Nelson Hawkins
- Title
- Location
- 2022 California Political Leadership Fellow
I am a husband, father, skateboarder, traveler, agroecologist, and farmer equity advocate, holding over 13 years of farming experience. Growing up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California has given me a deep appreciation and admiration for Mother Earth. It also served as a refuge from the racism and injustices I’ve experienced and witnessed in this culturally-isolated area. In 2018, I founded We Grow Urban Farm in the Sacramento, CA bioregion (unceded land of the Patwin/Nisenan tribes), seeking to transform vacant lots in “food deserts” into a food oasis. We are a mission-driven urban farm, growing high-quality seasonal produce for local communities using regenerative agricultural methods, engaging with residents, and providing employment opportunities for youth. We envision playing an important role in a local regenerative food system that heals the land as we heal ourselves and our relationship with the land.