First Generation Farmers – Engagement in Food Systems

Coming to Terms with the “Pristine” American Farm

Kathryn Teigen De Master Fall 2018, Sierry Raby December 16, 2018December 15, 2018First Generation Farmers 0 Comment

Written by Sierra Raby
Fall 2018

As farms across the US continue industrializing and consolidating, populations of small farmers face drastic declines. Their farming knowledge, which tends to be much more sustainable and ecologically sound, disappears with them. This semester I worked with First Generation Farmers (FGF), an organization based on a small farm in Brentwood, California, which actively helps foster the next generation of farmers by recruiting new farmers and instructing them in organic and agroecological methods.

Finding Our Way to Food Sovereignty

Kathryn Teigen De Master Rachel O'Neal, Spring 2017 May 19, 2017July 19, 2018First Generation Farmers, Urban Tilth 0 Comment

Written by: Rachel O’Neal
Spring 2017

I started this minor at the beginning of my transfer to Cal. I knew I wanted to work making changes in the food system but wasn’t quite sure in what capacity. My passion was ignited in wanting to help people have access to fresh, healthy food, especially those who are marginalized and often face food insecurity and diet related illnesses disproportionately to others. I studied the food system from many angles–public policy, sociology, and agro-ecological farming practices and each class made the same point over and over: our current food system is broken and it does not serve everyone equally, and yet I wanted to know how do we fix it?