It was a parking lot in front of a beautiful train station for almost a century. Then the concrete was torn up and Oakland youth planted flowers in the ground.
Farmer-florist Jess Myles managed this farm from 2016 as a job training site for young people, first as part of non-profit project WOW Farm and more recently as GROW Oakland Farm. In 2019 she transitioned it into a small business, continuing with the spirit of community outreach, education, keeping it local, and organic growing practices.
But then, Jess had to move on, and Jane Hammond and Linh Becker took over where Jess left off. This became the perfect pandemic project - and a rapid learning experience. Fortunately, plants want to grow, and now the farm is flourishing with a wide variety of flowers. Years of attention to the soil have resulted in a wonderful growing environment. Recent additions include a beehive, a huge worm bin, butterfly and pollinator plants, and a farm cat. You are welcome to come and visit our garden of peace and sanity, but do make an appointment, as the hours are irregular. Boxcar Flower Farm is at the corner of 16th and Wood Streets.
Flowers, not concrete, in front of the historic 16th Street Station in Oakland
Linh and Jane are the owners and farmers at Boxcar Flower Farm
