Anchored in Sobrante Park, a Deep East Oakland neighborhood impacted by redlining, food apartheid, and gentrification, Planting Justice is using urban aquaponic farming to address food sovereignty, economic ownership, and systemic change. Active since 2009, the newest extension of the farm and training program will use 3 urban acres to create a scalable aquaponic system, resistant to climate emergencies in an area that would otherwise be too toxic to grow food. The Aquaponics Farm & Training Center will provide dozens of green, living-wage jobs with benefits for people directly impacted by mass incarceration and other social inequities, and will create a network of small-scale urban aquaponic farms throughout East Oakland.
To demonstrate their commitment to sovereignty, solidarity, and systemic change, in 2017 Planting Justice donated the title to its 2-acre nursery to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, marking the first landback rematriation for Ohlone people since the Bay Area was colonized over 250 years ago.
Beyond this, Planting Justice boasts a range of mutual aid efforts and partnerships within the area such as community food distribution, free neighborhood fruit tree plantings, a dedicated Reentry Coordinator to provide wrap-around support services, and a wide-reaching Food Sovereignty Youth Leadership Program throughout local Oakland schools. Individuals, businesses, and community organizations are welcome to volunteer at our East Oakland Nursery or 4-acre Mother Farm in El Sobrante, CA.
