Cal Poly Pomona Volunteers Honor Cesar Chavez Day at Compton’s Moonwater Farm

A Compton urban farm dedicated to food equity and sustainability recently welcomed two dozen volunteers from Cal Poly Pomona for a day of service honoring labor rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Moonwater Farm, a community resource co-founded by Plant Science Professor Kathleen Blakistone, hosted 24 students, staff, alumni, and faculty on April 2 for a full day of hands-on learning and environmental stewardship. The event was organized by Cal Poly Pomona’s Center for Community Engagement.

Volunteers participated in various farm activities including wool processing, trenching, composting, planting seeds, weeding, animal feeding, and painting. They also had the opportunity to make tamales, observe a beehive up close, and taste fresh honey directly from the hive.

“The visit from Cal Poly Pomona volunteers brought so much energy and care to the farm,” said Blakistone. “Days of service gather people across differences—grounded by places, connected by purpose. Working side by side, we remember that care for land and community is inseparable.”

Moonwater Farm stands as an important resource in Compton, championing social justice and food equity while providing educational opportunities for community members and visitors. The urban farm demonstrates sustainable agriculture practices in an urban setting, helping address food access challenges that affect many Compton residents.

For many volunteers, the event offered their first-ever visit to a farm and a fresh perspective on food systems. Camille McCurry, a food and science technology major, shared her experience: “Urban agriculture helps bring food production back to our neighborhoods. The hard work becomes a shared, community practice that’s both fun and rewarding.”

Beyond providing fresh produce, Moonwater Farm serves as an educational space where community members can learn about sustainable farming practices, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. The farm exemplifies a growing movement of urban agriculture initiatives in communities like Compton that work to improve food sovereignty and create green spaces in urban environments.

“Classrooms can teach theory, but justice lives in practice,” Blakistone said. “Service learning creates space for students to move from ideas to action—learning through relationships, accountability, and the work of showing up.”

The ongoing partnership between Cal Poly Pomona and Moonwater Farm demonstrates how educational institutions can engage meaningfully with local communities to address food equity challenges while providing hands-on learning opportunities.

Compton residents interested in learning more about Moonwater Farm’s programs and volunteer opportunities can follow the Center for Community Engagement on Instagram (@ccecpp) or visit their website.