The city of Oakland has launched its first free compost hub in partnership with a local nonprofit urban farming organization.

The organization, Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project, will have unlimited compost available for Oakland residents at West Oakland Farm Park, located at 2847 Peralta St., in Oakland. 

The hub is part of a network of nine compost stations launched in Alameda County in an effort to bring the organic soil nutrient addition to more urban environments that often lack access to nutrient-rich soil for gardening, according to a statement from the city. 

Compost is managed organic material such as food scraps or lawn clippings that uses oxygen and natural microorganisms to break down and decompose, transforming the material into a soil addition that adds nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Leisel Whitlock Petersen, executive director of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project, said the project was launched with an eye on providing more sustainable resources for the home gardeners of the future. 

“We’re fostering a new generation of environmental stewards who provide their community with the tools to grow a greener, more sustainable future,” Petersen said in a statement. 

Educational demonstrations will also be held at the farm park to help residents learn about compost, which can also be used as mulch and to improve soil density and water retention. 

The project was launched as part of the goal of reducing food waste as part of Oakland’s 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan, a list of climate action items to take by 2030. 

But Oakland Public Works Department Director Liam Garland said creating access to compost at the urban farm would also create a gathering space for urban gardeners. 

“Oakland’s first compost hub is more than waste diversion. It’s also about building community,” said Liam Garland, Director of Oakland Public Works. “We’re creating a space where residents can learn about composting and take home a high-quality resource that supports healthier gardens and neighborhoods.” 

The compost is made from Oakland’s curbside compost program that collects household yard waste and food scraps, according to the city. 

It is available at the farm during its open hours, which are Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.