Kirk Parker, A customer and vendor participant of the Urban Farm Stand shared his experience at the Alkali Flat Urban Farm Stand below:

I recently participated in one of the more stellar events that I’ve experienced while in Sactown. Perhaps for some it wouldn’t appear this way on the surface. The event is called The Urban Farm Stand and is created by The Alchemist Community Development Corporation. Unlike other efforst of it’s kind, it’s reason for being arises from the needs of the community of Alkali Flat for “access to healthy foods (especially fresh produce), improved pedestrian and bicycle access along the commercial 12th street corridor, and new development that respects and compliments the historic character of the neighborhood.”
 
More than just a feel good story, this effort has the type of  strength of character that demands that we pay attention. When this model of community effort thrives, we now have a blueprint for community efforts around the valley and beyond.
 
The event is held at J. Neely Johnson Park, which was developed out of an “old parcel of land laying waste” in the 1970’s. It is a beautiful park and it’s current state is due to local residents reclaiming the park from use by vagrants and drug dealers. In their place is an amazing ten plot community garden that is well maintained and a source of community pride.
 
During the event residents from the community stopped by to buy organically grown produce and check out the various artisans. ( they have a need for more ) This occurred during the hours of 4 pm to 7 pm and turned out to be a perfect post work activity where the ambience of the park calmed work weary nerves and reinvigorated the spirit. Many people walked their dog or came via bike and shared a brief moment of their time.
 
In doing this, something fundamentally beautiful was being supported. The “market merchant’s" are two aspiring young entrepeneurs who are learning valuable skills relative to commerce and nutrition.
 
The coordinator who keeps all this going is named, Davida Douglas. She is a tireless worker whose final act at closing of the day was to literally bike the remaining produce via bike trailer transport to an additional location for a food giveaway.
 
These are the moments when time does slow and a reassessment of important values takes place. There is a reason that the community-at-large should come out and support this effort. It is as much about the sustainiblity of self as it is about the enhancement of others.
 
Take a moment and visit every Tuesday evening until the end of October. You’ll find that these reflections shine as bright in your own mirror.
 
More detailed information about this event can be viewed on their website.
http://www.urbanfarmstand.org/  or call Davida Douglas at 916-204-8260