Mission

The San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) is a grassroots organization whose goal is to provide individuals and communities with the means for achieving social, economic and environmental justice through urban gardening and greening projects. SLUG makes this possible through community gardens, horticulture education, landscape construction, open space maintenance, habitat restoration, job training, youth programs, and membership services.

Issues

Urban Habitat, Gardens/Parks, Sustainable Communities, Welfare-to-Work, Youth at Risk, Community Food Security, Ecological Sustainability

Activities

Adult and Youth Education, Job Training, Organizing, Community Outreach, Leadership Development, Soil Testing

Programs/
Projects

SLUG's programs serve the city at large, but focus on assisting inner-city communities of color in implementing neighborhood-generated projects that combine urban environmental beautification with sustainable economic development. SLUG's range of projects and services include organization, construction and maintenance of community gardens and urban landscapes, horticulture education in schools and communities (with a specific focus on organic gardening and composting), food security through outreach, organic produce distribution and farmers' markets, youth programs that foster confidence and independence, job training and support services, case management, neighborhood beautification, natural habitat restoration, and general support for city gardeners with materials and training.

Constitutency

Urban, Multi-ethnic

Geographical Focus

Citywide

Staff

160

Volunteers

100+

Membership Base

2000, citywide, includes community gardeners and general public

Publications

biannual newsletter, SLUG Update; newsletter for composters, school and community gardeners and educators, Trowel

Annuual Budget

over $5 million

Year Founded

1983