Food, Land, and Liberation

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Register Here!A virtual conversation series on re-building systems for our collective liberation As a fellowship rooted in supporting the power and movements of leaders in the food system, one of our main mandates is to cultivate and uplift the good …

A Recipe for Liberatory Leadership

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by Krysten Aguilar An hour before sunrise on the island of Kauai, two dozen food and farming justice leaders gathered in the inky twilight of March’s new moon, wading silently, waist-deep into an ocean bay tucked alongside a sacred salt …

Cohort 4 Informational Webinar

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Join us for an informational webinar about Castanea Fellowship’s open applications for our fourth cohort (2025-2026). We will share general information about Castanea, our application process and timeline, a sense of the fellowship experience, and have time for Q&A. We …

Applications for Cohort 4 Are Now Open!

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Applications are now open for the next cohort of Castanea Fellows! If you’re looking for an opportunity to deepen your leadership and root your work for food justice in joy and community, this opportunity is for you. Applications are open …

Three people of color smiling at the camera. Background has soft lighting overhead. Text reads: Castanea Fellowship Durham, NC Immersion September 2023

North Carolina Immersion Report

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In September, we came together for our first place-based immersion for Cohort 3 in Durham, North Carolina. Our trip started with a powerful grounding in place and context setting at Stagville Plantation, led by indigenous leaders and descendants from Stagville. …

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2023 Castanea Update

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Cohort Three Opening Retreat – May 2023 2023 is proving to be a year of meaningful connection, learning, and restoration. Our third cohort of Fellows came together for an opening retreat in May, at the Barn at Boyds Mills in …

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North Carolina Partners

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KAMAL BELL, SANKOFA FARMS Sankofa Farms LLC is a multifaceted agricultural entity working to create a sustainable food source in both rural and urban areas located in Durham and Orange County, North Carolina. Kamal led us on a farm tour …

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2023 Opening Retreat Partners

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ALVINA WONG, Asian Pacific Environmental Network Alvina is the Basebuilding Director at Asian Pacific Environmental Network and a facilitator, somatic coach, and generative somatics teacher. Alvina was a retreat co-facilitator. HOLIDAY SIMMONS, MSW Holiday is the founder and Lead Practitioner …

Kauai Immersion Report

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One large, looming question hangs over the heads of those in food movement and justice spaces: how do we build power together? Castanea’s answer: with food, with laughter, and with deep personal connections. After two tumultuous years for fellows and …