The participants discussed fixing the greenhouse and brainstormed ways to prevent future vandalism. Many of the structure's plexiglass panels will need to be replaced, particularly panels that are spray-painted. Attempting to remove the paint degrades the quality of sun-light which passes through. Proposals were made concerning commercial sponsorship. Maybe a company that makes such panels would donate replacements?

Alemany Youth Farm's primary goal is to grow vegetable seedlings in the greenhouse as part of its urban farming mission. The idea is to use available space in City to grow food and encourage SF residents to have back-yard vegetable plots. Locally grown produce does not have to be transported far, which means its production consumes less energy and causes less pollution. Also, international food shipments may not always be available. The greenhouse seedlings would be sold at discount rates to promote food gardening and fund the project.

The farm is a living connection to the Bay Area's vibrant agricultural past. Once part of the now defunct San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners, it stood neglected for some time before being revitalized a couple of years back. Rows of vegetables take in the South City sun. Fruit trees grow on the hillside. There is even a pond and bee-keeping boxes. The staff also work with local young people to teach them job skills in landscaping and design.

Native Spaces is proposing to use a portion of the greenhouse space to propagate native plants. The farm already has its own genetic stock of large, mature specimens. This Hummingbird Sage, intertwines with a Cleveland Sage along the border of a food planting bed. Each of these larger salvia can be replicated by cuttings.

Sales of the natives would then also help support the greenhouse. The potential partnership could compliment the farm's food security mission. People will always want ornamental plants as well as food gardens. Why not work to restore the local flora while growing vegetables?

Native Spaces Field Director, Jesse Meachman, who is also a soil specialist and propagation expert, seems exited by the idea.

"We can grow many endemic species here and produce local plants that are difficult, if not impossible, to find commercially," Meacham said.

The Native Spaces Apprenticeship program could also work alongside the farm's current youth training program. As a fundamentally environmentally sound trend in the gardening business, native plant expertise is becoming increasingly valuable to employers -- especially employers who offer entry-level jobs in landscaping and design.

For more information about this project or to help out:

info@nativespaces.org