Yisrael Family Urban Farm

For the past 10 years, the Yisrael Family Urban Farm (YFUF) has worked in the intersection of ecological land stewardship, sustainable food and agriculture, racial equity, justice, education, community building and even workforce development. 

The Yisrael Family Urban Farm (YFUF) located in South Oak Park, Sacramento was founded by Judith and Chanowk Yisrael in 2011. First starting as a journey to transition their family to a plant-based diet has now grown into a grassroots organization (of six!) that envisions urban agriculture as a tool for individuals to become agent makers of their own social change. 

YFUF has expanded their offerings to reach BIPOC communities throughout Sacramento and beyond. What first started as an idea from planting a single seed has now become a longtime need for BIPOC communities who still face food insecurity, poverty and environmental toxicity. The Urban Roots Initiative started as a way to address these current inequities and has evolved to encompass effective and accessible programs for adults and youth. The Urban Roots Initiative currently includes: 

1. Sustainable garden installations and consultations, which provides households with the technical assistance, education and infrastructure to grow food. This program is rooted in permaculture principles and utilizes climate conscious practices.
2. A youth internship program where BIPOC youth are mentored in the arenas of agriculture, herbalism & small-scale business by local BIPOC farmers and educators.
3. Skill building workshops: that focus on topics such as garden design & maintenance, composting, native ecology, soapmaking, herbal medicine making, and more!

Through growing food, greening urban spaces, and fostering a healthy learning environment we have seen increased agency for neighbors and neighborhoods. Community members deepen their autonomy by reconnecting to nature, shift from passive to conscious consumers and connect their civic participation to real time neighborhood benefits.