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More Meaningful Partnerships
Hi ,
2026 is truly the year where we, at LEAF, focus on Cultivating Minds. After kicking off two educational partnerships with Stanford and Ohlone College at the beginning of the year (see January newsletter), we’re excited to share two additional new partnerships that are very dear to our hearts:
Friends of Children with Special Needs
Every Monday and Thursday, we welcome groups from Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) to the LEAF Urban Farm. FCSN is an East- and South Bay-based nonprofit formed in 1996, whose mission is to help individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. A core focus is to provide opportunities for individuals with special needs to give back to their community through volunteer work and jobs. At LEAF, FCSN’s clients get to experience farm work first-hand and strengthen their skills through mulching, planting and harvesting. We’re so excited about this partnership and about seeing them enjoy their time at our farm.
California School for the Deaf
On the same days, we’re also joined by a group of teenagers from the California School for the Deaf here in Fremont. Under instruction from LEAF’s team and with support from their interpreter, they help us with projects around the LEAF Urban Farm. So far, they have built two planter beds in the new production garden and also sheet mulched a new pathway in the new educational garden. These projects are part of their vocational training. Following an existing partnership with the California School for the Blind, where students grow food in two planter beds at the LEAF Community Garden, we’re excited to have established a second meaningful partnership with these leading California educational institutions.
Students for LEAF Summer Program - Registrations Now Open!
Students for LEAF is our 7-week summer program for middle and high school students that nurtures young people's passion for environmental conservation, regenerative agriculture, and science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). We are cultivating the next generation of leaders to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and water conservation.
Participants will:
Learn sustainable gardening practices – from planting and propagation to composting and soil health.
Observe pollinators up close – including beekeeping and participation in the Bumble Bee Atlas Community Science Project.
Harvest and donate fresh produce – helping local families facing food insecurity through our food bank partnerships.
Get creative with hands-on projects – like botanical illustration, candle-making, and garden-to-table cooking.
Connect with like-minded peers and develop leadership skills in environmental action.
Program Location: LEAF Urban Garden, 38339 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
Program Dates: June 22nd to August 6th, 2026 | Mondays & Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
NEW ENTRANCE TO THE LEAF URBAN FARM Access to the LEAF Urban Farm and our parking lot has moved from Mowry Avenue to Mission Boulevard. To enter, head to 38339 Mission Blvd, approach from the Niles direction, and turn right into LEAF just before the Bay Auto Exchange used car dealership.
Events at the LEAF Urban Farm
Join us at the LEAF Urban Farm on the second, third, and fourth Sunday of every month. This month:
LEAF Urban Farm Weekly Volunteer Days are still on Mondays and Thursdays,and LEAF Urban Farm Weekend Volunteer Events have moved to the Second SUNDAY of every month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (next up: Sunday, March 8th).Please register on Eventbriteif you are interested in volunteering.
Events at the LEAF Community Garden (Niles)
Big news! We’re now hosting events at the LEAF Community Garden on the second, third and fourth Saturday of every month. This month:
We’re so excited about expanding our Talkin’ Dirt LIVE gardening classes to include the Fremont Main Library, the Newark Library AND the Union City Library! In addition, we’re hosting Moon Gardening events at the Centerville library.
Talkin’ Dirt LIVE: Learn about Starting Veggies from Seed, and Using Soil Blocking
Fremont Main Library (Fukaya Room A): Saturday, March 7th, 11 a.m. - Noon
Union City Library: Saturday, March 21st, 1 - 2 p.m.
Moon Gardening: Prepping Your Garden
Centerville Library: Wednesday, March 18th, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Also, don’t forget about Talkin’ Dirt Online: Tonight, March 4th, 7 - 8 p.m.
We’ve moved our event sign-ups from MeetUp to Eventbrite to make registration smoother, quicker, and more reliable for you. If you’ve previously followed us on MeetUp for event announcements, please create an Eventbrite account (if you haven’t already) and follow LEAF’s Eventbrite page to receive our latest event updates and sign up for events. Thank you!
LEAF Secures Grant from Ava Community Energy
Thank you to our local electricity provider, Ava Community Energy, for their recent grant for LEAF! Their support will allow us to expand our gardens and nursery at the LEAF Urban Farm so we can increase our produce donations.
Ava provides clean energy at lower rates and reinvests in our community through programs, grants, and sponsorships. Learn more at AvaEnergy.org!
Community Events from ACWD
Don’t Be Fooled – Understand and Maintain Your Irrigation System:This April Fools’ Day, outsmart the real trickster: your irrigation system. Learn about the different parts of your irrigation system, how to find and fix common leaks, and adjust your irrigation controllers in time for summer. Information about ACWD’s Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Rebate and Irrigation Hardware Rebate will be provided. This webinar will be taught by irrigation expert, Frank Niccoli.
When: Wednesday, April 1st from 6:30 PM – 8 PM Where: Via Zoom (link will be emailed before webinar) REGISTER HERE - Class is free, but registration is required.
The Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tourshowcases gardens that provide habitat for wildlife, are water conserving, free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and contain 70% or more native plants. The gardens featured in the tour will demonstrate that, from postage-stamp sized yards to large lots, beautiful California native plant gardens are possible for anyone. Attend the tour in-person on 5/2/2026 and 5/3/2025. For more information and to register for this free event, visit the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour website.
At LEAF, we believe in a world where every community has the knowledge and resources to work in harmony with nature to cultivate a healthier planet. Our urban gardens serve as living classrooms, soil science labs, and community spaces that empower people to learn, connect, and grow together.
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