MariLark Farms
MariLark Farms is about community building one seed at a time. Part of the mission at MarLark is to instill the passion and joy of growing food in the urban environment. Each year we give the farm away, growing hundreds of tomato starts for the local community. In so doing, we create more farms in the process while creating a sense of urgency about the importance of plant biodiversity, seed saving and support of one’s community.
Our Mission Statement
MariLark Farms is about building community, about seed saving and about walking the walk and yes, talking the talk in a world that desperately needs it. We all have the responsibility or the ability to respond to actions that require us to respond. We can show the world how to build community by building resilient communities that bring us together to share what is important in our world.
About Charlie
The community is a large part of what makes MariLark so special. Founder Charlie Costello is no stranger to hard work and after 25 years of neglect to the “Farm” he began an odyssey to transform the space with a christening of the MariLark sign that sits on the corner of Wildcat Canyon and Woodmont. No sidewalks and street lights make the nights darker and the starts brighter in the neighborhood once known as the unincorporated community of Berkeley Woods. I guess things really are a bit brighter up here. Come and share the community spirit, save seeds and help save our plant biodiversity at the same time.
Neighborhood History
Our own neighbor Paul Gundland has written an article about the local history and leads tours each year as part of the Berkeley Historical Society. Read the history article now…
History
The community is known for its history and deep roots to the land. Local historian Paul Grundland knows the lay of the land and probably every hidden path up in these parts. He leads tours each year as part of the Berkeley Historical Society. From orchid’s farmed in hot houses to lumber yards dating back to the turn of the century, the community continues to maintain its unique character.
