GrowGood Urban Farm - Bell, California

Kacey

2019/2020 - So the other weekend, I heard through the grapevine about an urban farming event. At the event there would be chances to volunteer in the urban community garden of Bell, California. This particular urban community garden is ran by a nonprofit organization called Grow Good. Grow Good uses the crops grown at the community urban garden to supplement food provided to residents of a shelter right across the street, which is run by the Salvation Army and houses 500 people, giving them a chance to heal. It's a huge complex that spans the length of three motels side-by-side. When I arrived I noticed beautiful strings of chrysanthemum heads hanging from a booth. A woman offered me yerba mate on tap and pointed me in the direction of the group. I learned that I could participate in any of the five projects: building a wheelchair accessible pathway, building a wheelchair accessible garden bed, planting native plants, digging a really big hole in which to store compost, or delivering that compost to the really big hole. I chose to wheelbarrow compost to the really big hole. And then I helped build the wheelchair accessible pathway through the garden. I worked for about 5 hours, mostly shoveling and pushing wheelbarrows. It was peculiar that most of the people that I was doing physical labor with were wearing very fancy elaborate clothing. This was not factory made clothing, it was hand done. I noticed one gentleman wearing only coveralls and no shirt. His coveralls were made of elaborate, colorful material. His pockets formed interesting shapes, and even the clasps of his coveralls had an interesting design. These people wore beautiful leather shoes that could be the shoes of a laborer or the shoes of an artist. As we worked, various local bands played music for us laborers, and I noticed the others moved their bodies and tools to the music and sometimes sang along. I can still see one gentleman pitchforking to the beat. I felt kind of like I was kind of like I was in a fantasy foreign land. It felt like I had stumbled into the filming of a music video! After a couple of hours, a vegetable corn dish, prepared from the garden veggies, was served with horchata or jamaica in mason jars. We were asked to wash our dishes in buckets when we were done eating. I hope my future will bring more events like this.

Naomi A.

I love this place, came here for a work volunteer event and will come back. They really have a full program here and the staff is amazing. I have recommended it to some friends since my experience. I was able to work on cleaning up the area for tenants there and it was nice to help.

Ana C.

I got free milkweed plans today! Can't wait to show you how they get bigger!!

Eleuterio N.

The good this farm does for the city of Bell is beyond I can say.

They work with the shelter across the street on food education, provide fresh produce and are a safe peaceful refuge for folks seeking a place to reflect and be more mindful

Dillion T. (.

Saved my life. I owe so much to the Pregerson family, Peace and Blessings upon ALL.

Gary I.

Public welcomed to buy organic (fertile) eggs & veggies that help the homeless.

Brianna S.

Great spot to volunteer! Really recommend

John S. (.

It's next too the Salvation Army in Bell