Farm on Putah Creek

Free Spirit Farm

In 2008, the Farm on Putah Creek also became the base of operations for Free Spirit Farm and its farmer, Toby Hastings. In a creative partnership, the Center for Land-Based Learning leases land and infrastructure to Free Spirit Farm to grow produce and flowers for a 40-member CSA and over 40 restaurants in San Francisco. In exchange for a small rental fee, Free Spirit Farm provides produce for FARMS and SLEWS field days, and the Farm (and Toby) is available for educational tours and workshops for GreenCorps and other groups who visit the Farm on Putah Creek.

In 2012, Toby will become the “mentor farmer” for up to 10 beginning farmers in the California Farm Academy’s farm business incubator. He will assist new farmers with their cropping plans, irrigation and equipment needs, and marketing efforts.

Toby holding flowers in a field