Winter 2026 Newsletter
As we enter this new cycle, we find ourselves holding both gratitude and weariness. This has been a beautiful and, at times, deeply challenging season for Agroecology Commons. Like so many in our communities, we have been navigating a landscape where forward-facing, values-driven agricultural work is increasingly under attack. The ongoing lawsuit against the USDA has demanded significant time, care, and energy from our collective, reminding us just how hard-won justice and equity continue to be.
And yet, alongside these challenges, there has been so much beauty. This year we welcomed many visitors onto the farm, hosted multiple farmer-to-farmer skillshares, and celebrated the graduation of 19 apprentices from our Farmer Mobilization Program. Through this work, we distributed over $228,000 to 26 different farms, directly supporting land stewards who are paving a movement for agroecology. We also gathered for a deeply nourishing Farmer Wellness Day, creating space for rest, healing, and connection for those who give so much of themselves to feed our communities.
As winter settles in, we are beginning to slow down together. Just as the land teaches us, this is a time for rest and restoration. Garlic and cover crops have been sown, the fields are tucked in, bees cozed up for the cold, and the soil is being given space to regenerate. We, too, are listening to this seasonal wisdom, pausing, reflecting, and honoring the cycles that sustain both land and people. With deep gratitude for all who have walked alongside us this year, we enter winter holding hope, rest, and readiness for what will come next.
Watershed Care and Rain Catchment Build Farmer to Farmer Skillshare
Facilitated by Urban Tilth’s Watershed Restoration Field Crew and civil/agricultural engineer Mauricio Rivera, our recent farmer-to-farmer skillshare focused on watershed literacy, relationship-based restoration, and hands-on learning.
Together, we explored:
-Vertical vs. horizontal movement of water
-Spring and aquifer recharge
-Rainwater catchment design + installation
-Practices that enhance infiltration and support native plant communities -How water care strengthens farm resilience & environmental justice
We’re incredibly grateful for the questions, curiosity, wisdom, and generosity everyone brought to the space. We had a lot of fun installing a rainwater catchment system on the farm, doing restoration work down in the creek where the natural spring runs on the land, and eating pupusas made from farm-grown squash! Thank you for being water protectors, land stewards, and community educators.
Medicine from the Hive and Honey Harvest Farmer-to-Farmer Skillshare
In October we hosted a beekeeping Farmer-to-Farmer Skillshare at Agroecology Commons apiary. We had a beautiful day learning from and observing the bees, harvesting honey, exploring the benefits of apitherapy, and creating infused propolis tinctures and oxymels. It was powerful to witness everyone working together in such harmony during the honey harvest, moving in rhythm and collaboration, just like the bees themselves.
Farmer Mobilization Apprenticeship Graduation
We were honored to recently gather and celebrate the graduation of ninteen apprentices from our Farmer Mobilization Apprenticeship Program. This cohort apprenticed across nine incredible farms throughout Northern California, including Soul Flower Farm, Feral Heart Farm, Berkeley Basket Farm, Ujamaa Farm, Gill Tract Farm, Yagi Sisters Farm, Red H Farm, Planting Justice Farm, and the Goat Wild Collective.
Each of these farms opened their land, knowledge, and time to support apprentices in building hands-on farming skills rooted in agroecology and community care. We are deeply grateful to our mentor farmers for their generosity, wisdom, and commitment to growing the next generation of farmers.
A highlight of the graduation celebration were the mini farmer-to-farmer skillshare led by the apprentices themselves. Each graduate taught a short workshop, resulting in a rich and inspiring exchange of knowledge. Topics ranged from how to address excess phosphorus in soil, to making traditional Laotian chili paste, grafting, setting gopher traps, crafting herbal medicines, and so much more. These skillshares reflected the depth, creativity, and lived experience each apprentice brought to the program.
Collective Trip to NIFTI Conference
In November Brooke and Jeneba traveled down to Austin Texas to participat in the Natioenal FIELD School, an annual gathering of farmland educators, incubator farms, and apprenticeship programs hosted by the National FIELD Network, a nationwide network of organizations using land-based experiential learning to train new farmers and deepen agricultural education efforts.
One of the highlights of the gathering was the field trips to local farm sites, including visits to The Refugee Collective, Farmshare Austin, and Austin Community College’s Elgin Incubator Farm. These visits offered us invaluable, place-based insights into how different regions are stewarding land, integrating community, and supporting emerging farmers.
Farmer Wellness Day
On December 10th, we gathered over 80 farmers to celebrate our annual Farmer Wellness Day. Co-organized by Veggilution, Feed Black Futures, Freedom Community Clinic, and the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology farmers joined from all over the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, and Monterey region to rest, connect, and build relationships that support both their well-being and their farm businesses.
This gathering was created as a space to honor farmers’ resilience while offering meaningful support, whether through market connections, technical assistance, or much-needed moments of care. Throughout the afternoon, farmers exchanged knowledge with one another, connected with values-aligned buyers, received healing sessions in massage, acupuncture, reiki, and more. Interpretation services, free childcare, delicious food, and travel stipends were offered.
We were also joined by a wide range of technical assistance providers and community partners, including Soil Cirlce (community-based soil health testing and education), the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program, UCANR, UCCE Cooperative Extension, NRCS, and the USDA. These organizations shared resources on soil health, conservation planning, mental health support, and farm business programs.
This day was a powerful reminder that when farmers are supported as whole people, mind, body, and spirit, our food systems become stronger, more resilient, and more just. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this gathering possible.
Agroecology Commons is proud to be distributing $200,000 to fifteen initiatives across the Bay Area via the 2025 Urban Agriculture Seed Grants funded by the California Department of Agriculture. Together, we are uplifting a wide range of agroecological work from mushroom farms and Indigenous seed-saving initiatives to projects led by intergenerational migrant communities! Combined with our funders, our recipients, and amazing supporters like you, we are strengthening food sovereignty and local food systems. This grant cycle centers a participatory decision-making that encourages current grantees to select a second cohort to be announced in early 2026.
Our work is made possible by generous donations and support from individuals like you. Please consider making a contribution below!
