Future Founders at City Farmers

Future Founders at City Farmers

Where our grounds become a learning space for entrepreneurs ages 7-17.

This summer, we're planting something different: a space where young minds can cultivate their first business ideas, just like we've always cultivated plants.

Drop your email to learn more when our 2026 event is scheduled.

Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions to see if this is the event for you!

  • A two-hour event where young entrepreneurs (ages 7-17) run their own booths, sell their creations (or pitch their ideas) and experience what it's like when a community shows up for you.

    In a world of screens, there's something powerful about a customer stopping by, asking questions, showing genuine interest. (We'll make sure every booth gets interaction, especially the quieter ones.)

  • Our free, drop-in single-session workshops where kids meet real business owners, Sam Tall of City Farmers and Cris Juarez of Inecui Floral, and learn what it takes to become either an Idea Presenter or a Maker Vendor at our summer fair.

    You must attend a learning session in order to be equipped for Entrepreneurship day.

  • Vendor spots are assigned at our Learning Session Days!

    We’ll have a session in May and June, and those attendees will review the event qualifications, and if they’d like to join us. Yes, our young entrepreneurs must attend a learning session day (it’ll be really fun!) in order to become a vendor.

  • We love showcasing:

    • Handmade crafts and goods that are made of materials conscious to the environment.

    • Service-based businesses that, again, are conscientious about how they choose products and dispose of waste

    • Art, jewelry, candles, baked goods

    • Repurposed or upcycled creations

    • If it’s made with creativity and local hands, we want to hear from you!

    This is not an event for:

    • Parents or guardians businesses - this is purely kid-led

    • Plastic resell or a resale of branded items

    • Hot food or food requiring health permits

  • No fees to participate.

  • Each vendor will receive:

    • A designated outdoor space (you’ll need to bring your own table, canopy, and setup)

    • Access to nearby restrooms and supervised off-site parking at New Creation Church

    We recommend preparing for all kinds of weather—it’s fall in San Diego, but still unpredictable!

  • The event runs from 9a-11a.

    Vendor setup runs 8a - 9a.
    We ask adults must be moved out of our lots by 8:45a (off-site parking is available along Altadena Ave).

    Full timing and logistics will be provided as we get closer to the event.

  • Yes, please do! This is a community-driven event, and we rely on our network to help us reach youth, local shoppers, and neighbors who want to lend their visit. Share our social posts, tell your friends, or even bring someone with you to the day. 💛

  • That’s totally okay! You can join our “idea” track where you bring information (drawings, photos, mock-ups) of your idea. We’ll have friendly visitors excited to learn about your idea!

    You’ll still need to join one Learning Session to become a vendor.

Honoring our Founder

This summer coincides with what would have been our founder Farmer Bill's 70th birthday.

His spirit of industry, of rolling up your sleeves and trying, is what built this nursery. Making that spirit accessible to kids who share his spark feels like the right way to honor him.

A New Growing Season

This summer, we're planting something different: a space where young minds can cultivate their first business ideas, just like we've always cultivated plants.

As second-generation owners of City Farmers Nursery, we were raised here and given something rare: a safe place to learn by doing. As kids, we learned how to talk with customers, work with our hands, understand costs, be responsible for our waste, experience the challenges of following-through, and see what happens when you put care into something. Those lessons shaped who we are.

We believe that every kid who wants to explore being an entrepreneur deserves a supportive community in which to learn.

Why This Matters

Small businesses do big things, every single day. We've always believed in amplifying the small: the micro-business vendors who are community heroes, the family operations that teach more than any classroom can. This program is us lending our grounds to the next generation of makers and doers.

Many kids have ideas. Not all of them have a friendly community and real foot traffic in which to try those ideas out.

If you’re a kid who wants to get into business, this program might be for you.

How It Works

Free Drop-In Learning Sessions (Starting May 2026)
Join a single-session workshop where you’ll meet real business owners, Sam Tall of City Farmers and Cris Juarez of Inecui Floral, and learn what it takes to become either an Idea Presenter or a Maker Vendor at our summer Entrepreneurship Day.

Entrepreneurship Day (August 2026)
A two-hour event where young entrepreneurs run their own booths, sell their creations, pitch their ideas, and experience what it's like when a community shows up for you.

In a world of screens, there's something powerful about a customer stopping by, asking questions, showing genuine interest. We'll make sure every booth gets that, especially the quieter ones.

Not a Kid? Great! We need you too.

We’re looking to really go in big for these kids. We’re looking for patient, kind adults who love entrepreneurship and supporting fledgling businesses. People who will visit booths, ask thoughtful questions, and help young makers feel seen.

This isn't about perfection. It's about trying. Learning. Growing something from seed idea to sale.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to have you visit on the event day.

Here’s to the doers, the makers, those willing to show up.

It takes all of us to probigate a healthy, rich community,
-Team City Farmers