Kitchen Table Advisors

Landholders and land stewards in Sonoma County - join us and the Sonoma County RCD on Wednesday, June 17th for a mixer to explore land lease opportunities. This event is a continuation of our Finding Farmland, Finding Farmers work, which aimed to answer the question of how Marin County’s agricultural land base could be utilized to support increased land access for producers, especially BIPOC and under-resourced farmers.

The evening will begin with a presentation from David Vigil, KTA's Regional Program Coordinator, on how to evaluate land for leasing, followed by a panel featuring local producers and landowners who have built successful leasing partnerships together. After the panel, attendees will have time to network, ask questions, and begin building connections for future collaboration.

Learn more through the Eventbrite link. Please reach out with any questions — we hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/setting-the-table-a-mixer-for-exploring-land-leases-tickets-1989705732407

We’re delighted to share that Wendy Sosa, formerly our Program Operations Manager, has been promoted to KTA’s Director of Impact & Learning!

In this new role, Wendy will focus on advancing KTA’s vision across our Business Advising and Ecosystem Building programs, helping us refine and grow our organization strategically. Thank you for all you do, Wendy, and for stepping into this new leadership role.

Learn more about Wendy and her journey to KTA here:
https://www.kitchentableadvisors.org/wendy

Mabiel Ambriz of Ambriz Produce is proud that his knowledge of agriculture comes from his father. In Nueva Italia de Ruiz, Michoacán, México, his family primarily grew corn and beans, often relying on rainwater to grow crops.

Now, as a business owner, he cultivates a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, onions, carrots, cucumbers, nopales, and more. His wife and kids help with the farm's day-to-day operations. He has even recently started posting content on TikTok and Facebook, highlighting why he grows organically and educating his audience about the differences between conventional and organic practices.
https://www.tiktok.com/.ambriz/video/7599076130909457677

After so many years of working at big companies, Mabiel says he’s grateful for the independence of running his own farm. Even though the days are often long, Mabiel says he can’t imagine doing anything else.

Learn more about Mabiel and his business in his client profile on our website!
https://www.kitchentableadvisors.org/ambriz-produce

Ambriz Produce — Kitchen Table Advisors Meet the Farmer   Ambriz Produce Mabiel Ambriz Facebook What they sell‍ ‍Broccoli, cabbage, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, carrots, fava beans, cucumbers, cauliflower, chiles, and nopales Where they sell‍ ‍Direct to clients through phone or in-person orders; farmers marketsEstablished In‍ .....

Ecosystem Building Program Manager James Nakahara was recently featured in a Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) article spotlighting the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force, which James serves as a part of. The feature highlights James’s work advancing equitable land access, his history of advocacy within the agriculture space, and what he hopes for the next generation of California farmers through the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force.

In the article, James reflects: “It feels powerful to have been a part of something that is ameliorating the disparities on land access that have existed over a hundred years in California. That harm is reflective of the systems that have gotten us where we are today.”

Read more in the article here (note: the site requires a free sign up to access the article)
https://research.ceb.com/posts/state-task-force-releases-recommendations-to-make-land-access-more-equitable-for-californias-farmers

Even after years of working with the land, Alvaro Alvarez still feels excited when his produce is ready to pick. Moments like picking his first strawberries of the season and sharing them with his wife and two daughters encapsulate why he does this work: to nourish his loved ones and community with healthy produce.

Alvaro started his own business, Joya Organic, in 2022, primarily growing snow peas and strawberries. As a farmer, he prioritizes growing produce while respecting and nourishing the soil. For Alvaro, there is truly no better feeling than knowing that his daughters and the people who buy his produce are eating healthy food.

Read more about Alvaro's story and his work with KTA in his client profile!

Joya Organic Farm — Kitchen Table Advisors Meet the Farmer   Joya Organic Farm Alvaro Alvarez What they sell‍ ‍Strawberries, peasWhere they sell‍ ‍WholesaleEstablished In‍ ‍2022Location‍ ‍Central CoastAcreage‍ ‍3Support our ongoing advising work with Joya Organic Farm by giving to KTA.   Even after years of working with...

When Enrique Fernandez moved to the United States from Hidalgo in 1999, he was eager to learn about the agricultural industry and how the soil differed from the land back home. Since he was a teenager, Enrique learned how to grow his own food, the beginnings of a life-long passion for farming.

While pursuing agricultural jobs at large companies, Enrique noticed how they used pesticides and other chemicals in production. He quickly realized the negative effects of these practices on both farmworkers and consumers, an experience that sparked his interest in growing organic produce.

Now, Enrique runs Fernandez Farm 100% Organic with his wife, Maria. Joining KTA as a client at the beginning of this year, Enrique has already begun working with Farm Business Advisor Erika Vargas on securing capital for his farm and searching for new acreage to farm on.

Learn more about Enrique, his business, and work with KTA in his client profile!

https://www.kitchentableadvisors.org/fernandez-farm-100-organic

Thomas Nelson, KTA's Director of Ecosystem Building, has recently joined California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN)'s Stewardship Council! As a member, Thomas will help the council advise the organization on its long-term policy-advocacy goals.

When asked what keeps Thomas motivated in the agricultural and policy realm, he responds: "What keeps me grounded is the people. Farmers are remarkable. They hold tremendous knowledge and play a vital role in feeding our communities and stewarding the environment. Supporting farmers, farmworkers, and the broader ecosystem that allows farms to thrive is deeply motivating."

To learn more about Thomas and CalCAN, check out his council profile here!

CalCAN Stewardship Council Profile: Thomas Nelson | CalCAN - California Climate & Agriculture Network This profile is part of an ongoing series that introduces members of CalCAN’s newly formed Stewardship Council. The Stewardship Council serves...

"Remain grounded in your purpose. Find others whose purpose aligns with yours and tend to that beloved community, because we are not meant to do this work alone. Hold space to grieve together, because what we’re experiencing individually & collectively is heartbreaking. Don’t forget to relish in the joy, because that is still present too. Nurture your creativity and help envision a different future ahead for us."

In this latest article from Sister Seasons, KTA's Co-Executive Director of Organizational Resourcing Pei Yee gives advice on how to move forward in difficult times, her own connection to nature, and the hope she finds in working with KTA's clients. This piece is part of Sister Seasons' "Leading With Nature" series spotlighting women leaders who are taking action for nature and turning to it for support in hopes it brings you joy and inspiration on your own path.

Our team is honored to share in our work with Pei Yee as she helps steward KTA forward. Read the article here!

Leading With Nature: Pei-Yee Woo — Sister Seasons | Nature-Informed Support for Changemakers Leading With Nature is a special interview series spotlighting women leaders who are taking action for nature and turning to it for support. In this installment, I interview Pei-Yee Woo, Co-Executive Director of Kitchen Table Advisors. Based in the Bay Area, she's spent the past two decades working

KTA client Herlinda Huipe of Tierra H&R Organic can trace her love of the land to her childhood in Santa Cruz Tanaco, Michoacán, Mexico. She can still remember the days of helping her dad grow and harvest corn, beans, pumpkins, peas, and fava beans for the family to eat. She knew, at a young age, what it meant to grow food that would nurture other people.

Now, Herlinda owns and operates Tierra H&R Organic alongside her husband, Carmelo. Herlinda says that even though the work can be tiring, farming is what she loves to do. It clears her mind and she feels proud to see the fruits of her labor—without anyone else pressuring her to work at a specific pace.

Get to know Herlinda, learn about her journey into farm business ownership, and her work with KTA in our latest client profile on our website!

Tierra H&R Organic — Kitchen Table Advisors Meet the Farmer   Tierra H&R Organic Herlinda Huipe What they sell‍ ‍Mixed vegetables Where they sell‍ ‍Wholesale Established In‍ ‍2021Location‍ ‍Central CoastAcreage‍ ‍5Support our ongoing advising work with Tierra H&R Organic by giving to KTA.   Herlinda Huipe can trace her...

Our next client resource spotlight: California FarmLink's Resilerator & El Resilerador Courses!

The Resilerator (English) and El Resilerador (Spanish) are business accelerator courses offered by California FarmLink. Both programs help farmers, ranchers, and fishers strengthen business resilience, achieve sustainable profits, and adopt responsible practices through long-term planning.

Courses are taught by experienced instructors and co-led by farmers and ranchers, providing valuable peer-to-peer learning opportunities. While both programs share similar goals, they differ slightly in structure, timing, and format. Ultimately, both courses equip participants with practical tools, supportive networks, and the confidence to grow their operations responsibly and sustainably.

Head to our blog to learn more about each course, including how to register and requirements to sign up.
https://www.kitchentableadvisors.org/blog-roll/resource-roundup