Launching Our New Website on April 1st!

We're happy to announce that Planting Justice is stepping into spring with a fresh new look! On April 1st, we will unveil our brand new website, designed to bring you a more engaging and streamlined web experience.

This upgrade isn't just about looks; it's about making your interaction with us online smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you're ordering online, exploring our projects, or looking to get involved, our new website is tailored to enhance your experience and showcase our work and mission with greater clarity.

But that's not all – we're also making it easier for our incredible volunteers and supporters to discover ways to engage with and support our cause. From volunteering opportunities to community events, our new platform will be your go-to source for all things Planting Justice.

We Can't Wait to Hear Your Thoughts!

Your support has been the backbone of our journey, and we're eager to hear what you think of our new online home. After April 1st, please visit our new website, explore its features, and share your feedback with us.

Stay tuned, and see you online on April 1st!

A Journey of Growth and Learning: Our Visit to MoAD

As we stepped into February, a month rich with history and reflection, our Nursery team embarked on a memorable visit to the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD). This visit wasn't just a trip; it was a deep dive into the roots and stories that shape us, coinciding with the commencement of Black History Month. Our experience at MoAD was not only enlightening but also a reminder of the diverse narratives that nurture our community's growth.

Grafting Season Has Begun!

In the spirit of growth, we're thrilled to announce the official start of the grafting season! Our dedicated team has already skillfully grafted a fresh batch of pineapple guavas and avocados. This process, a testament to our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, ensures the continued health and diversity of our plant offerings.

A Special Visit from Germaine

We had the pleasure of welcoming Germaine, an inspiring visitor from a South Carolina-based nonprofit. Her passion for community development and environmental sustainability resonated with us all. Her visit sparked enriching conversations and potential collaborations, underlining our shared commitment to making a positive impact.

A Season of Fertilization

As the nursery bursts into life, our fertilization efforts are in full swing. This critical step ensures our plants receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

Seeding the Future: Annuals and Perennials

Our greenhouses are abuzz with the start of seeding for both annuals and perennials. 

This month, we have been diligently working on enhancing the connections for our Reentry program. We are dedicated to introducing a broader range of workshops and presentations, aiming to benefit not only our Reentry group but also our staff. Furthermore, we are committed to inviting organizations that can set up informational tables at the nursery, thereby offering essential resources to the Sobrante Park community.

We are thrilled to announce the participation of the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant. They provide a spectrum of services, including legal and social assistance, community organizing, and transformative education. Their efforts are geared towards supporting low-income immigrants and individuals escaping violence and persecution due to their ethnicity, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or other adverse circumstances.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the National Park Services for granting us the opportunity to hold our staff meeting at Crissy Field. This unique setting not only offered a breathtaking backdrop but also allowed our team to connect and engage in a meaningful and productive manner. The generosity and support of the National Park Services play a crucial role in enabling us to conduct such enriching experiences for our staff.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce a workshop scheduled for March titled "Planting the Seed for Your Future: Homebuying Workshop." This event is specifically designed for our Reentry staff and our PJ staff, aiming to provide valuable insights and tools for those considering homeownership.

We also want to acknowledge the invaluable partnerships with Insight Garden Program, National Park Services, and Restorative Media. These collaborations significantly enhance the impact and reach of our initiatives. A special mention goes to Lauren Beatty-Harris, the program director for Insight Garden Program at Central California Women’s Facility, whose dedication and leadership significantly contribute to the success of our collective efforts.

Lastly, we invite the community to participate in the upcoming event with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant. This is a fantastic opportunity to access vital resources. The event will take place this Tuesday at 10 AM in the yurt. Join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

With the remarkable warmth and backing from our community, our total funds have soared past $1,149,978, propelling us a third of the way towards our ambitious $3 million goal!

The aquaponics site is progressing well. We've completed all the demolition work, and cleanup is still underway. Recently, we undertook significant landscaping efforts. A long-time Sobrante Park community member, who specializes in landscaping, did an excellent job clearing the entire lot, removing weeds, and extracting blackberry bramble from the metal fence. We've also begun the process of removing the barbed wire from the front fence. Additionally, we upgraded three EBMUD drainage lines and underwent backflow prevention testing. After making some adjustments to the existing backflow device, we passed the test with flying colors.

Andrew, Jaime, Jose, and Silviano have been diligently working on the south house/one-story house. They've successfully installed the internal framing, waterproofing, outdoor panels, and windows.

We are confident that, with the continued support of our community, we will not only reach our $3,000,000 goal but surpass it! We are deeply grateful for everyone's generosity and support thus far.

We will keep you updated on the progress of this campaign and share the latest developments regarding the Aquaponics Incubator Farm. In the meantime, we invite you to watch a powerful video that provides more insights into the future of our Aquaponics Incubator Farm.

There are many ways to support Planting Justice!

You can make a one time, monthly, quarterly, or annual donation. Planting Justice is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with an EIN of 27-0334905 all donations are 100% tax deductible.

Planting Justice also accepts Stock Donations!

Receiving Institution: Charles Schwab & Co.
1945 Northwestern Drive
El Paso, TX 79912
Receiving Account Number: 8239-5748
Receiving Account Name: Planting Justice
DTC Clearing Number: 0164, Code

Not able to contribute financially? No problem! There are still many ways to support us, such as volunteering or sharing our work. Every bit helps and we appreciate your support!

Come join us as a volunteer at our Farm or the Good Table! If you're up for a sunny day amidst fruit trees, shrubs, and fresh grapevines, we've got the perfect spot for you. Can't wait to see you there!

If you’re unable to support us with a monetary donation for fire recovery, please consider volunteering with clean-up efforts at the farm or at the Good Table. Our small but mighty team has been working around the clock to recover, and they could really use some extra hands. You can sign up for the next volunteer day here. 

Wear sturdy shoes and clothing, and bring work gloves. We appreciate each and every one of our supporters and donors. Thank you for all the ways you support Planting Justice. Thank you for growing with us

Your support means the world to us, and we're thrilled to offer you various ways to make a lasting impact. We express our deepest gratitude for all forms of donations, whether they come as one-time contributions or monthly support. As a monthly donor, you become a vital pillar in our mission, providing ongoing sustenance to the work we do. What's more, all donations are 100% tax-deductible, making your contribution even more meaningful.

By joining our community of monthly donors, you embark on a journey of continuous support for our organization's transformative initiatives. Your consistent commitment empowers us to tackle challenges head-on, create sustainable change, and foster a more equitable world. Every donation, regardless of its size, holds immense value to us and the communities we serve.

We invite you to consider becoming a monthly donor, knowing that your generosity will have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the larger community. Together, we can sow seeds of hope, cultivate justice, and harvest a future that thrives for all. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration in supporting Planting Justice.

Our new Farmer’s Market will begin in April! It will be located directly in front of The Good Table, located at 5166 Sobrante Ave El Sobrante CA. It will take place on Sundays from noon-4. We are still looking for vendors to join! If you’re interested please reach out to our market manager, Sam, at Sam@plantingjustice.org or (626)240-9199. Keep following our socials for updates. 

More Planting and Pruning!

While many farms rest during the winter months, PJ’s Mother Farm stewards are busiest from late November through early March: sowing cover crops of clover and wildflowers, weeding, planting more fruit trees and bushes such as ceanothus, citrus, plums, and other bare root trees, weeding, pruning all the trees for future fruit production and to send scion wood to our nursery for propagation, and then pulling some more weeds.

But with sunny false spring days also come real beautiful blossoms!

Plums, peaches, and almonds are the first to bloom, and they make winter on the farm an amazing experience.

Some of the mulberries are starting to fruit, too. As we have about 70 varieties on the Mother Farm, we’re fortunate to have mulberries of various varieties fruiting from February through June. Wonderful snacks while working on the Mother Farm!

Now’s the best time to put fruit trees in the ground, so check out all the amazing varieties we have at our nursery and get planting!

We have five owl boxes distributed around the 4 acres of the PJ Mother Farm, with at least four pairs of barn owls living in them. Before the barn owls arrived, we had to trap hundreds of gophers over the year to keep them from overrunning the orchard. We lost most of the fig trees and many of the apples. But since putting up the owl boxes a few years ago, we’ve only rarely had to trap gophers–the owls are very effective rodent control!

Volunteers Welcome!

Volunteers are welcome to join us on the land for rewarding work weekly Tuesdays and Thursdays, or every second Saturday of the month.

Fruit Characteristics:
Our "Pineapple" quince cultivar bears golden-green pome fruits renowned for their intoxicating sweet and citrusy aroma. While raw fruits possess an astringent taste, cooking or bletting (allowing over-ripening) unveils their sweeter, more complex flavors. Perfect for creating delectable jellies, jams, pies, tarts, and the traditional Spanish membrillo, paired exquisitely with hard cheeses.

Growing Conditions:
Quinces thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet at maturity. Although susceptible to fire blight in certain U.S. regions, with proper care, these trees can be a delightful addition to your spring fruit tree collection. Pruning allows for size management, ensuring they fit perfectly in your garden space.

Product Details:
Size: 5x5x12 pots
Availability: 36 units
Price: $35.00 each

Get ready for winter with our certified organic fruit and nut trees! Transform your garden into a serene, winter wonderland with our high-quality trees. Enjoy a special 10% off your entire order using the discount code WINTER10. Embrace the chilly season with this exclusive online offer at plantingjustice.org/shop. Share this code with your friends and family, and let's cultivate a stunningly picturesque garden together, celebrating the peaceful beauty and bounty of winter!