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South Stockton community farm in danger of extinction

Money is needed for water, compost, seeds, fuel for the tractor and expertise on how to grow fruits and vegetables.

Almus and Inez Aldridge are what you call urban farmers.

"The best thing is the atmosphere. And, also it's how we grow food, natural food," said Almus.

They grow their tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs and more at the Boggs Tract Community Farm in a poorer neighborhood of South Stockton.

The land is owned by the Port of Stockton and leased for $1 a year.

However, the non-profit Puentes that runs the farm says they may have to shut down the seven-year operation if they don't get the donations they need to keep operating.

Some grants they were counting on didn't come through. And, an annual fundraiser hasn't happened in two years.

"So, if we aren't finding a way to close the gap on that funding, we're not going to be able to afford to keep growing things," says Puentes Deputy Director, Kenda Templeton.

Money is needed for water, compost, seeds, fuel for the tractor and expertise on how to grow fruits and vegetables.

About 30 families have plots they grow on the nearly seven-acre site.

If you would like to help with a donation, click here for the GoFundMe.

@kurtrivera

Almus and Inez Aldridge are what you call urban farmers.

"And the food is so good, so nourishing to the body," said Almus Aldridge, standing next to his wife near his garden plot.

The couple is one of nearly 30 families that spends about 4 days a week, 3 hours a day on the Boggs Tract Community Farm, tending to their herb, flower and vegetable garden.

They keep the food they grow, donate it or sell it back to the non-profit Puentes, which oversees the nearly 7 acre garden on land leased for a dollar a year from the Port of Stockton.

"I think the best thing for me is the sense of community and getting to know people that work on the farm, volunteers," said Inez Aldridge.

Not only do farmers plant all kinds of row crops here, but also rows of fruit trees, chickens and honey.

But it could all go away.

That's because the farm, in one of the poorer neighborhoods of the city, is in desperate need of funds.

Some grant monies didn't come through.

And, a fundraiser that past couple years hasn't happened.

"So if we aren't finding a way to close the gap on that funding, we're not going to be able to afford to keep growing things," said Puentes Deputy Director, Kenda Templeton.

Water alone can cost over $1000 in the warmer months.

There are costs for fuel for the tractor, compost, seeds and more.

"We're working with some of our other grants to maybe try and to reallocate some of that funding and increase our scope of work. However, there's no guarantee on that," said Templeton.

And for newer farmers like Clifton Maxwell, the closure would be a blow to the soul.

"I think it would cause a lot of disconnect if something like this were to go away at a time where we really need to connect people," said Maxwell.

The Boggs Tract Community Farm you might say is still ripe to be picked for it's continued service to the community.

If you would like to help with a donation, click here for the GoFundMe.

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