Veggielution empowers youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to create a sustainable food system in San Jose. Our urban farm engages the community by providing access to healthy and local food, creating youth leadership opportunities, and developing creative solutions to social and environmental justice issues.
We are a nonprofit community farm seeking to create a sustainable food system in San Jose. We currently farm about 1 acre at Emma Prusch Park in East San Jose, with the possibility of expanding to up to 10 acres at the park. Our volunteer workdays, youth programs, sliding scale farmstand, and community workshops give people a chance to get their hands dirty growing veggies, and learn why the importance of eating healthy food and knowing where it came from.
Our Fiscal Sponsor: The William James Association
We are currently a project of The William James Association. Based in Santa Cruz, The William James Association promotes work in the arts, environment, education, and community development. It is a non-profit community service corporation operating under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code. Through its Fiscal Sponsorship Program, the Association assists individuals and community organizations consistent with its service mission by providing administrative support, tax-exempt status, and fiscal sponsorship.
Annual Report 2009Since the 1970’s drivers headed northbound at the 101/680 interchange have looked to the East and seen the empty field at San Jose’s Prusch Farm Park sitting idle. But this year that sight began to change. A new community farm has taken root and is growing. Veggielution has expanded quickly over the past three years. What started as a backyard garden project run by students grew to a 1/6 acre plot at Prusch Farm Park in the spring of 2008. We grew 1700 pounds of food that first season, engaged hundreds of San Jose residents and began building relationships with key partners, such as the San Jose City Parks Department, funders, local universities and community organizations. That first year demonstrated to us that something much larger than what we had originally envisioned was possible. So we got to thinking, did our homework, and put our ideas down on paper. Our Annual Report summarizes Veggielution’s recent progress, operations, crop yield and financial summary from 2009. We also give a sneak peak of our proposal to create a largescale community farm at Emma Prusch Park. Download our Annual Report Here |
Core Values
Build Community – We foster positive social interactions between all those who participate in our community farm. Participants should feel as though they are a part of a larger farm community, which is centered on the land that we work, the food that we share, and the understanding that we are all dependent on each other and the natural environment that sustains us.
Embrace Diversity – For this farm community to be viable and to truly represent San Jose, it must include children, teens, adults, and elders from diverse backgrounds. The experiences of recent immigrants, youth, working class people and professionals are equally vital. Many voices will be represented in the decision making at the farm.
Empower Youth – San Jose’s youth will be at the forefront of a changing world with many social and environmental challenges. Our youth programs will empower youth to understand and undertake these challenges. Working on the farm will teach them valuable leadership skills and how to work together in a community.
Create a Sustainable Food System – We recognize that the Santa Clara Valley, its soil, ecosystem, and watershed are important resources for future generations. The way we produce food today has radically changed from the past. Farming chemicals are damaging our natural resources, genetic engineering is changing the nature of the food we eat, and cheap empty calories are causing major public health problems. We will be a catalyst for food system change by educating people about sustainable farming and engaging the community to advocate for policy change.
