ABOUT
Farmer Mai is a humanistic problem solver who works for climate and social justice through farming, actions and advocacy
I believe we can live in a peaceful world where everyone has what they need to thrive and we can all experience the beauty of our diverse planet. To make that world, we have problems to solve: climate change and social inequality.
I farm to undo climate change and strengthen our food sovereignty. I facilitate democracy because we must include everyone in determining how we organize ourselves and resources. I mobilize communities and work in coalitions to create policies that advance racially equitable, ecological farming and to advance land justice such that we have the places to root down agroecological farming.
Each Seed Carries a Story
Seeds remember. Growing heirloom seeds saved from the same soil and climate, even as we face climate change’s extreme droughts and floods, means that the seeds remember how to adapt.
Seeds also carry our stories–where we came from and what nourished our ancestors. The heirloom grains I grow come from many parts of the world by the hands of people immigrating or escaping. These seeds connect them to a place and people as they make a new home here. The diversity of seed reflects the diversity of our society.
Awards
James Beard Leadership Award
Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Grist 50 Catalyst Award
Berkeley Food Institute, Changemaker
US Federation of Worker Cooperatives Torchbearer Award
The Food Change, Changemaker
“Our food and land movements are stronger because we have movement-weavers like Mai in them. It's been a joy to learn from and alongside them, and their ability to coalesce the technical with the heart of what our food and land systems need.”
—SUPARNA KUDESIA, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CoFED
Consulting with Farmer Mai
Farmer Mai is available for the following services:
Integration of grains into farm systems
Strategic planning
Organizational restructuring for accountability and racial and gender equity
Cooperative business development
Executive coaching for leaders of color
Postpartum preparation of foods and earth-connected practices