OAKLAND — A new exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California aims to grow visitors’ knowledge of how, where and why food is grown in the city.

“Take Root: Oakland Grows Food” highlights Oakland urban farmers and explains the challenges they face and motivations for doing what they do. The exhibit, which will be on view in the museum’s Gallery of California Natural Sciences until January 2019, features a variety of interactive displays that teach adults and children alike about the city’s rich urban farming community.

“We want people to come away with a greater awareness of what it takes to grow food,” said Kelly McKinley, the museum’s deputy director.

The displays include video footage of “insect predators in action,” according to a release from the museum, as well as a microscope station where museum-goers can look at native insects up close. There are tables for visitors to “draw their own gardens” with suggestions on local crops and plants, a “photo contribution wall” for Oaklanders to share photos of themselves with their own gardens, and a theater playing video interviews with local food growers.

“There are some hard-hitting topics in the exhibit, but another piece for us is inspiration,” McKinley said. “We want people to feel inspired to maybe grow strawberries in their yard or start their own garden.”

Fruitvale resident Sara Diamond, who attended the exhibit Jan. 5, said her favorite part were the maps of the city’s urban farms and gardens. She said she recognized the farms and gardens in her neighborhood.

“It gives me a lot of pride in my city,” Diamond said.

The exhibit also features maps with information compiled from U.S. Census and scholarly reports showing the city’s food deserts where fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce, and lead levels in soil.

Danville resident Sarah Rampersad was amazed that her three children — ages 6, 4 and 2 — spent an hour and a half playing at a display featuring felt vegetables that visitors can plant in pretend planters.

“I think it’s the concept of growing something is fascinating to them. … I don’t think they’ve seen anything like this,” Rampersad said. “For me, I just can’t believe we’ve been here this long.”

McKinley said the idea for the exhibit took about three years to iron out. Once the idea was complete, curators spent about a year and a half developing the exhibit alongside collaborators from Oakland’s urban farming community.

Oakland urban farm Acta Non Verba’s executive director Kelly Carlisle was one of those collaborators. The outcome, she said, was equitable and well-informed.

“We talked a lot about who should be represented and how they should be represented, trying to make sure visitors know there is a rich history of urban farming in Oakland,” Carlisle said.

“Take Root: Oakland Grows Food”

When: Through January 2019

Where: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St.

Admission: $6.95-$15.95

Information: 510-318-8400, http://museumca.org