Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Robleto.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In early 2016 the Westgate CRA (community redevelopment agency) put out a request for qualifications for starting an urban community agriculture project on vacant land in the Westgate neighborhood of WPB. I was selected and began work transforming a 1.1-acre lot into a lush farmscape. Since then, we have increased the scope of our work to include two weekly on-site farmer’s markets, a paid apprenticeship program, community garden beds, and hosting field trips and volunteer groups.
We accept SNAP/EBT and are proud to participate in the Fresh Access Bucks program (we’re the only ones in Palm Beach County), which doubles SNAP benefits for purchases of Florida fresh fruits and vegetables. Our farmer’s market runs from October through May and features a wide variety of organically grown fruits, and vegetables picked fresh from the farm. Our mission is to improve access to fresh, affordable produce for neighborhood residents, and to provide meaningful educational opportunities on the farm.
At our farm, we grow fruits and vegetables without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides. We believe that healthy food begins with healthy soil. We nourish the soil, adding organic material and utilizing sustainable growing techniques such as cover cropping, crop rotation, mulching and companion planting. We prepare the soil for planting using a walk- behind tiller and a small 1940’s Ford tractor but the majority of the farm work we do by hand, such as weeding, seeding, planting, harvesting, fertilizing, picking off harmful insects and mulching.
Has it been a smooth road?
Fortunately, we have had the unwavering support, financial and otherwise, of the staff at the Westgate CRA, which has allowed this project to reach its potential in a relatively short amount of time. Some challenges have come from the county planning and zoning department since there was previously no designation for urban community agriculture.
Through much effort on the part of the CRA staff, we were able to make an amendment to the county code to allow for community farms and gardens in PBC, removing the kinds of barriers that could make this kind of project unfeasible (landscape buffer requirements were excessive, for example).
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Westgate Community Farm – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Most of this is included in the answer to the question about our story, but in addition to that, we specialize in diversified organic vegetable production, including some items that are specific to the countries of origin of Westgate residents.
Below is a complete list of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers that we grow on the farm. These crops are available for purchase seasonally.
Fruits and Vegetables: Asian Greens, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Calabaza, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collards, Colinabo, Cucumber, Daikon, Dry Beans, Eggplant, Green Beans, Green Onions, Hot Peppers, Jute, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Melon, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Pigeon Peas, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Winter Squash.
Fruit, Nut and Spice Trees: Avocado, Banana, Guava, Lychee, Papaya, Passionfruit, Starfruit, Barbados Cherry, Sapote Mamey, Mango, Avocado, Mulberry, Grape Vine, Cashew, Tamarind, Cinnamon, Bayleaf, Allspice.
Medicinal and Culinary Plants: Ashwagandha, Basil, Cilantro, Culantro, Epazote, Dill, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Sage, Papalo, Mint, Chives, Rosemary, Ginger, Turmeric.
Flowers: Marigold, Nasturtium, Zinnia, Sunflowers, Ageratum, Strawflower, Cosmo, Salvia, Calendula, Echinacea, Bee Balm, Statice, Amaranth, Celosia.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment was actually on a quite average market day when I saw a neighbor, who is an indigenous Mayan and working mother of young children, and who I happened to know was taking advantage of the Fresh Access Bucks program, leaving the farm with a full bag of products under each arm. I knew at that moment that we were achieving what we had set out to do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1130 Wabasso Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33409
- Website: westgatecommunityfarm.com
- Phone: 863-417-5479
- Email: thegatefarm@gmail.com
- Instagram: @westgatecommunityfarm
- Facebook: @wetgatecommunity
Image Credit:
Aviva Asher
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
