A unique partnership between community members, UC Berkeley students, academics and staff has been working toward creation of a 1.5 acre urban farm, education and research center on the Gill Tract in Albany. The Gill Tract Farm Coalition has invited members of the public to "Come join us for a Spring Planting Celebration on Saturday, April 26, from 11-3 pm, at the corner of Marin and San Pablo in Albany as we celebrate this new joint venture by planting, learning, playing, and eating together!"

Community members from Albany, Berkeley and other nearby cities will be gathering with university students at the newly prepared site to start the first step in the production of fresh produce for those in the wider community who are least able to afford good food. In addition to putting seedlings into the ground, information and hands-on activities for all ages will be available. Lunch will be provided by the Berkeley Student Food Collective. Feel free to bring additional salads, snacks, or desserts to share our bounty together as a community!

Following ‘Occupy the Farm’ events on Earth Day 2012, attention has been drawn to the need for land where local food can be grown. Since then the University of California has restored oversight of a section of this agricultural land to the College of Natural Resources for 10 years and began collaborating in a community-university partnership to cultivate a 1.5 acre section known as "Area A". The Gill Tract Farm Coalition, an alliance of community members is part of this collaboration.

Gill Tract's First Community Farm Day — April 26, 2014: photos | Gill Tract Community Farm Thriving One Month In — June 1, 2014: photos | Community Farm Day Announcement | Keep building momentum for the Gill Tract! | Gill Tract: Students Successfully Petition UC to Temporarily Halt Development

Previous Related Indybay Features: Farmers Target Four Sprouts Locations to Save Gill Tract Farm | "Occupy the Farm" Continues to Fight Against Unsustainable Development at the Gill Tract | University of California Razes Publicly Planted Crops on Gill Tract | Occupy the Farm Activists Reclaim Prime Urban Agricultural Land in SF Bay Area