Campus food forest fosters community, offers number of opportunities through regenerative agriculture

The Raíces Cooperative Farm in Hood River, Oregon provides Spanish-speaking community members "a place to grow food," learn from one another about farming practices and develop leadership skills. “Through Raíces, I began to learn better cultivation techniques. [We are shown] how to care for the soil, plants, and seeds, and the program provides economic support" one member explained. During the coronavirus pandemic, the cooperative has also been integral to supplying food for mobile markets.

In a small town south of Seattle an organization called Living Well Kent, made up of immigrants, refugees, and people of color who dominate the region, decided that the best way to promote health in their area would be to start a farmers' market. Now, immigrant farmers grow crops in previously abandoned greenhouses to supply the farmers market and support the local food bank.

Sustainable agriculture and farming is on the rise on a national level, but it's not often so simple to get into the practice, especially for those that are new to the U.S. A farmer training program based in Washington County, Minnesota is trying to change that by enrolling a small group of interested Somali-Americans in a curriculum focused on becoming the next generation of farmers in America.

The Azure Bouré's Traditional Food and Medicine Program provides culturally relevant medicines to Suquamish tribal members and builds community trust while teaching future generations to adapt ancestral knowledge in real-time. As they respond to climate change, the Program has adapted traditional plant harvesting through flexible curriculum adjustments, strategic land partnerships, and transparent education about shifting growing cycles.

In some cities, empty urban lots transformed into multilayered "food forests" that mimic natural ecosystems are providing free, accessible fresh produce to city residents through strategically designed edible plantings that feature native and adapted fruit trees, nut trees, and berry bushes.

To ensure everyone can participate in traditional holidays, community members in Kano practice Watanda, where groups buy a cow directly from a local farmer and divide it among themselves, combating rising meat costs.

Wimberly’s Roots, a community garden and kitchen located in one of Georgia's food deserts, has increased access to healthy food through their monthly cooking lessons and partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated hunger and malnutrition of vulnerable children by crippling livelihoods and orphaning children. Two communities have responded by donating land solely devoted to growing crops to tackle hunger and malnutrition in orphans and vulnerable children. Aside from giving crops directly to families to feed children, the volunteers who work the land also sell part of each harvest to raise money for other nutritious food for the children. Part of the crops are also used to make a nutrition powder that helps ensure children are receiving the nutrients they need.

In the U.S., a movement of Black farmers is trying to reclaim their legacy as agrarians. Only 1.7 percent of farms were run by Black farmers according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture. Black farmers are forming collectives, creating land trusts, creating conferences.

In a rural town in Wisconsin, a pilot project that hinges on micro-agriculture is bringing fresh produce to residents who do not have easy access to healthy, affordable food. The project, which has now partnered with food banks and Feed America and expanded to 27 states, provides a "farm in a box" to community members who are interested in pursuing small-scale local farming.