In Los Angeles, a city defined by dense development and scarce green space, projects that blend ecology, education, and social interaction are particularly vital. Ocean View Farms (OVF) is a shining example of such an initiative. It is a large urban farm and gardening community that has provided residents with fresh produce, promoted sustainable practices, and united people of all ages, professions, and cultural backgrounds for over forty years. Read more at los-angeles.name.
History of Creation
Ocean View Farms was established in 1977 by a group of enthusiasts eager to grow food on a hillside in West Los Angeles overlooking Santa Monica Bay. The concept of utilizing urban land for gardening was spearheaded by Mayor Tom Bradley, with initial funding provided by the federal agency CETA. The land occupied by the farm is owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and is administered by the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks.
Originally occupying just a few acres, OVF gradually expanded to six acres. Today, over 300 gardeners work here. They tend to roughly 500 plots—each measuring about 15 by 15 feet—separated by convenient pathways and equipped with an irrigation system. The farm also features a large fruit orchard with a variety of trees, the bounty of which is available to all members of the community.
How Does the Farm Work?
The farm sits on territory once used for soy crops. Over time, the land was terraced, divided into plots, and irrigated. An orchard was planted, and conditions were established for organic farming. Today, there are nearly 500 individual garden plots, and the community consists of over 300 gardeners of varying ages, backgrounds, languages, and professions.
Operations at the farm are governed by strict rules. All participants are required to adhere to organic growing methods: synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, chemical herbicides, and other industrial products are prohibited on the premises. Everything grown at OVF must be eco-friendly and safe for the soil, plants, and people. Gardeners maintain not only their own plots but also common areas—compost piles, roads, the orchard, and shared resources. Special attention is paid to recycling materials; the farm follows an internal environmental policy aimed at minimizing waste and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
The variety of plants at Ocean View Farms is immense. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers grow here, depending on the gardener’s preference and the season. The on-site fruit orchard is open to all community members. Since OVF is not a commercial project, the goal is not to grow crops for sale. Instead, it is a place where anyone can harvest their own organic food, learn to work the land, spend time outdoors, and be part of an environmental initiative.
Ocean View Farms has a significant impact on the city’s ecological culture. The farm proves that organic agriculture is possible even in a metropolis. Residents can grow healthy food, minimize their environmental footprint, reduce waste through composting, and support biodiversity. It is also a social space where people meet, learn from one another, work together, and become part of a community with shared values.
Social Projects
Ocean View Farms members represent a wide cross-section of the population. The group includes young adults and retirees, blue-collar workers, homemakers, professionals, students, and executives. This gardening community bridges gaps between income levels and nationalities, creating a unique environment for sharing experiences, knowledge, and support. At OVF, “community” implies not just neighbors banding together to grow food, but people who care about the environment and adhere to principles of sustainable living.
Between 1995 and 2006, Ocean View Farms received the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award twelve times from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, now known as CalRecycle. This honor recognized OVF’s long-term contribution to waste reduction, resource efficiency, and the implementation of reuse principles. The farm’s practices have helped significantly reduce waste volume in California while saving money for both OVF and the City of Los Angeles.
Significance for Los Angeles
Ocean View Farms is the largest of more than 60 community gardens in Los Angeles. Beyond simply providing produce for local residents, the farm serves educational and social functions, uniting people around the idea of sustainable and eco-friendly food production. OVF demonstrates that urban spaces can become effective platforms for community development, environmental support, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. It continues to be a place where friendship, environmental awareness, and care for food converge, creating a positive impact on the city and its people.