering Information |
| Eden Organic Garden | Livermore | 1660 Freisman Road | Production garden supported by the Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club, growing and donating produce to a variety of Tri-Valley organizations. Hosts one of the Livermore Compost Hubs. Located at Crosswinds Church, across the creek bridge. Volunteering Information |
| The Edible Schoolyard Project | Berkeley | 1781 Rose Street | Educational school garden and culinary kitchen for students and families located at MLK Jr. Middle School. Volunteering Information |
| Farm 2 Market (Alameda Point Collaborative) | Alameda | 2600 Barbers Point Road | Urban farm and social enterprise growing produce for CSA distribution. Neighbors to the Alameda Compost Hubs. Volunteering Information |
| Fertile Groundworks | Livermore | 4743 East Avenue | Urban farm growing and donating produce to a variety of Tri-Valley organizations. Hosts one of the Livermore Compost Hubs. Located at Asbury United Methodist Church. Volunteering Information |
| Forestr | Unincorporated Alameda County | Paradise Garden - 20097 Mission Boulevard, Hayward | Organizes a variety of community programs including pocket park community gardens and gleaning groups collecting and donating backyard produce to a variety of organizations. Volunteering Information |
| Gill Tract Community Farm | Albany | 1050 San Pablo Avenue | Urban farming and research collaboration between an intentional community of farmers and UC Berkeley, growing produce for their farmstand and donation to a variety of East Bay organizations. Hosts the Albany Compost Hub. Volunteering Information |
| Island Garden (Self Help Hunger Program) | Oakland | 61st St. and Stanford Ave | Neighborhood garden and community produce stand managed by the Self Help Hunger Program in connection with the city of Oakland's Adopt-a-Spot program. Volunteering Information |
| LEAF (Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont) | Fremont | Urban Farm - 38339 Mission Blvd Community Garden - 36501 Niles Boulevard | Production and educational urban farm and community garden growing and donating produce to a variety of Tri-City organizations. Provides community workshops and student programming on sustainable living and regenerative agriculture. Volunteering Information |
| Livermore Heritage Guild | Livermore | 455 Olivina Avenue | Historical preservation and restoration organization that manages and curates Hagemann Ranch, including an operational horse stable and garden growing historical food staples. Neighbors Sunflower Hill Garden. Volunteering Information |
| Northeastern's Oakland Campus Farm | Oakland | Underwood Avenue, Northeastern's Oakland Campus | Educational and production farm providing urban agriculture instruction to students at the Northeastern University's Oakland campus. Volunteering Information |
| Pleasanton Educational Garden | Pleasanton | 550 Laguna Creek Lane | Educational farm in development by the Alameda County Master Gardeners. Hosts the Pleasanton Compost Hub. Volunteer opportunities will be announced as the farm site continues to develop. |
| Pollinate Farms | Oakland | Collection of backyard farms growing and distributing produce through CSA and the Temescal Freedom Farmers’ Market. Pollinate Farms works with volunteers through the organization Farms to Grow. Volunteering Information | |
| San Leandro Community Garden | San Leandro | 14235 Bancroft Avenue | Community garden managed by San Leandro 2050 growing and donating produce to the neighboring San Leandro Community Food Pantry. Located at Bethel Community Church. Volunteering Information |
| Sunflower Hill Garden | Livermore | 455 Olivina Avenue | Flower and production garden managed as an instructional and therapeutic space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, growing and donating produce to a variety of Tri-Valley organizations. Neighbors the Livermore Heritage Guild. Volunteering Information |