Responding to Rising Need: How ALMA Is Growing Forward
First and foremost, thank you for making ALMA Backyard Farms a part of your Sunday. We write to you today with deep gratitude as ALMA moves into a season of remarkable connection and growth.
We know this moment is only possible because of the steady support and belief you have shown in us over the years, and we want to take this chance to thank you for helping us arrive here.
What’s Happening & Why
Something extraordinary has been happening at our Farm Stands. The number of guests arriving has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen. People are not just coming to buy produce; they are coming to be together, to linger, to talk, to share.
We believe this surge of interest is not accidental. In a time when the world can feel divided, people look for small sanctuaries, places that remind them of our shared humanity. At ALMA, they are discovering a kind of paradise — a space where conversation flows freely and where healing feels possible. What we are witnessing now is the profound power of the farm to bring people together.
What We’re Doing
This moment also calls us to rise in new ways. Part of sustaining this momentum is making sure that what we offer, in both environment and harvest, remains welcoming, abundant, and accessible, so that heightened community engagement can continue to grow. To that end, we are making thoughtful changes to adapt to this unprecedented interest:
Adjusting the flow of traffic on our grounds so you can better connect with plants and people.
Offering more local, organic, and culturally relevant produce to satisfy your taste buds.
Installing and updating physical assets to keep your visit extraordinary and enjoyable.
Hiring additional staff to be of service and offer their friendly energy and smiles.
Training Farm Stand Staff to meet the needs of larger crowds and uphold ALMA’s hospitality.
For ALMA to be more than a farm — for it to be a movement — our Farm Stands need to remain places people want to return to again and again. We are also investing in the long-term future. As many of you know, we are working toward the addition of a third urban farm location, alongside an expansion of our Jobs Program and Education Programs focused on serving South L.A. County. Our Growth Strategy has been refined, and if you are interested in learning more about this next chapter, we invite you to reach out to us.
What You Can Do
We want to share what we’re seeing first of all because it feels important to pause and thank you for being the person who has helped us get here. We also want to ask for your partnership in maximizing this energy. As we stand at this threshold of possibility, we welcome your ideas, your connections, and your resources to help us carry this work forward. Please reach out via email, social media, or simply stop by a Farm Stand to continue sharing your talents and celebrating your passions with us. ALMA's strength is collective and we value each gift of attention, time, and passion shared in community.
