FAQ
We love questions so much
we save them here!
We may have the question already answered below,
but if we don’t, please ask away! We are happy to help.
Yes. Access to the space, tools, and programming is free and open to everyone. We don’t charge membership or class fees — our work is funded through grants, donations, and in-kind support, not user fees.
We’re building our home in Oakland, California. We’re currently raising funds to sign our lease and begin construction, so we don’t have a physical address yet — email us for updates.
No. Whether you’ve never touched a table saw or you’ve been welding for years, there’s a place for you. Once we’re open, we’ll offer training and safety certification for every tool before you use it on your own.
Volunteer your time or skills, spread the word, or help fund our lease and build-out. Visit our Community page or email us — we’re building this with the community, not for it.
Yes. We’re a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Not yet through the website, but you can reach out directly at info@thefertilesoil.org if you’d like to support us early — every bit helps us sign our lease and start building.
Woodworking, metalwork, ceramics, and 3D printing on the build side; coding and AI in our computer lab; music-making in our sound spaces; and cooking in our community kitchen — all free and open.
Everything we make is documented and shared openly with the world — no paywalls, no gatekeeping. If you’re not in Oakland, everything we know is still yours.
We’re a modern expression of the Black Panther Party’s Ten-Point Program — community care and self-determination. We carry knowledge, not weapons, and we don’t engage in electoral politics.