Sustainable Urban Farming for
Resilience and Food Security
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In this issue:
- Ripples from the "Agroecological City" conference for East Bay & beyond
- Analysis on pandemic funding, to-date, for small & BIPOC farmers
- Learning & action resources for urban farmers & gardeners
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Funding opportunities & job announcements
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Bay community. Let us know if you'd like us to feature your work in an upcoming issue!
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Ripples from March's “Agroecological City” virtual conference |
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By: Marit Doshi & Nathalie Muñoz
One month after our two-week virtual conference “The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, and the Future of Food,” we, the conference organizers, are still feeling the ripples. Just a couple of weeks ago, we sent out heirloom, non-GMO bean varietals to all registrants who attended one or more of our sessions (check out the plant breeding program at UC Davis that donated the beans!). We’re still getting notes of gratitude in our emails and on social media from those. Many more folks are now receiving this very newsletter as they provided their evaluations of the sessions and dropped their contact info to stay connected. Many of you in the Bay Area raised your (virtual) hand to say, “I want to learn more and be part of the Growing Roots Collaborative,” a burgeoning community-driven network of farmers, gardeners, researchers, activists, community leaders, service providers, and more bent on changing our East Bay metropolises to agroecological cities. (More on that in upcoming newsletters!)
In the first two weeks of March, over 300 people came together to learn and discuss the many ideas and efforts that people are making across the US and in other countries to fashion Agroecological Cities, urban areas that reconnect land and healthy food for all city dwellers. We had registrants from over 7 different countries, 32 US states, and 51 California cities. Our invited speakers mostly hailed from California with a shout-out to New York and Georgia (two other hotspots for BIPOC*-led food justice organizing), and they spanned the gamut of experience, expertise, race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Sessions varied from more formal panels to intimate workshops and covered topics that ranged from policy to ancestry, from the importance of Indigenous life- and foodways to the roles of educational institutions. We encourage folks to visit Berkeley Food Institute’s YouTube page for the session recordings we have available.
We are thrilled to promote 2 additional resources that spun out of this conference: Urban Agroecology policy brief and Bay Area Youth Resource Guide: Land, Environment and Food. Find out more below!
*BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
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Pandemic funding for small & BIPOC farmers |
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Accessibility of COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Small-Scale and BIPOC Farmers |
By: Sadie Fleig, undergraduate research intern
As the pandemic continues, farmers have struggled to maintain connections to a severely disrupted supply chain. With many restaurants and businesses having shut down or operating in limited capacity, farmers have incurred major losses. To help, the United States Department of Agriculture implemented two rounds of a Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), as well as an additional food box program and emergency loan assistance. However, small-scale and BIPOC farmers often face major hurdles in applying for federal programs such as these. My research focused on assessing farmer relief programs for their level of accessibility to socially disadvantaged farmers.
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Local learning & action resources |
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Just-published BFI Urban Agroecology Policy Brief!
Coinciding with the Agroecological City conference follow-on resources, Berkeley Food Institute just published the policy brief, “Urban Agroecology: An essential resource for times of crisis and beyond,” lead-authored by Dr. Alana Siegner. This brief builds upon the years of research and extension work conducted through Growing Roots projects, most recently the Sustainable Urban Farming for Resilience and Food Security project (2018-2021). Through that community-driven work, the research points to 6 critical public policies, programs, and support systems in the East Bay:
- Improve access to and tenure security of municipal land, both public and private.
- Ensure regional coordination that links public and private land access with integrated programming.
- Develop revenue-generating opportunities for urban farms through public investment or public procurement commitments.
- Invest in public distribution infrastructure.
- Integrate urban agriculture into affordable housing policy.
- Explore creative models of land tenure that increase food and land sovereignty for communities of color.
Read and download the policy brief here. There are specific examples that provide real-life examples of how counties and cities can better support urban agroecology as well as nuanced detail about those above 6 policy priorities.
If you send this brief on to your networks or local elected officials or you use it in your work and advocacy, please let us know! Drop an email to Growing Roots Projects Manager Marit Doshi at maritdoshi@berkeley.edu
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4th edition of UC ANR’s Bay Area Urban Farming Resource Guide
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources division (UC ANR) has put out their 4th edition of a treasure trove of compiled resources meant to support and connect those involved in various angles of urban agriculture in the Bay Area. Think of this as a directory (with explanatory blurbs) for educational and research institutions, government groups and agencies, park districts, markets, municipal composting, policy and advocacy groups, non-profits and food groups, and urban farms themselves. It also details out ongoing training opportunities and useful tools. Start using it now!
Within the dedicated UC ANR Urban Ag team, we want to highlight Rob Bennaton, Growing Roots teammate and UC Cooperative Extension’s Bay Area Urban Ag Advisor, who was central in getting this guide revamped and out there. We also want to give gratitude to Diane Ward, a super-volunteer who managed this 4th edition text, layout and desktop publishing. This guide was enabled significantly by Abby Runte, amazing Community Farm and Garden Coordinator, supported by AmeriCorps, for the Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative with special thanks to Steve Schwartz, the Collaborative’s awesome and gracious Executive Director. Many hands, heads, and hearts went into this urban farming resource for our region.
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Just-out! Youth Resource Guide: Land, Environment and Food
Earlier this month, several of those involved in organizing the Agroecological City conference received an email that blew us away. Latinx Studies major Julie Gonzalez had been so inspired by the conference that she revamped a youth resource guide, originally created before pandemic for Bay Area high school students, and put it out into the community. Download the guide here and send it onwards! And in Julie’s words:
"My name is Julie Gonzalez, and I created this youth resource guide with the intention to guide young people in reconnecting with land, food, culture and community. I have pulled together over 25 Bay Area organizations that center environmental justice and food sovereignty work through youth engagement. Please feel free to look through this guide and reach out to any programs/organizations that spark your interests and share far and wide with Bay Area youth. This guide offers contact information for youth programming, key terms for understanding our food system and historical/local context for understanding our environment and food. I hope this guide can assist youth in gaining the skills needed to imagine and create the world they want to live in. If you would like to suggest any edits, provide me with any constructive feedback I encourage you to email me at chapinajulie@gmail.com.”
Art credit: J. Gonzalez
Session recordings from the California Small Farms 2021 conference
Just a week before our “Agroecological City” conference, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) transmuted their annual Small Farms conference to fully virtual and in so doing, produced recordings of a varied and vibrant conference. Take a look at their 2021 Small Farms conference YouTube playlist and dive in!
CDFA Drought Resources for CA farmers
All 58 counties in California have been declared as federally-recognized primary natural disaster areas given our drought conditions. The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s drought resources web page serves as a valuable tool for farmers and ranchers seeking information about drought assistance programs. The page features links to the USDA’s Farm Services Agency and contact information for other USDA offices that could be of assistance to farmers and ranchers harmed by the drought.
To share more relevant East Bay urban food community events, trainings, workshops, and other
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What’s AB 125 and why does it matter for Bay Area food and farming?
This year, Assembly Member Robert Rivas has formally introduced AB 125 “The Equitable Economic Recovery, Healthy Food Access, Climate Resilient Farms & Worker Protection Bond Act.” According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the coalition members supporting Rivas’ efforts, this bond will “ensure that significant resources—at least 40 percent—are allocated to projects in low-income communities and for programs that support farmers and ranchers who have been historically left out of publicly funded agriculture programs.” (read more on NRDC’s write-up). This could be quite big news, if passed, for many, many Bay Area agriculturalists, particularly those in our urban centers. Follow the bond’s progress and even join in on the campaign!
The intersection between food and Asian/Americans’ safety concerns
The SF Chronicle reported on the recent attack on a Chinatown food vendor at the San Francisco Ferry Building in a story that connects the lived dots of food, restaurants, and the rising tide of anti-Asian hate crimes, here in the Bay Area. UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center highlights the science and evidence behind a variety of deep behavioral changes you can be part of to “reduce hatred and division,” and we encourage you register for free bystander intervention training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment (space left in sessions through May 24th), donate to the AAPI Community Fund, and learn more about actions you can take to Stop AAPI Hate.
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NOTE: If any of the below opportunities are new to you or you are seeking guidance for applying to state, federal, and private foundation opportunities, reach out to us at growingroots@berkeley.edu. We may be able to support you.
Opportunities due in June or earlier
CDFA California Underserved and Small Farm Producer Grant Program (May 10)
The California Department of Fish and Agriculture is accepting applications for their California Underserved and Small Farm Producer Grant Program now through May 10. There are two focal areas to which applicants can apply: Part 1: Technical Assistance for Underserved Farmers and Ranchers and Part 2: Direct Grant Assistance for Underserved Farmers and Ranchers. Part 1 is directly applicable to any individual or collective farming and ranching operation whereas Part 2 is more applicable for entities that serve as "regional administrators" whose mission and function can disburse local grant funding. Approximately $1.35 million will be made available for Part 1 and $550,000 will be made available for Part 2.
Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program (TBA)
On April 20th, CalRecycle announced a newly awarded cycle of 72 applicants for the Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program. The Fiscal Year 2021-22 application period (Notice of Funds Available – cycles 73, 74, 75) should officially open Summer 2021. A Listserv message will announce the opening, and at that point the Grants Management System (GMS) will be set up to receive next-cycle applications. Click here to learn more and be added to the Listserv.
The FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program (next deadline: June 30)
The FM Global Insurance Company's Fire Prevention Grant Program provides seed funding to help support a wide array of fire prevention, preparedness, and control efforts. For example, one major category of funding is Fire Prevention Education/Training, which includes community outreach initiatives, workshops, and publications. Matching funds are not required. Past awards average from $1,000- $3,000, and go up to $10,000. Yearly deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. Click here for the program page.
Ongoing opportunities
Coastal Conservancy Prop 68 SF Bay Area Climate Adaptation Grant
The Coastal Conservancy's Proposition 68 San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Climate Adaptation Funds provides funding for projects which improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention. Funds are available for all 9 counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. Awards may be up to $1 million. Pre-applications are now accepted on a rolling basis.
Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy has opened their Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program. The program focuses on increasing public access to recreational opportunities in order to promote a robust Delta economy. Other program priorities include recreation and tourism, historic and cultural preservation, and environmental education. They will be accepting concept proposals on a rolling basis.
WCB Riparian Habitat Conservation Program
The California Wildlife Conservation Board's (WCB) Riparian Habitat Conservation Program aims to protect and restore California's ecosystems along rivers and streams (riparian areas). Many East Bay farms and farming orgs do this type of work already! Prospective applicants should first discuss their project with the WCB program manager. A brief concept paper may be requested for an initial evaluation. If appropriate, WCB staff will request the applicant to complete a full application.
Small Community Drinking Water Funding Program
The State Water Resources Control Board's Small Community Drinking Water Funding is available to assist small disadvantaged communities implement eligible drinking water capital improvement projects. The Program provides low-interest loans and grants for the planning/design and construction of drinking water infrastructure projects that are needed to achieve or maintain compliance with federal and state drinking water statutes and regulations. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. |
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Conservation Program Manager, Marin County Resource Conservation District
Full-time, paid (Marin County). See here
Due April 30.
Research and Advocacy Manager, Berkeley Food Network
Full-time, paid (Berkeley). See here. Due May 2
Multiple positions, UC ANR Small Farm Extension Program
Full-time, paid (various parts of Bay Area and beyond). See here. Open until filled
Farm2Market Assistant Manager, Alameda Point Collaborative
Part-time, paid (Alameda). See here. Open until filled
Greenway Garden Coordinator & North Richmond Farm Coordinator, Urban Tilth
Part-time, paid (Richmond). See here
Open until filled
Multiple positions, Urban Adamah
Full-time, seasonal & permanent, paid (Berkeley). See here
Open until filled
Multiple counselor & instructor positions, Acta Non Verba
Part-time/full-time depending, seasonal (Oakland). See here. Open until filled
Multiple positions, SF New Deal
Full-time, paid (San Francisco). See here. Open until filled.
Policy Advocate & Farm to Family Produce Administrator, CA Association of Food Banks
Full-time, paid (Oakland). See here. Open until filled.
Multiple positions including Executive Director, Alameda County Food Bank
Full-time, paid (Oakland). See here. Open until filled
Multiple positions, Farmscape
Full-time, paid (various parts of the Bay Area). See here. Open until filled
Urban Agriculture Supervisor & Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation
Full-time, paid (San Francisco). See here. Open until filled
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