Welcome to Black Thumb Farm!
Black Thumb Farm is a nonprofit urban farm and gathering space dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth and community through land based programming, growing culturally sustaining foods and flowers, and providing healing access to vital green space for the San Fernando Valley. We center BIPOC voices and experiences in our pursuit of land, seed, and food sovereignty. We work to be in right relation with Indigenous peoples as visitors on unceded Tataviam, Tongva, and Chumash lands.
We envision a deeply interconnected world where our youth and communities exercise communal sovereignty over land, seed, and food systems, and live with dignity, beauty, and joy.
We grow teens' connection to the natural world, nourish their passions, and empower them to advocate for a sustainable future for themselves and their communities as we seed our way toward food sovereignty. We aim to give them a hand up so that they can recognize their own power and step into it.
We accomplish this through 5 unique, land-based programs conducted at our farm. Growing fruits, veggies, and cut flowers at our farm introduces our youth to multiple skill sets and sectors of agriculture.
Support Black Thumb Farm's Strategic Growth!
Black Thumb Farm (BTF) was founded during the height of the pandemic in 2020, with a first cohort of 8 youth who were excited to get outside, garden, and learn how to support themselves and their communities. Over the last 5 years, BTF has made its home at Cottonwood Urban Farm in Panorama City, serving hundreds of BIPOC youth and their families through a variety of land-based programs that have blossomed immensely.
As BTF enters their final season at Cottonwood Urban Farm, the team feels humbled and grateful to move into one of the most significant seasons yet: moving to a new and expanded farm home in Mission Hills.
In the next 5 years, BTF will expand opportunities for youth and
local residents to be part of building food and seed sovereignty to support the survival, health, and resilience of our communities.
As we carry out this Strategic Plan over the next 5 years, we invite you to join us. There are so many ways to support this work from volunteering your time, donating in-kind materials, and sharing any monetary donations to keep the work going.
