rad social justice and farmer training in the bay area

Applications are now open!

The Bay Area Farmer Training Program provides the education, training and tools for a new generation of farmers in California’s Bay Area to create socially-just, ecologically sustainable and economically viable urban and peri-urban farm businesses. Exceedingly high recidivism rates, increasing immigrant populations, a scarcity of living-wages for vulnerable citizens, and the rapidly aging farmer population all combine to create an urgent need to champion collaborative strategies in community development and seed opportunities to access training, land, and jobs in urban areas. Between MESA’s experience connecting educators, mentors and farmers around the world, and Planting Justice‘s years of innovative and successful re-entry programs, we bring a wealth of experience to the Bay Area Farmer Training Program!

This program supports immigrants, refugees, formerly incarcerated, and under-resourced beginning farmers in having strong voices to lead their communities towards thriving, equitable and resilient food systems. Co-Lead Farm Educators Ana Galvis Martinez and Paul Rogé offer a comprehensive program featuring experiential learning, site visits, participatory presentations, anti-oppression trainings, online curriculum, and ongoing mentorship support for those who aspire to farm as a career path.

 

start training, bay area farmers!

SAVE THE DATE!

FARMER OLYMPICS 2016
SEPTEMBER 17, 2016
PETALUMA, CA

NO PRIOR FARMING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. ALL AGES.
Noon – 7pm
Petaluma Fairgrounds

For farmers, foodies and families alike. Start training now! Contact us here to get involved in this year’s big games.

help bring food justice to thousands more in the bay area

There is something magical that happens when you first put your hands in soil and plant. Not only are you transforming the land, you’re transforming yourself. Unfortunately, there is a lack of land in the Bay Area for people to experience this.

But, your support of urban agriculture is part of a revolution. Together, we’ve planted more than 300 urban gardens throughout the Bay Area in homes, schools, community centers, Stanislaus County Juvenile Commitment Center, and San Quentin State Prison.

That’s why today, we’re launching The Urban Resilience Farm and Training Center in El Sobrante!

With a freshwater spring and an abundance of Life, this farm sits on sacred land that has nurtured people for thousands of years. Our watershed stewardship practices, including one mile of countoured swales and neighborhood-scale rain-water catchment, will honor the past and future of this land, regenerate the creek and freshwater spring, and model drought-resilient solutions.

 The farm will be home to 1,000 fruit and nut trees, a native and edible plant nursery, and an education center with a mission to bring permaculture to the people. It will be the largest food forest farm in the Bay Area, create dozens of living-wage jobs, and provide the freshest and most affordable organic fruit, nuts, berries, vegetables, herbs, and medicine to thousands of Bay Area residents.

But we can’t transform this land without your help!

Your donation to our #5acrefarm will bring us one plant closer to this 5-acre food forest.

 

Bay Area Events – This Week!

Greenhorns in California, some great events happening tonight and this weekend!

Free screening of The Garden
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6 P.M.
Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Come to the screening of this 2009 Academy Award Nominee for best documentary feature, followed by a panel discussion with the Garden Farm leaders, Rufina Juarez and Tezozomoc.