A Path to Food Sovereignty Using Sustainable Cultural, and Scientific Methods

Published November 6, 2022. CommonGoods Network fiscally sponsored Reparations and Earth Restoration who received a mini-grant from the Portland Clean Energy Fund in October 2021.

Reparations and Earth Restoration believes the historical lack of equity to spaces that provide nourishing food has systematically denied Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and other intersecting marginalized groups, from tangible participation in food systems. This absence of access has been detrimental to the health and well-being of these communities.  Our intention with the Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub is to reclaim land access, stewardship and  ownership among Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and other marginalized communities throughout the Portland Metro area. The Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub will boost biodiversity, regenerate the soil and enhance human health and safety for the most marginalized residents of Portland, Oregon.

A Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub is essential for emergencies such as Covid 19 or the massive earthquake that is due in our region. The Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub will provide an abundance of organic food and medicinal plants to support marginalized communities in Portland, Oregon.  During non emergencies the space will offer free indigenous cultural and science based environmental education and volunteer opportunities including growing food and plant medicine to feed and heal communities facing food apartheid. These are some of the ways the Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub addresses climate change and advances racial and social justice.

The Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub is a path to food sovereignty using sustainable cultural and scientific methods. This project meets and exceeds the expectations of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund by creating a bio diverse, equity driven space that honors and provides nourishment for the most vulnerable people in SE Portland. Reparations and Earth Restoration will use the grant funds to implement the Regenerative Urban Mini Farm & Emergency Preparedness Hub. See their final report here.