When you visit Soulful Soil Farms in the Inland Empire, you can immediately feel the history, healing, and community that Tina Marie has planted in every garden bed. Based in Southern California, Tina’s work shows how farming can thrive even in urban spaces. For her, urban farming is not only about growing food. It is about reconnecting to her roots, honoring cultural traditions, and making sure fresh food is available in neighborhoods that need it most.
From Compton Roots to Farming in the City
Tina grew up in Compton’s Richland Farms, where it was normal to see children playing in the dirt, caring for chickens, and harvesting fruit and vegetables from backyard gardens. “I grew up making mudpies, surrounded by animals and fresh food,” she says. Those early memories stayed with her as she later went on to spend more than 20 years working in healthcare.
Her work in healthcare gave her a close look at both the good and the bad of the system. It also reminded her of the importance of prevention and wellness, and called her back to farming. What started as planting in her own backyard in Southern California soon grew into a larger vision for her community.
Farming in Small Spaces
Unlike traditional farming that spreads across acres of land, urban farming happens in smaller spaces, and Tina has learned to thrive in those conditions. “You can do so much in just one garden bed,” she explains. She uses companion planting, trellises for vertical growth, and even windowsills to grow food. She has repurposed everything from old tires to sifters for herbs, showing that with creativity, you can grow food almost anywhere.
Her workshops, including those at community colleges in the Inland Empire, also highlight the history of Black and Hispanic farmers, keeping cultural knowledge at the center of her work.
Growing With and For the Community
Soulful Soil Farms is deeply connected to community needs. Tina often uses surveys to learn what crops people want to see and makes sure that what is grown is both seasonal and culturally relevant. Her focus is on food deserts across the Inland Empire and Southern California, where residents have little or no access to organic grocery stores.
“Wherever we build a garden, we make sure it’s feeding the people who need it most,” she says.
Engaging Youth and Families
For Tina, farming is about more than food. It is about teaching the next generation and building community. Events like Soulful Sundays combine yoga, gardening lessons, and shared meals, creating space for families to learn and connect. She also organizes backpack drives and holiday events, making the farm a place where people feel supported throughout the year.
One project that meant a lot to her was at a preschool in Southern California. Tina helped install garden beds and led a mint activity with the children. They planted seeds, touched and smelled the mint, and ended by drinking mint water. “Seeing kids that young so engaged was amazing,” she shares. “It tugged at my heartstrings.”
Challenges and Dreams
Like many urban farmers, Tina’s biggest challenge is access to land. Right now she stewards gardens on borrowed land in the Inland Empire, which has allowed her to connect with more people, but her long-term dream is to open a school dedicated to farming, culture, and wellness.
Her vision is to bring farming into the school system, offer cultural cooking classes, and teach why organic practices matter. With the help of grants, partnerships, and community support, she is working toward making that dream a reality.
The Rewards of Urban Farming
For Tina, the most rewarding part of this work is the love of learning that grows in others. “The more you know, the more you grow,” she says. Her advice for anyone interested in starting their own urban farm is simple: just start.
“The biggest obstacle is usually ourselves. If you can develop bad habits, you can also learn good habits. Start small. Before you know it, you’ll look around and see how much you’ve grown. Get out of your own way.”
Through Soulful Soil Farms in the Inland Empire, Tina Marie is creating more than gardens. She is building resilience, healing, and joy for her community in Southern California.
Learn more about her work at Soulful Soil Farms.