D2_Agraria_Journal_21_OPT

AGRARIA JOURNAL 2021 17 either low or non-paid, creating a barrier for low-wealth “non-privileged” groups, according to a 2015 study, “Situating on-farm apprenticeships within the alternative agrifood movement: Labor and social justice implications” (MacAuley, L. and Niewolny, K. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, April 8, 2016). The study called in part for consideration of strategies that “provide apprentice farmers the equivalent of minimum wage with benefits,” and ways to “supplement apprentices’ educational activities through the land-grant system, programming initiatives, and programs that have had demonstrated success in providing such support.” This project addresses these issues of equity. The first cohort of six participants includes a diverse range of experiences and interests within the field of regenerative growing and within their communities. Participants have expressed interest in growing annual crops, flowers, and native nursery plants, agroforestry, perennial crop production, and more. In addition, participants are interested in addressing food security in their communities, learning more about specific growing systems, building growing capacity at their sites, selling products, business planning and/or meeting other growers. The Fellowship program will be tailored, whenever possible, to meet the interests and goals of this exciting new cohort. Regenerative Farming Fellows Kenisha Robinson and River Johnson with Kat Christen at Agraria. DENNIE EAGLESON DENNIE EAGLESON Fellow River Johnson with Mandy Knaul, who provided rototiller training to Fellows.