In September 2013, Long Beach firefighters moved of the building at Gundry and 65th Street which they had occupied since the 1930s and into a new facility just a few blocks away.

Their departure from the old Spanish Colonial-style building which is now listed as an Historical Landmark, offered an opportunity that Nehyam Neighborhood Association seized.

The city granted them a lease to create a demonstration climate-friendly mini-park garden with a teaching farm on the grounds of the old fire station. 

University of California master gardeners began teaching classes in growing fruits and veggies; they also added new elements to the site now called the Fire House Community Farm.

The Fire House Community Farm now includes ten different fruit trees, a living fence with berries and grapes, a shade garden, pollinator garden, a patio garden, raised-bed gardens and a composting operation. We just added a bee colony Spring of 2021.

The future goals are to rehabilitate the building and utilize the charming interior for classes and community events.

Our Master Gardeners have plans to refit the old kitchen and begin partnering with groups to teach food preparation and cooking, from garden to table. For tips on growing your own food with some fantastic recipes , check out our resident cooking teacher Benoist (Benny) Tellier.