Rediscovering our Roots at Common Roots Farm
by J. A. Romanoff
Situated a few blocks from the intersection of Highways 1 and 9 and only 3/4 of a mile from Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, Common Roots Farm is a four acre urban farm where people with and without disabilities grow healthy food and build community sustainabiy and ecologically.
The farm was founded by Heidi Cartan in 2016. Her vision was of a place where people with disabilities, like her son Noah, severely affected by cerebral palsy but very social and active, could participate fully in the running of a farm. Facilities at the farm are adapted to the needs of people on wheelchairs, and each disabled person is personally helped by his or her own support person.
In a world where disabled people can be excluded, Common Roots Farm offers an exceptional opportunity for people with special needs to be included and warmly accepted. The farm also offers those without disabilities the opportunity to grow food and community, working in cooperation with those who have autism, cerebral palsy, and other health challenges.
When asked about the name of the farm, “Common Roots”, farm manager Nin Vukicezic said, “The shared experiences of working together side by side, in the beauty of nature, breaks down barriers. The word “roots”, reminds us of our shared humanity. We all generally want similar things in life: to be close to nature and close to each other. At the farm we can learn about ourselves, who we really are as a human family, connected by our common roots.”
In only four years, Common Roots Farm has ramped up production to include strawberries, red raspberries, hot peppers, summer squashes, cucumbers, pole and bush beans, onions, melons, winter squash, lettuce, asparagus, chicken eggs, and varieties of colorful flowers.
Currently the harvest season ends their growing year, but they hope to extend that season in the future, with a goal of eventually growing year-round. More than 30 chickens live at the farm, and the staff hopes to add goats soon. The farm is collaborating with Terroir In A Jar, a company that turns farm produce into jams and other commercial products. And excess farm produce is donated to a charity that gives free food to people with low incomes.
A small staff of paid workers is assisted by a large group of enthusiastic volunteers from the community. A year-round housing community for up to 20 families is currently being built on the property, that could open as soon as the spring of 2021. This community will be populated by families of people with disabilities and will be specifically designed to fit their needs.
The COVID-19 virus crisis has temporarily limited some activities of Common Roots Farm, like classes and seasonal festivals, and the farm is temporarily closed to visitors. Nevertheless, anyone in the community who wishes to contribute financial support and/or volunteer at the farm, can visit commonrootsfarm.org to learn more
This Thanksgiving, as well as throughout the year, we can be thankful that Common Roots Farm is making a positive contribution to our community.
J. A. Romanoff is a writer, teacher, and musician. Contact her at ja_romanoff@yahoo.com.
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