When RealFarm swung open its huge barn-style doors this season the Bay Area food community came buzzing around like flies. There, amid the rusted patina of tableware styled as farm equipment, urban diners made what Realfarm calls the “compost to kitchen connection.”
“All the produce we serve at RealFarm,” explained owner Devon Sanders, is sourced from our own one bedroom urban farm according to a truly "Hands-Off" philosophy. It has never been sprayed, never been pruned, never been washed. That’s our promise. We also care deeply about food politics. We don't want to participate in a system that abuses immigrant workers. That’s why we source our field-help only from carefully selected retirement communities in Southern California. These people have already enjoyed the American dream, now its time for them to give something back.”
According to Sanders, a true “Beyond Organic” philosophy thrives on Realfarm’s urban farm. “We don't control weeds through artificial methods like plucking” said Sanders. “Instead, we choose to simply harvest and eat the weeds along with the crops. Who the hell are we to tell nature what to grow anyway?”
Sanders went on to enumerate more of the extraordinary measures taken on RealFarm's five-floor walk-up indoor farm. “Each plant is fed by a natural water source. If we happen to notice a spot in our apartment, uh, farm, that looks moist we may choose to plant a seed there. If the plants “take” to the spot, they are nurtured with the utmost care. If nothing sprouts, the empty space is invited to "look within".
Unlike industrial farms where often no emotional bond exists between farmers and produce, RealFarm’s “Agrotherapists” devote themselves completely to nurturing each plant’s natural development, often neglecting themselves entirely in the process. Their practice may involve reading the plant stories, or dutifully reminding it to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
“All our crops are complimented daily on their foliage.” explained Sanders. “It gives them a sense of self-worth that you can absolutely taste.”
With the success of RealFarm, Sanders already has a new project in development. “FarmSpa” which is set to open in the Marina next year will be the country’s first Farm-style Spa. “We are very excited about FarmSpa,” said Sanders. “It’s a way for us to let urban residents really experience the life of a farm animal. Our clients will be able to “graze” for their own meals from our huge terraced indoor fields while receiving a variety of special “agrotherapy” treatments including “prodding,” “fleecing,” and “milking.”
