Oakland, Calif. —The City of Oakland is partnering with Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project, an Oakland urban agriculture and youth development nonprofit, to launch Oakland’s first compost hub at West Oakland Farm Park (2847 Peralta St, Oakland CA 94607), joining a network of nine compost hubs across Alameda County. Compost will be available to Oakland residents starting May 8, 2026, with no limit on how much each resident can take.
Compost is a soil amendment created from decomposed organic materials that enriches the soil with essential nutrients. In urban areas, soils without amendments often lack the health and fertility needed to support the growth of flowers, trees and vegetables.
The compost hub also serves as a placeto provide supplemental education materials about composting and engage residents on the benefits of using the material.
“Oakland’s first compost hub is more than waste diversion. It’s also about building community,” said Liam Garland, Director of Oakland Public Works. “We’re creating a space where residents can learn about composting and take home a high-quality resource that supports healthier gardens and neighborhoods.”
Building on the Earth Day compost giveaways at Oakland community gardens, Oakland residents can now pick up free compost during West Oakland Farm Park’s open hours. The compost is made from Oakland’s food scraps and plant debris collected from curbside compost carts.
“We're fostering a new generation of environmental stewards who provide their community with the tools to grow a greener, more sustainable future,” said Leisel Whitlock Petersen, Executive Director of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project.
By making compost more accessible, the City of Oakland is advancing the urban greening and organic waste diversion goals in its2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan while connecting more residents to the land and soil.
Learn more by visiting anvfarm.org/our-farms/west-oakland-farm-park.
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Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project(ANV) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to elevate life for youth and families in Oakland through urban farming and access to the natural environment. Through environmental education, economic empowerment, and cultural celebration, we provide pathways for young people to lead lives full of dignity, purpose, and joy.
Founded and led primarily by women and People of Color, ANV transforms urban spaces into vibrant farms, green deserts into spaces of abundance, and systemic challenges into opportunities for collective resilience. We invite youth to step into their power, reimagine their futures, and reconnect to the land. Learn more atwww.anvfarm.org
About Oakland Public Works
Oakland Public Works is charged with building,maintaining, and improving the City’s infrastructure including public buildings, sanitary and storm sewers, lighting, and City-owned vehicles and equipment. Public Works provides or administers essential environmental services including solid waste and recycling services; illegal dumping abatement; street sweeping; maintenance of parks, trees, and medians; and watershed management.
Our Mission Statement: Oakland Public Works is dedicated to you! We strive tomaintain,improveand preserve Oakland’s infrastructure and environment for the residents, businesses,visitorsand future generations of every neighborhood in our diverse city.