Nestled on a 3-acre plot in Petaluma, California, Bounty Farm is a community-driven agricultural project that has been providing fresh, healthy food to food-insecure residents since 2006. The farm operates vegetable fields, a chicken coop, a small orchard, a hothouse, and runs nutrition incentive programs across 15 Sonoma County farmers markets, along with a food recovery network and support for community gardens.
In October 2025, the farm faced a serious existential threat when Petaluma People Services Center — its fiscal sponsor since 2012 — abruptly ended its sponsorship, citing ongoing financial deficits and an inability to reach sustainability. The organization's then-interim director anticipated closure by the end of October.
However, a strong wave of community support convinced farm director Suzi Grady and her team to keep fighting. San Antonio Valley Ranch LLC stepped in as a temporary fiscal sponsor, enabling the farm to continue fundraising and operations through the winter and into the current growing season.
Despite the farm's survival, challenges remain. Finances are tight, and many community members mistakenly believe the farm has shut down. Grady is urgently seeking a permanent fiscal sponsor to secure the organization's long-term future. She stresses that the need for the farm is greater than ever, with food insecurity rising across the region. "The needs for food in this community have only gotten bigger," she said, underscoring why keeping the farm operational is critical.
Read more at Petaluma Argus-Courier
