About Us
Lopez Urban Farm is a 3.5-acre community space in Pomona, in partnership with Pomona Unified School District, where food, education, and culture come together.
We offer an open urban agriculture environment where people can harvest fresh produce, learn through hands-on programs, and take part in community-led events. Our work is rooted in green space, food access, education, radical partnerships, and an alternative economy grounded in “take what you need, pay what you can.”
Through collaboration with local artists, educators, and organizers, the farm continues to grow as a shared space for connection, learning, and care.
We can feed ourselves together.
About Ignacio Lopez
Ignacio Lopez, a pioneer in civil rights, founded the Spanish-language newspaper El Espectador in 1933. His tireless efforts evolved El Espectador into a platform for civil rights advocacy, addressing issues like police brutality and segregation.
Lopez's landmark legal victory in the case Lopez v. Seccombe set a precedent against discriminatory practices and was later cited in the historic Brown v. Board of Education case.
FOOD SECURITY:
Through our urban farming initiatives, we tackle food security issues by cultivating and distributing fresh produce in Pomona’s District 2. We firmly believe that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right, essential for everyone to thrive and nourish their bodies.
EDUCATION:
Our dedication to education reflects in partnerships with Pomona Unified School District, where we educate youth on sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship. We view education as pivotal in shaping a more sustainable and resilient tomorrow, empowering individuals and communities to effect positive change.
GREEN SPACE:
Our emphasis on green spaces stems from the belief that everyone deserves access to nature and the outdoors. We strive to create inclusive green areas that foster a sense of community and belonging, inviting everyone to enjoy and connect with nature.
Fostering Change: Empowering Innovative Community Projects
We take immense pride in our role as a nurturing incubator for innovative, smaller projects that are making a big impact in our community. We believe that these small projects, like Indigeknowledge and Bodega Comunitaria hold the potential to create lasting, positive change. Here's why we're passionate about supporting and helping them grow.
Our Partners & Collaborators
Alkebulan African Diasporic Garden
Focus: African diasporic agriculture, cultural land stewardship, and community education.
Stewards: Christopher Lewis & Shadiyah Omar
Urban Butterfly Garden
Steward: Alicia Valle
Focus: Pollinator habitat and butterfly education.
Steward: Julian Ibanez Mandujano
Indigeknowledge
Focus: Indigenous seed saving, native gardening, traditional ecological knowledge, and the Native Heritage Festival.
Cosmic Labyrinth
Focus: Living labyrinth for reflection, land connection, and community gathering.
Steward: Indy Rishi Singh
Obsidian Tongues Poetry Circle
Facilitators: Ceasar Avelar & Peter Lechuga
Focus: Weekly poetry circle and spoken word programming.
Community Wellness Programming
Facilitator: Juanita Rivas-Raymer
Focus: Family-friendly bilingual yoga and wellness programming.
Goat Skate Ramp Program
Partners: Pawn Shop Pomona, Community Forged, Vans
Focus: Youth skate access, skate lending library, camps, and intergenerational skate culture.
Lead: Nate Alton & Brien Esparza
Rooted Connections
Facilitators: Dionne Williams & Kelly Philips
Program: QTBIPOC Circle
We Do It For Pomona
Program: Sound healing gatherings.
Focus: Family-friendly bilingual sound baths for the community
Latino Latina Roundtable
Programs: Día de los Muertos celebration and community Posada.
The Arts Area
Collaboration: Lopez Urban Arts Fest.
Mosh For Youth
Programs: Community events and Mosh Mercado
Jam-A-Lot
Programs: Farm-fresh preserves and pickles.
Mutual Aid Markets
Programs: Bodega Comunitaria, Pomona Fridge, Hope Esperanza & 909 Mutual Aid
The Human Values Center
Programs: We All Lead Teen Peer Counseling Program and youth mentorship.
Cal Poly Pomona
Program: College Corps Student Fellows
Pitzer College
Programs: Community Engagement Center and CASA Pitzer collaborations.
Western University of Health Sciences
Programs: College of Graduate Nursing, Veterinary Education, Husky Days with Lopez Elementary, and the Urban Kitchen nutrition education center
Project Horseshoe Farm
Program: Fellowship collaboration
Athens Services
Support: Trash services and free community compost
Foothill Family Services
Role: Neighbor and partner connecting families to resources
Curious Publishing
Lead Collaborator: Rebecca Ustrell
Program: ILL Anthology and poetry publishing collaborations
Collaboration: Half-acre expansion project.
Nourished For Purpose
Executive Leadership
Stephen Yorba Patten — Executive Director
Nathaly Moreno — Board President
Officers
Kady Bennett — Treasurer
Jackie Rangel — Secretary
Board Members
Julian Ibanez Mandujano
Bianca Ustrell
Ceasar Avelar
Christopher Lewis
Marilyn Grell Brisk