Food & Farming
The Bioneers Food & Farming program is devoted to seeding sustainable, local food systems.
“Don’t waste even a single grain of rice”
Dogen, Japanese Zen Master
When people participate in the democracy and enterprise of their local food systems, positive change happens:
- greater food literacy
- increased access
- healthier food
- ecological growing practices
- and more equitable and respectful working conditions
Not to mention certified delicious local meals with community and celebration…
Bringing Voices to the Conference
The results of this program brought about two firsts: In 2008, a farm worker gave a plenary presentation at the Bioneers conference and in Spanish (translated).
At that conference, Lucas Benitez told his brave story of protracted struggle for fair wages and better working conditions.
“The experiences opened up a new space of hope inside me. To be among literally throngs of people with the same voice for change has been an inspiration that will carry me through many obstacles in my own work in the future.”
Dr. Ann Lopez, author of Farmworker’s Journey
Connecting Youth With Food Justice Issues
The Just Us for Food Justice Bioneers youth food and farming program brought together youth community activists from projects all over the country and Costa Rica.
Just Us for Food Justice Partners:
Alameda Point
Collaborative Food Project, Earth University (Costa Rica), Generation
Chef Farm Fresh Choice, Manual Arts High School (Los Angeles), Marin
Farmers Market Association, Marin Youth Center and chef/author Bryant
Terry
Other Food and Farming Programs
- Seeding the Future: Seed Saving and Biodiversity Gardening with Claire Cummings, George Stevens and Arty Mangan
- Food and the Triple Global Crisis: Climate Change, Peak Oil, Resource Depletion with Andrew Kimbrell, Richard Heinberg and Debi Barker of International Forum on Globalization
- Knowing Our Food Sheds with Gary Nabhan, Jo Ann Baumgartner and Michael Dimock
- Latin American Agroecology with Eric Holtz-Gimenez, Pánfilo Tabora and Ali Sharif
“The two of us who came from Costa Rica are making commentaries on the Conference for the benefit of the students and the faculty in some of our classes.”
Dr. Pánfilo Tabora, Professor, Earth University, a sustainable agricultural university in Costa Rica
Quantifying Our Success: Results of the Program
- 14 local farmers and food purveyors and 100s of Conference attendees interacted at the Farmers’ Reception co-sponsored by Marin Farmers Market Association.
- 90% local food at the Conference resulted in $14,000 of sales for local farmers.
- 300 people at the sold-out Food and Farming dinner honored Wild Farm Alliance for its work promoting ecological agriculture that protects wild nature.
- 300 people at the Seed Exchange traded heirloom, open-pollinated seeds to preserve biodiversity.
