On Sunday, June 20th, 40 people gathered at Hayes Valley Farm in San Francisco for What is a California-vore?–a panel discussion about urban farming. Co-sponsored by Pursue and organized by Congregation Emanu-El Young Adult Community Social Justice Chair Spencer Rosen, we sat in the sun on bales of hay and heard from Jonathan Silverman of Feel the Earth Foundation, Lauren Anderson at Produce to the People, Jay Rosenberg of Hayes Valley Farm, and moderator Rebecca Ets-Hokin, a local culinary professional. Rabbi Sydney Mintz of Emanu-El welcomed us and framed the event in terms of the Jewish value of shomrei adamah, the commandment to guard and steward the land.
The panelists shared their knowledge of various projects in and around San Francisco, many of which are helping people to eat more locally grown foods, including from their own backyard or community gardens. Lauren spoke about her organization’s work with local youth gleaning unused fruit from backyard trees around the city, which is then donated to families at the Free Farm Stand. Both Jonathan and Jay emphasized the importance of building relationships within communities to understand their needs and increase cultural sensitivity, rather than coming in as outsiders with a predetermined agenda. One of the comments that most resonated with me encouraged us to learn from the cycles of sharing found in nature as models for how to live more mindfully and generously ourselves.
Following the panel, more than half of us stuck around for a tour of the farm. Not so long ago the land, now full of springy mulch and seeds eager to sprout, was the concrete on and off ramps for the Central Freeway. For years, it was just an abandoned concrete lot, and now it is on its way to becoming a permaculture success story. Witnessing such a transformation of the space is truly amazing, and especially considering how little time it’s been since reconstruction started, just this past spring. A number of people stayed on after the tour to volunteer and get their hands dirty planting on the farm, too.
With 40 newly minted California-vores, we’re excited to continue offering more food justice programming through Pursue and our community partners in the upcoming months! Stay tuned to learn more about how to grow food justice in our own backyards and beyond.
