Planting Justice @ EcoFarm

"A lot of people don't realize how working with plants can help heal an incarcerated soul."  - Covonne Page

On Thursday, Jan. 24, Planting Justice had the amazing opportunity to present our growing and reentry work at the 2025 EcoFarm Conference in Pacific Grove, CA.

Titled "Growing Plants, Growing People, Growing Community", three formerly incarcerated PJ staff members shared to a packed audience how PJ prioritizes and supports formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people while successfully running an organic nursery, 4-acre propagation orchard, Food Sovereignty Youth Leadership program, and expanding into a pay-as-you-can cafê and 3-acre Aquaponics Farm & Training Center.

Karl from Eden Streets (left) poses with PJ Staff Mark, Sol, & Covonne (L to R)

Aquaponics Farm Manager Covonne Page talked about his experience seeing both himself and his Sobrante Park community transform as PJ grows and empowers more local residents. Grant Writer & Mother Farm Steward Mark Fujiwara discussed growing urban food forests like the farm in El Sobrante as well as how other farm, landscape, and value-added businesses can incorporate reentry and workforce development programs to the benefit of people, the business, and the community.

Finally, Reentry Coordinator Sol Mercado shared her journey from prison to Planting Justice, and her work supporting system impacted PJ staff with wrap-around services, as well as connecting incarcerated folks with the Prison-to-Planting Pathway.

"People approached me asking me to help their loved ones with resources, some shed some tears as they told me that they were so happy that I shared my journey with them." - Sol Mercado

Presenting at EcoFarm created the opportunity to connect with so many people–fellow farmers (including some formerly incarcerated growers), food justice organizers, workforce training organizations, environmental educators, and, don't forget, rare fruit growers! Check out all the amazing presentations and people here on EcoFarm’s IG.

Thank you EcoFarm, for hosting us and for creating the opportunity to grow the healthy community so necessary for these times. 

We love sharing our work, discussing reentry & regenerative agriculture, or leading workshops & panels at your conference, summit, or skillshare. Please reach out to mark@plantingjustice.org for details.