About Planting justice
Planting Justice: Growing Food, Jobs, and Community
Planting Justice is a local organic nursery that specializes in rare and heirloom varieties of plants. But it's more than just a nursery - it's a community-driven organization that aims to promote food justice, provide job opportunities, and empower people through education.
Founded in 2009 by Gavin Raders and Haleh Zandi, Planting Justice started as a small project to plant fruit trees in low-income neighborhoods in Oakland, California. Over the years, it has grown into a full-fledged organization with multiple programs that address various social issues.
One of the core programs of Planting Justice is its food justice education program. Through this program, the organization provides workshops and classes on topics such as gardening, cooking healthy meals on a budget, and food preservation. The goal is to empower people with the knowledge and skills they need to grow their own food and make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
Another important program offered by Planting Justice is its holistic re-entry from prison program. This program provides job training opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals who often face significant barriers when trying to find employment after being released from prison. By providing them with job skills such as landscaping or nursery management, Planting Justice helps these individuals rebuild their lives while also contributing positively to their communities.
In addition to these programs, Planting Justice also offers permaculture landscaping services through its team of trained professionals. These services include designing sustainable landscapes that are both beautiful and functional while also promoting biodiversity.
But perhaps one of the most impactful programs offered by Planting Justice is its urban farms initiative. Through this initiative, the organization transforms vacant lots into productive urban farms that provide fresh produce for local communities while also creating jobs for residents.
Overall, Planting Justice is an inspiring example of how an organization can use agriculture as a tool for social change. By promoting food justice through education initiatives while also providing meaningful job opportunities for marginalized communities - all while growing delicious organic produce - this organization truly embodies what it means to be socially responsible in today's world.
If you're looking for rare or heirloom varieties of plants or want to support an organization doing great work in your community - look no further than Planting Justice!
plantingjustice.org