Carl Spring Break: Exploring the Agricultural Commons
On March 24 and 25, Sharing Our Roots welcomed a group of Carleton students to our farm and community gardens as a host site for an alternative spring break exploring the agricultural commons. Students interested in regenerative agriculture, community-based farming, and food sovereignty signed up to come out and see these practices in action! Students participated in a myriad of projects that showcase how our community farm and gardens are sustained: from seeding to pruning to fence maintenance to updating signage in our common spaces.
Alissa Jacobsen, Farm Manager, leading students on a farm tour
On the first day, students were given a tour of our land. It is always such a powerful feeling to walk fields that have been nurtured by our dedicated growers and inhabited by native wildlife. It was a wonderful moment to gather and reflect on the reality of the commons in action. We discussed the kind of community guidelines, expectations, and mindset that creates the foundation for our farm program. In a country that promotes competition and extraction, the agricultural commons offers an approach rooted in generosity, reciprocity, and care for the natural world. The opportunities to succeed through cooperation and collaboration are plentiful— we are always so enthusiastic to demonstrate to others that joy and abundance possible by the commons-model.
Seeding
And pruning!
The following day was spent learning about our Community Connectors program and preparing one of our community gardens for the upcoming growing season. Students came out to the SOR Greenvale School Community Garden and dove into infrastructure maintenance to repair our old fencing and signage. We facilitated dialogue surrounding local food production and the benefits of growing culturally-relevant food. As we worked, we reflected on how the belonging and connection rooted in cultural food is even greater when combined with growing and harvesting in community.
Fixing in the fence
Painting the sign
With a similar demographic to our Commons Cohort, our community gardens offer a welcoming space to connect with folks across cultures, languages, and generations. Sharing with students the importance of promoting spaces like this was a wonderful way to put in perspective why we offer the programming that we do.
We are so happy to have had the opportunity to host Carleton students this spring break. This group of hard-workers improved our fields and infrastructure all while learning the value of food sovereignty, collective care, and land justice.
Sharing Our Roots deeply values these opportunities to collaborate and connect to the wider community. If you would like to come out the farm and see our programming in action, contact info@sharing-our-roots.org.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sharing Our Roots relies on community donations to fund our work restoring land and providing immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers with essential support. If you are able and inspired, please join us in our work to heal our lands and prepare emerging farmers by contributing a one-time or recurring donation. Thank you!
