City Slicker Farms

Samaki Dorsey, West Oakland Backyard Gardener and Mentor

West Oakland resident Samaki Dorsey is a Jill-of-all trades. In less than three years, Samaki has become a Backyard Gardener, a Mentor to other program participants, an interim staff member, and a member of the Farm Park Council. When asked what excites her most, Samaki says that “growing foods I’ve never grown before, including growing foods I’ve never eaten before, is exciting.” She goes on to say, “It’s powerful to hear stories from other backyard gardeners about the impact City Slicker Farms has had on their health and on their lives.”

Samaki hopes that the Park and Farm will bring the neighborhood together. “The idea of City Slicker Farms having a forever home is especially exciting to me, considering the skyrocketing real estate prices we have going on right now," she says. "Since I am a fairly new west Oakland resident, getting involved with City Slicker farms has been a great way to meet my community and people from all walks of life.”

Ernestine Nettles, member of the Farm Park Council and Backyard Gardener

Farm Park Council member and lifelong West Oaklander Ernestine Nettles has a deep-rooted connection to gardening in West Oakland: She has been doing it since the 1940s. “Have you ever seen the early birds at the farm stand?” she asks. “They used to get there because they like to have their pick of things, especially the eggs. Somewhere between all that waiting, they started sharing stories and recipes. Now, they look out for each other and notice if someone is missing. The park is going to provide plenty more opportunities for that.” 

Ernestine says that the community of the farm stand reminds her of the connections she used to have with others in her community around food. “Food exchanges and gardens [in West Oakland] were prolific in the 40’s and 50’s when I was a girl. City Slicker Farms’ programs are a return to a strong sense of community and a healthy community.”

Senay Alkebu-lan, Youth Intern at City Slicker Farms for the last four years

Four years ago, Senay’s Alkebu-lan’s dad brought home a flier for City Slicker Farms' Youth Crew and suggested his son, then 12 years old, apply. Four years later, this 16-year old high school senior, who was born and raised in West Oakland, is a self-professed science geek and a dedicated member of the Youth Crew. “West Oakland is my home," he says. "That makes my work with City Slicker Farms personally relevant.” City Slicker Farms, he says, has connected him to nature.  So much so, he even “appreciates bugs more.”

Bob Baty, Volunteer

After Bob learned about City Slicker Farms through his beekeeping club three years ago, he showed up for drop-in volunteer hours at City Slicker Farms’ Secret Garden. He's shown up weekly ever since. He says – modestly – that, “City Slicker Farms has greatly improved my gardening skills. I started at about a 1 and now I’m about a 7.5.”

He sees the promise of the new Park and Farm. “It is important that West Oakland has farmland available for its residents so that we retain faith in the social structure, have hope for a brighter future, and have a stronger connection to food production." 

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