The Growing Experience Urban Farm

Vision:

Our vision at The Growing Experience Urban Farm is to cultivate a thriving, sustainable healthy community that is deeply integrated with the principles of environmental sustainability, innovation, community engagement, and prioritizing the economy of well-being over profit. We are committed to expanding our impact by nurturing community-based nonprofits and fostering social enterprises, with the goal of activating residents to connect with one another and learn how to become diligent stewards of the Earth. Central to our sustainability ethos is empowerment through education; we believe that the cornerstone of true sustainability lies in developing a profound awareness of ourselves, our environment, and our community.

We envision a future where our community is not just healthy in the physical sense, but also empowered, interconnected, and sustained by a supportive network of organizations, businesses, city, and state leaders. In this future, every individual is recognized as a vital contributor to our collective well-being, with access to the knowledge and resources needed to live sustainably and harmoniously with our planet. By laying down the foundations of environmental stewardship, innovative agricultural practices, and community-led initiatives, we aim to create a model of living that can inspire and be replicated across the globe, fostering a world where people are empowered to make positive changes for their health, their communities, and the environment.

How to accomplish this vision:

Accomplishing our vision at TGE requires a multi-faceted approach centered on collaboration, education, and sustainable innovation. Firstly, forging strong partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, and government bodies will be key to broadening our impact and resources. These collaborations will enable us to offer comprehensive educational programs that not only teach sustainable farming practices but also foster environmental stewardship among community members of all ages. Implementing cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practices such as aquaponics and permaculture will serve as a living laboratory for innovation, research, and learning. Additionally, supporting and incubating community-based nonprofits and social enterprises will help translate our vision into tangible economic opportunities that prioritize well-being over profit, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our initiatives. By actively engaging the community through workshops, events, and volunteer opportunities, we will cultivate a sense of ownership and commitment among residents, empowering them to become active participants in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future. Through these concerted efforts, TGE will not only achieve its vision but also set a replicable model for others to follow, driving a global movement towards sustainable living and community well-being.

The MAYE Center works with but not limited to the following collaborative organizations to actualize the above vision:

Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)

University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

California State University of Long Beach

Pacific Gateway

Long Beach Fresh

Cerca Cultivation Hydroponics

Planet Earth Observatory organization

Get In Spired Inc Organization

Long Beach City College

LB Holistic Tree

GreenTouch Landscaping

IGH Gardens

Algalita Research

Moore Institute

Hands in Soil

Programs & Education

• Aquaponics Innovation: Focusing on the technological and sustainable aspects of aquaponics, including training and research.

• Community & Learning: Community engagement and learning through social enterprises, events, and classes.

• Sustainability & Impact: We average 200lbs a day harvest, average 400lbs food donated during our weekly farmstand, combat food insecurity and provide education on aquaponic and hydroponic sustainable eco-friendly practices.

• Educational Outreach: Farm to preschool program, which bridges early childhood education with agricultural learning. We provide internships to students in collaboration with CSULB, CSUDH, LBCC, and K-12 school partnerships.

  STEAM & Experiential Learning: Middle School Summer camp on STEAM education provide direct engagement with farming and sustainability practices.

  
  

  Get Involved

• Volunteer Opportunities: For those looking to contribute their time and skills.

• Internships & Training: Opportunities for students and individuals to gain hands-on experience in agriculture, sustainability, and related fields.

• Partnerships & Support: Schools, businesses, and community organizations can partner with the farm, and for donors to connect and support the farm's mission.

• Events & Workshops: community events, workshops, meditation classes, gardening classes, cooking classes, yoga, community education, sustainability practices in urban farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, art, wellness events.

Upcoming events: ( Events are cancelled on rainy days)

Farmstand Saturdays 10-2pm

Long Beach Food Fair at the farm 1st and 3rd Saturdays 9am ( at the Carmelitos Community Garden)

Community Crop Swap 1st Saturday of the month (at TGE)

Gardening Classes Lead by UC Master Gardeners ( 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/13) 9am-12noon

Earth Day April 20th, 9am-1pm

National Kid’s Day June 8th 9am-1pm

Juneteenth Day June 22nd 9am-1pm

Farm-to-Table Dinner July 20th 6pm-9pm

Yoga, monthly retreats, meditation are for members only.

training programs and specialty programs are for enrolled participants only.

Aquaponic Training ( 16 sessions over 16 weeks) are opened for enrollment. Please email if you are interested.

Community Garden Plots are opened to Carmelitos Residents first. Please email us and we can put you on the waiting list.

Farm to Preschool programs- Please contact us for enrollment or collaboration

Find out more, ways to support, donate and partnership contact info@themayecenter.org