Transforming The World Through Food With Sona Desai

Citizen Farmers

In this Episode, Farmer D and Sona Desai share their passion and experiences on how to harness the power of food systems to regenerate the health of people and the planet.
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Show Notes:
San Diego Food System Alliance
Coastal Roots Farm
Intervale Center

Additional Resources:

Citizen Farmers Resources

Citizen Farmers Book

Credits:

Co-Produced and Recorded by Daron Joffe and Ben Bernstein
Audio Editing by Sarah Milligan
Music by Ben Bernstein
About Farmer D:
Farmer D is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer, designer, speaker, entrepreneur and educator.
He is the author of the acclaimed book "Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities and Give Back to the Earth" and has spent the past 25 years designing and building community farms and gardens all over the country.
Farmer D has worked on a wide range of public and private farm development projects ranging from residential “agrihood” communities like Serenbe and Rancho Mission Viejo to non-profit projects such as Coastal Roots Farm and Camp Twin Lakes.

About Sona Desai:
Sona has been working to advance sustainable and equitable food systems for more than 20 years. She has a background in organic farming, food marketing & distribution, farm business development, and is recognized nationally as a leader in food hub and community food systems development.
Before joining the San Diego Food System Alliance, Sona was the Director of Food Systems Development at the Leichtag Foundation where she provided thought leadership, research, and food and farm based consulting services to advance the Foundation’s food system strategy. She also served as the Associate Director of Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas.
Sona moved to California in 2016 after working at the Intervale Center in Burlington, Vermont for ten years. At the Intervale Center, Sona led the development and management of the Intervale Food Hub and the organization’s Gleaning & Food Rescue Program. She was also actively engaged in the Vermont Farm to Plate Network, and served on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont.
As the Associate Director of the San Diego Food System Alliance, Sona provides strategic and management support for the organization, strengthens support services for small-scale sustainable food producers and fishermen in the region, supports economic development in the food system, and leads diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. She is also leading the development of San Diego County Food Vision 2030, a bold, 10-year plan and movement to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable, and more just food system in the region.

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