Social Justice Advocacy Committee
The following are the guiding principles for the Apprenticeship Program's Social Justice Advocacy Committee (SJAC) and some of the events/activities by and for apprentices here on the CASFS Farm.
Mission Statement
To engage critical issues of social justice and diversity within agriculture by encouraging dialogue, education, and activism. To work towards more inclusive, equitable, and socially just food systems and an Apprenticeship Program that embodies this vision.
Framework
We describe diversity in all forms, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, education, age, geography, culture, ability, and life experiences.
Statement of Purpose
The world is full of social injustices related to unequal distribution of resources, power, and knowledge. This manifests in poverty, violence, ill-health, and oppression. These inequities are associated with differences related (not exclusively) to race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, education, age, geography, culture, ability, and life experiences.
In the context of our food system, we find related injustice within labor, food security, access to healthy food, capital, land, technical assistance, and markets for those seeking to grow food. Farmers struggle nationally and internationally, and the degradation of urban and rural communities continues. Sustainable agriculture demands more than ecological soundness. A truly sustainable food system requires economic viability for growers and workers and social justice for all.
We as a committee acknowledge that the Apprenticeship Program is not beyond the “isms” that exist in the wider society and that there is room for improvement both culturally and structurally. Just as we value diversity within our agro-ecological systems, we value involvement of people of diverse backgrounds within our program. Through this broader participation, we hope to facilitate political and social awareness, gather varied perspectives, pass on positive images of farming to respective communities, and make the program more inclusive for future apprentices.
Committee Goals
- To integrate food justice and social justice issues into both the applied and theoretical components of the Apprenticeship curriculum
- To foster a culture of inclusion by creating a safe, supportive living and learning environment where all apprentices are empowered to participate fully.
- To increase diversity amongst apprentices, staff and guest instructors through outreach and advocacy.
- To continue to educate staff and the apprenticeship community about social justice and diversity issues.
- To encourage apprentices to contribute to practical solutions that build equity, access and justice in the food system
Committee Activities
- Communications Workshop
- Diversity/Anti Oppression Workshop
- Social Justice Panel
- Field Trips and Discussion Forums on Urban Agriculture
- Labor History and Farmworker Rights Class
- On Farm Youth Festivals and collaboration with "Food, What?!" youth empowerment program
