A ‘green oasis’ in the community
With Spring in full swing, it is important for residents of South Los Angeles to have an outdoor escape enriched with health, culture, and history. Fortunately, one won’t have to look much further, because the city of Watts is home to a beautiful escape by the name of Mudtown Farms.
Mudtown Farms is located at 2001 E. 103rd St. in Watts. Mudtown Farms (MTF) is a non-profit organization and project of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). The WLCAC was established by Ted Watkins following the 1965 Watts Riots. The farm comprises of 2.5 acres of farmland that is open for families to engage in year-round activities and conversations about growing food from soil to table.
Alicia Salmerton-Blaisdell is the farm manager. “WLCAC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents of Watts and the neighboring community,” she said.
Mudtown Farms is an organic farm and all food that is grown on site is given to the local community. The farm is open to the public six days a week from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and residents are welcome to relax, explore, sit under a tree, take a walk on the track, or use the outdoor exercise equipment if desired. Volunteers are welcome to participate in local free food distribution at the main location, located at 10950 S. Central Ave. from 7:30 to 10 a.m. every first and third Wednesday.
The public is welcome to volunteer and assist in farming on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Staff members are on hand to help train volunteers on how to properly assist with farm work. The farm is equipped with over 120 fruit-bearing trees. Summer nights on the farm are home to workshops and activities and later hours for the farm.
On Saturday, May 4, the farm will host a pilates class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The organization will be providing free workshops with unlimited seating on both May 11 and May 25. May 11 will serve as a “Gardening in Small Spaces” workshop and May 25 will serve as a second workshop entitled, “Gardening in Your Backyard” both from noon to 2 p.m. Donations and helping hands with farming, or people wanting to volunteer time to teach cooking classes would be appreciated.
For more information follow @mudtownfarmswatts.
