2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Aglantis

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Volunteering Oportunities

Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Environment, Food, Food Programs, Garden Clubs, Job Training, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection

Mission: ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABLE FARM​ ​The CoCo San Sustainable Farm which is a project of AgLantis TM, a 501c3 non-profit.  ​ QUADRUPLE BOTTOM LINE AgLantis is a California non-profit public benefit corporation,501c3. The work we are doing on the CoCo San Sustainable Farm has a quadruple bottom line – Food Equity, Education and Job Training, Environmental Protection and Economic Development.   PROBLEM & PROPOSED SOLUTION: FOOD EQUITY Food insecurity has dramatically increased, with hundreds of thousands in our county needing help. We provide free sustainably grown produce to schools, the food bank, and other non-profits that feed the poor. We currently grow produce on 1 out of 15 acres of public buffer land and soon we will build a high-tech AgraTech solar light greenhouse (144' X 42'), using recycled, agricultural-grade water, which is otherwise discharged into the Bay.  This recycled water is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients providing free fertilizer.  Hence, we use under-utilized resources to nearly eliminate 4 of the major costs of food production: Land, Water, Nutrients and Transportation.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ HANDS-ON STEM EDUCATION & JOB TRAINING One of the goals of the farm is to educate.  Every aspect of science touches a farm such as physics, soil science, hydrology, meteorology, and nutrition.  We work with local schools and community colleges and other groups to provide students and the rest of the community hands-on opportunities to learn.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and JOB TRAINING Classes on the farm provide job skills training that is relevant to local businesses including hands-on STEM, safety, measurement, and the 21st Century Employability Skills needed to succeed in the workplace. We mentor interns through the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act and other federal programs. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The environment will also benefit because we are rebuilding barren soil, planting crops that sequester carbon and clean the air and increasing ground water.   ​ Nearly 1 trillion gallons of reclaimed water are discharged into the greater San Francisco Bay waterways each year. This water is high in nitrogen and phosphorus which are bad for the Bay, but great for agriculture, providing free fertilizer.  Recycled water is approved by the State of CA for organic agriculture. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ We have dramatically reduced the carbon footprint of this food by growing and delivering locally with natural fertilizer and other sustainable methods. In particular, we will be using regenerative agricultural methods which will increase organic matter in our soil and carbon sequestration in our soil. SCALABLE Sanitary districts in San Francisco Bay Area discharge as much as a trillion gallons of water in a year into the Bay waterways.  They also have thousands of acres of buffer land.  Our business model is scalable and once proven, can be replicated with other sanitary districts

Community Stories

20 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

BarbaraGertz Board Member

Rating: 5

03/29/2023

If you want to see the possibility of regenerative agriculture in action, you'll find it at this farm. Aglantis’ CoCo San Sustainable Farm feeds body, mind and soul.

The organization helps people facing food insecurity access highly nutritious veggies. At the farm we raise and harvest crops for donation to outstanding partner organizations including the CC & Solano Food Bank, and Loaves and Fishes.

Volunteers enjoy working side by side as a diverse group across ages, farming experience levels, and backgrounds. We share in common that in between farm days, we miss having our hands in the rich soil and breathing in the air. We get great exercise and learn a lot through trial and observation.

Spending time on the farm, you may find yourself asking about smart ways to provide even more people with access to fresh, nutritious food, and how the spread of agricultural sustainability can be accelerated to create a more stable food supply and combat climate change. You’ll appreciate the farmers and food workers who produce the food you eat more than ever.

Aglantis' work in concert with science and nature seeds hope and innovation.

-Barbara Gertz

K9lover4life Volunteer

Rating: 5

03/22/2023

Aglantis' work is truly amazing. The organization transformed what was once desert land into fertile ground producing tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce for those in need. I have personally volunteered at various nonprofits and saw how Aglantis' produce is used to feed those in need. I also enjoy working with Carolyn, who is passionate about her mission and teaching volunteers about regenerative farming. It has been great to become friends with the regular volunteers as well .

1

mmithaiwala Volunteer

Rating: 5

03/20/2023

Aglantis and working with Carolyn and the volunteers has been a sheer delight, Its been a privilege to be a part of this project, Getting my hands in the soil to harvest fresh vegetables as well as my true love which is pulling weeds has been a great for my overall mental health

1

lukem123 Volunteer

Rating: 5

03/19/2023

Wonderful work helping grow food for charity on a regenerative farm that is good for the environment!

1

EdiBirsan General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

03/19/2023

I have followed them from the start and this has been a great contribution not only in the form of produce for the community but also important to me is that it is a conduit for volunteers seeking to build the very foundation of community: caring for each other that is a fundamental value that we all should have.

1

mcbontia Volunteer

Rating: 5

08/04/2021

Great outdoor, volunteer opportunity, especially during covid times when needing to socially distance. A non profit, volunteer run farm that donates all produce harvested to communities in need such as Contra Costa and Solano food banks, while focusing on environmental preservation, education and community.
Not only am I contributing to a great cause, but am also learning gardening tips for my own edible garden. This was a win/win experience.

1

MarcusSanto Volunteer

Rating: 5

08/02/2021

This Farm is a PHENOMENAL place to volunteer! Carolyn (director) is one of the most down to earth people I have worked with. I have recently been overwhelmed with work and other life obligations and haven't made it out to the farm, and it feels like I have been neglecting myself because of how amazing this place is. Aglantis is a wonderful, healing, and powerful organization to spend time at, and deserves all the praise it gets!

Trent N. Board Member

Rating: 5

08/02/2021

Aglantis is doing a wonderful job of promoting regenerative agriculture!

Colleen N.3 Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/15/2020

I started volunteering at the farm a few months ago and each time I go, I learn more about growing food and how to harvest the different crops for our community. Carolyn shares the importance of what we are doing, and I agree with her--nobody in our county should go hungry when we have extra land and water to grow healthy food! I am amazed at the productivity of the farm and the variety of crops we have been able to grow. I am so thankful I found a volunteer position that allows me to be outside and help others!

2

jali Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/01/2020

I first learned about Coco San Sustainable Farm ( Aglantis) after reading about it in the Edible East Bay magazine. I was completely impressed by how one woman, Caroyln Phinney, was able not only to imagine bringing farm fresh produce to the Contra Costa Food Bank and local schools but she actually made it happen. So of course after reading her story I had to meet Carolyn and I had to volunteer on her farm.
What it took for Carolyn to get 15 acres of dirt to evolve into a beautiful and productive vegetable farm is nothing short of amazing.
I try to volunteer once a week at the farm and honestly wish I had more time. There is something so magical about working with the land, harvesting the produce and seeing the changes in the farm from week to week.
It’s also great to see the work and dedication of individuals like Carolyn in action, helping the community.

2

Markesha B. Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/29/2020

I really enjoy being a part of something so significant as volunteering at a farm that was built to provide nutritiously balanced meals to those in need of healthier food choices. I love that I get to help and also learn more about gardening/growing food. I've enjoyed the times that I have spent on the farm learning and harvesting.

1

WaterEngineer Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/29/2020

This is just such an amazing project in so many ways. It's about feeding people in need; growing food sustainably and locally; using a local and sustainable water source (recycled water); teaching young people new career building skills in a way that inspires them; and bringing people together to build community, learn about the environment, and have fun. And there's much more!

2

ljcraz Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/28/2020

I volunteered to get involved at the garden, And the response was very quick and welcoming. The meetup ap makes volunteer opportunities very easy

2

BeneAle Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/28/2020

I've volunteered at the garden 5 or 6 times over the last 2 months; it's been a great experience every time. It gets me up and going on Saturday mornings, it's a good workout, and of course the best part is that all the food is donated.

2

jlshort Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/28/2020

This organization is doing amazing work using creative and sustainable urban agriculture methods to deliver high quality, nutritious produce to schools and communities in need.

2

mcgill1951 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

10/19/2020

AgLantis runs the CoCoSan Sustainable Farm, a 15 acre piece of Central San buffer land. They demonstrate the value of using agricultural grade recycled water and buffer land to grow food to donate to the Food Bank and other non-profits. They address the food equity issue and also do hands on STEM education and job training. This project promotes economic development in general, and specifically along the Northern Waterfront in Contra Costa County. They address many area of environmental education. As a Board Member of Central San I'm proud of their work and outreach.
Michael R. McGill, P.E.; Board President Central San

2

kellyyang Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/18/2020

This urban farm produces so much! When I go for volunteering, we usually harvest hundreds of pounds of vegetables, and take them to donate to food bank and other charity organizations. The work that we put in is directly translating into all the vegetables produced and immediately helping the local community. It's such a great experience to be part of this nonprofit group.

3

GardenVolunteer2020 Volunteer

Rating: 5

09/02/2020

I volunteered here yesterday and loved it!!! It sure is nice to be out there doing nice things for others!!!!

3

aglantisgail Volunteer

Rating: 5

08/20/2020

I volunteered at the farm for the first time for Michelle Obama's 1st Day of Service on aMartin Luther King Jr. weekend many years ago. I've watched it grow, literally, from an empty lot with hard dirt to a vibrant, beautiful, eco-friendly, sustainable farm producing 10's of thousands of pounds of beautiful organic produce to local food banks and more. I've enjoyed volunteering with a diverse group of volunteers of all ages to help plant, nurture and harvest herbs and vegetables. I can't say enough great things about this project and everyone involved - especially Ms. Carolyn. :)

3

BonitaBelle Volunteer

Rating: 5

08/20/2020

Aglantis is the realization of a utopian dream of turning waste products and waste land into a Garden of Eden which provides fresh, nutritious produce for poor and hungry people. It is 21st century alchemy which turns lead into gold. It has been a privilege for me to be an Aglantis volunteer. I hope that the Aglantis model will be replicated across the country, and around the world.

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