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The Magic of Growing Food and Self-Reliance: An Interview with Local Black Urban Farmer Jamila Hubbard

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The Magic of Growing Food and Self-Reliance: An Interview with Local Black Urban Farmer Jamila Hubbard
Jamila Hubbard is the owner and farmer of Shindig Home and Garden, which sells microgreens at our Tuesday South Berkeley Farmers’ Market. She is our newest Certified Producer and a proud Black woman. In California, 38% of producers are women and 0.36% of California producers identify as Black or African-American. To realize her dream of… Read more »

A Slice of Our Markets Offers A Piece of Our Hearts

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A Slice of Our Markets Offers A Piece of Our Hearts
This year’s Slice of Our Markets was filled with unforgettable moments that will stay with us long after the last slice of pizza was eaten. Each guest enjoyed a tour of our farmers’ market, in which their guide highlighted the vendors whose fresh produce would later top their pizzas. They traced each ingredient’s journey from… Read more »

Highlight on Bianca, our Outgoing Program Assistant

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Highlight on Bianca, our Outgoing Program Assistant
Bianca discovered the Ecology Center during her junior year of high school, while researching internships in the summer. She had always enjoyed spending time outdoors and hiking, so she was interested in environmental organizations. The Ecology Center seemed like a logical fit. Bianca began as a participant in the Youth Environmental Academy (YEA), built her… Read more »

Farmers’ Markets Remain a Lifeline During the Federal Shutdown

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Farmers’ Markets Remain a Lifeline During the Federal Shutdown
As the federal shutdown continues to create chaos and insecurity across the nation, California’s farmers’ markets remain a steady source of healthy food and community connection. Even while many government services grind to a halt, shoppers can still use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh/EBT) benefits at farmers’ markets. Because states receive these benefits in advance,… Read more »

Youth Leaders on the Rise!

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Youth Leaders on the Rise!
This September we bid farewell to our 12 Youth Environmental Academy (YEA) summer scholars as summertime comes to a close. In turn, we welcome YEA interns Mar and Lucia to the roles of program assistants for the next 9 months. Over a 6-week period, our 12 summer scholars completed a curriculum that increased their knowledge… Read more »