What Maria's Field of Hope does

Maria's Field of Hope is a community farm in the Sunflower Farm neighborhood that grows vegetables and teaches residents how to grow their own food. The farm operates on donated land and is run by volunteers and part-time staff. It gives away produce to people in the neighborhood and holds classes on gardening, food preservation, and cooking with what you grow.

The farm started because the neighborhood had few places to buy fresh vegetables within walking distance. Maria Gonzalez, who founded it, began by planting on a vacant lot in 2015. The farm now occupies about a quarter-acre and produces tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, leafy greens, and herbs during the growing season, which runs from April through October in this region.

You do not need to own land, have gardening experience, or pay money to use the farm. You can pick vegetables during harvest hours, attend a class, or volunteer to help with planting and weeding. The farm also sells seedlings in spring and hosts a small farmers market stand on Saturday mornings during the season.

Key Takeaways

  • Maria's Field of Hope gives away fresh vegetables to neighborhood residents during harvest season, with no cost or paperwork required.
  • The farm offers free classes on gardening, food preservation, and cooking that teach skills you can use at home or in a community garden plot.
  • You can volunteer to help grow the food, which teaches you how plants work and connects you with other people in the neighborhood.
  • The farm sells affordable seedlings in spring so you can start a small garden at home, even if you only have a porch or windowsill.
  • Saturday morning farmers market stand sells produce grown on-site and accepts SNAP benefits (food stamps) for purchases.

How to get vegetables from the farm

The farm is open for picking on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, from April through October. You can walk in during those hours, pick what is ripe, and take it home. There is no limit on how much you can take, though the farm asks that you leave some for other people and pick only what you will use.

The Saturday morning stand sells produce by the pound or bundle. Prices are lower than grocery stores — typically $1 to $3 per item depending on what is in season. The stand takes cash, card, and SNAP benefits. If you use SNAP, the farm doubles the value of your benefits up to $10 per transaction, so a $5 SNAP purchase becomes $10 worth of vegetables.

The farm also delivers produce boxes to people who cannot walk to the farm. You can call or email to ask about a delivery, and a volunteer will bring a box of seasonal vegetables to your home once a week for as long as you need it. There is no cost for the delivery service.

Classes and workshops at the farm

Maria's Field of Hope teaches classes on Saturday mornings before the farmers market opens, usually from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Topics change with the season and have included starting seeds indoors, composting, dealing with pests without chemicals, preserving tomatoes and peppers, and cooking with seasonal vegetables. Classes are free and you do not need to sign up in advance — just show up.

In summer, the farm holds evening workshops on weeknights from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These are longer and go deeper into one topic, like building a raised bed garden or growing herbs indoors. A small group — usually 8 to 12 people — works together, so you get to know other gardeners in the neighborhood.

The farm also hosts a monthly potluck dinner where people bring dishes made with vegetables from the farm or their own gardens. This is partly social and partly a way to share recipes and cooking ideas. Dinner is the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., and there is no cost to attend.

Volunteering and community garden plots

The farm has about 20 small raised-bed plots that neighborhood residents can use to grow their own vegetables. Plots are about 4 feet by 8 feet — large enough for tomatoes, peppers, squash, and greens. You do not need experience; the farm provides soil, seeds, and water, and experienced gardeners are there to answer questions.

To use a plot, you commit to spending about 2 hours per week on it during the growing season. You water your plants, pull weeds, and harvest when things are ready. At the end of the season, you help clean up the plot and prepare it for the next year. There is no cost, and you keep all the vegetables you grow.

If you do not want your own plot, you can volunteer on the main farm. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, harvesting, and maintaining the irrigation system. Work days are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. You can come once a week or once a month — whatever fits your schedule. Volunteers get to take home some of what they harvest.

Seedlings and seeds for home gardens

In April and May, the farm sells seedlings — young plants already started and ready to transplant into a garden or pot. You can buy tomato, pepper, squash, bean, and herb seedlings for $1 to $2 each. The farm also sells seed packets for $0.50 each if you want to start from seed.

The farm gives away free seeds to anyone who asks, even if you do not buy seedlings. Maria saves seeds from the best plants each year and packages them for the next season. You can take as many packets as you need to start a garden on your porch, in a window box, or in a community plot.

If you buy seedlings, the farm includes a one-page growing guide for each type of plant. The guide tells you how deep to plant, how often to water, when to expect a harvest, and what pests to watch for. Staff and volunteers are also available during farm hours to answer questions about your plants.

How the farm is funded and run

Maria's Field of Hope operates on donations from local businesses, grants from the city parks department, and money from the farmers market stand. The land is donated by the property owner, who has agreed to let the farm use it for as long as it is needed. There is no rent.

The farm has one part-time coordinator, Maria Gonzalez, who works 20 hours per week. Everything else — planting, harvesting, teaching, and maintaining the space — is done by volunteers. The farm has about 30 regular volunteers and another 50 or so people who come occasionally to help or take a class.

The farm is not a government program, so there is no paperwork, income limits, or background checks. It is a nonprofit run by the neighborhood for the neighborhood. If you want to support the farm, you can donate money, volunteer time, or bring supplies like compost or tools.

What to bring and what to expect

When you come to pick vegetables, bring a bag or basket to carry what you take. The farm does not provide bags. Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty, and bring water to drink — there is shade under a large tree, but it can be hot during summer afternoons.

The farm is outdoors and operates in all weather except heavy rain or extreme heat. If it is very hot, the farm may close early or move picking to early morning. Check the farm's Facebook page or call ahead if the weather is uncertain.

The neighborhood around the farm is safe and well-lit. The farm is located at 412 Elm Street, about two blocks from the Sunflower Farm bus stop. There is street parking nearby, and the farm is accessible by wheelchair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a resident of Sunflower Farm to use the farm?

No. The farm is open to anyone in the city. Most people who use it live in or near Sunflower Farm, but you do not have to. If you work nearby or have family in the neighborhood, you can come pick vegetables or take a class.

What if I have never gardened before?

The farm is designed for people with no experience. Classes start with the basics, volunteers answer questions while you work, and the growing guides are written in plain language. Many people who use the farm have never grown anything before.

Can I bring my children to the farm?

Yes. Children can help with planting and harvesting, take classes, and pick vegetables. The farm is a family-friendly space, and many families use it together. There are no organized children's programs, but kids learn by doing alongside adults.

What happens in winter when nothing is growing?

The farm closes from November through March. During winter, the farm holds indoor workshops on topics like seed starting and garden planning. In spring, volunteers prepare the beds and plant again. Some people use winter to plan what they want to grow the next year.

Can I sell vegetables I grow in my plot?

No. The farm is for personal use and community sharing, not for selling. If you grow extra, you can bring it to the monthly potluck, give it to neighbors, or donate it back to the farm stand. The farm wants to keep the focus on growing food for yourself and your community, not for profit.