Farmers strive for sustainability, inclusiveness at California Earthworkers Summit – UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Report on the Inaugural California Earthworkers Summit: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The inaugural California Earthworkers Summit, held on September 11–12 at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, convened a diverse group of stakeholders to address critical challenges in agriculture and food systems. Organized by the Square One Foundation, the event focused on fostering collaboration to build a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. The summit’s agenda and outcomes directly align with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning hunger, climate action, inequality, and partnerships.

Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The summit exemplified SDG 17 by creating a platform for collaboration among disparate sectors. The event’s primary objective was to break down operational silos and unite various “earthworkers” for collective planning and action.

• Diverse Participation: Attendees included farmers, representatives from non-profits, state agencies, community-based organizations, and academic institutions like UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).
• Broad Sponsorship: Support from a wide range of organizations, including the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California FarmLink, and Community Alliance with Family Farmers, highlighted a strong multi-sectoral commitment.
• Collaborative Vision: The organizer, Sheyna Burns, articulated a vision for a global summit by 2030, reinforcing a long-term commitment to collaborative action in line with the SDG timeline.

Advancing Zero Hunger and Responsible Production (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

A central theme of the summit was strengthening the food system to ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Activities were designed to enhance the viability of local and ecological food production.

1. Producer-Buyer Matchmaking: A dedicated session connected food producers with institutional buyers, including UC and UCANR Procurement, to create stable, local supply chains.
2. Promotion of Agroecology: Hosted at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, a pioneer in organic farming, the event championed sustainable methods that enhance food system resilience.
3. Knowledge Sharing: Workshops and panel discussions provided farmers with critical skills in marketing, grant-writing, and policy, supporting sustainable livelihoods and production models.

Promoting Climate Action and Life on Land (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

The summit directly addressed the urgent need for climate-resilient agriculture and the protection of terrestrial ecosystems through discussions on innovative and sustainable farming techniques.

• Focus on Climate Resilience: The event’s core agenda was built around approaches to climate, environment, and ecological sustainability in agriculture.
• Carbon Sequestration: A presentation on the moringa plant highlighted its potential for carbon sequestration through its deep taproot system, offering a tangible climate solution.
• Sustainable Technologies: A presentation on vertical farming and controlled environmental agriculture showcased technological solutions for sustainable urban food production.

Reducing Inequalities and Fostering Inclusive Growth (SDG 10 & SDG 8)

The summit placed significant emphasis on equity and inclusion, advancing a vision of cooperative economics that supports all members of the agricultural community.

1. Land Access and Tenure: A key panel discussion, featuring UC ANR’s BIPOC community development advisor, addressed the needs and opportunities for equitable land access and tenure in California, a critical component of reducing inequality.
2. Community Development: Research findings from the ag land equity task force and other projects were shared to inform strategies for more inclusive agricultural systems.
3. Economic Support: The summit provided direct economic support to participants through cash payments for attending select workshops, promoting decent work and economic opportunity for small-scale producers.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the California Earthworkers Summit highlights several interconnected issues that align with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The summit’s focus on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, equity, and community collaboration directly addresses the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core theme of the summit is strengthening the food system through sustainable and resilient agriculture, agroecology, and organic farming.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The event aims to support farmers and food producers by providing training in marketing and grant-writing, matchmaking with buyers, and offering cash payments for workshop attendance, thereby promoting economic viability for “earthworkers.”
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article emphasizes an “inclusive” future and features discussions on “land access and tenure” and “ag land equity,” with specific mention of a UC Cooperative Extension BIPOC community development advisor, highlighting efforts to address inequalities within the agricultural sector.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The summit promotes sustainable production patterns by focusing on agroecology, organic farming, and connecting local growers to large buyers like the UC system, which supports local and sustainable food supply chains.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The event is explicitly organized to discuss “approaches to climate, environment, agriculture and food system resilience.” It also features presentations on practices like planting moringa to sequester carbon, directly contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The focus on “ecological sustainability,” “agroecology,” and regenerative practices that improve soil health (such as carbon sequestration) relates to the sustainable management of land and ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The summit itself is a prime example of a multi-stakeholder partnership, bringing together “farmers, nonprofits, state agencies, community-based organizations,” and academic institutions (UC Santa Cruz, UC ANR) to collaborate on a sustainable future.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and discussions described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Explanation: The summit’s “matchmaking among food producers and food buyers” and workshops on “marketing, grant-writing” are direct efforts to increase market access and income for farmers, many of whom are small-scale producers.
2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
   • Explanation: The entire event focuses on “sustainable and inclusive farming,” “agroecology,” “organic” methods, and “climate…resilience,” which are central to this target.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Explanation: The participation of a “BIPOC community development advisor” and discussions on the “ag land equity task force” and “land access” specifically address the inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups in agriculture.
4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The summit’s theme of “food system resilience” and the involvement of a “disaster resiliency, planning and policy advisor” directly align with building adaptive capacity to climate challenges.
5. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Explanation: The summit is a partnership model in action. The article states its purpose is for different sectors to “be in community with each other, planning together” and lists a wide range of sponsors and participants from government (CDFA), academia (UC ANR), and civil society (nonprofits like CCOF).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Partnership (SDG 17): The number and diversity of participating organizations. The article lists “farmers, nonprofits, state agencies, community-based organizations,” and specific sponsors like the “California Department of Food and Agriculture” and “UC Agriculture and Natural Resources,” which serves as a direct measure of multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Indicator for Economic Support (SDG 2 & 8): The number of connections made during the “Procurement Match-Making Session.” The article mentions farmers’ interest in “providing crops to Fresh Approach and to UC,” indicating that the success of these connections is a measurable outcome.
• Indicator for Capacity Building (SDG 2 & 8): The number of workshops conducted and the number of participants who attended training on “marketing, grant-writing and policy.” The provision of “cash payments for attending select workshops” is another tangible measure of support.
• Indicator for Climate Action (SDG 13 & 15): The adoption of specific climate-friendly agricultural practices. The promotion of planting moringa for carbon sequestration is an example of an action-based indicator for climate mitigation efforts.
• Indicator for Equity and Inclusion (SDG 10): The establishment and activities of bodies like the “California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force.” The work of this task force provides a tangible measure of efforts to address land access and equity for marginalized communities.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ucanr.edu