power, policy & the land pt.1

EP.8 -Food Justice in LA:

In this episode of Secure the Soil, Temu Martin sits down with Janet, a food justice organizer, writer, and community advocate from Southeast Los Angeles, for a deep conversation on food justice, urban agriculture, environmental justice, policy, and community power in LA. Janet shares how her journey began through environmental justice work, learning about decolonizing the diet, and understanding how food, land, health, policy, and systemic inequality are all connected. Together, we explore how government systems shape what communities have access to, why urban agriculture must be taken seriously in city and county policy, and how everyday people can organize to hold institutions accountable. This conversation is about more than food. It is about land, health, environmental justice, community healing, and the fight to create systems that actually serve the people most impacted by them. Topics covered: Food justice, urban agriculture, decolonizing diets, environmental justice, LA County food policy, community gardens, land access, public accountability, Southeast Los Angeles, food equity, and building power from the ground up. Subscribe to Secure the Soil for conversations on food systems, land access, agriculture, policy, and the future of community-led change in California.

ep 7.- The Map

The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating California's land equity ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of understanding the ecosystem around land equity. It explores the challenges and nuances of accessing the system, the disconnect between policymakers, land stewards, and the public, and the identification of entry points and mapping of resources. The discussion also highlights the practical steps for utilizing the information, engaging with the ecosystem, and supporting the mission and initiatives. Takeaways * Navigating California's Land Equity Ecosystem * Understanding the Ecosystem Around Land Equity Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to the Land Equity Ecosystem * 06:05 Challenges and Nuances of Accessing the System * 11:07 Identifying Entry Points and Mapping Resources * 23:23 Utilizing the Information and Building Leverage * 38:39 Building a Movement and Supporting the Work

The Allensworth Blueprint

In Part 2 of this conversation, Tekoah takes us deeper into the story of Allensworth — not just as a historic Black town, but as a living blueprint for land ownership, economic development, and community-led innovation in California. We explore how the Allensworth Progressive Association is working to reclaim land, build sustainable economic systems, and create real pathways for multi-generational community ownership. This episode goes beyond preservation — it’s about activation, strategy, and building a future rooted in justice. Tekoah also breaks down the real barriers standing in the way: policy challenges, limited access to capital, and long-standing systems that were never built for equitable land control. But alongside those realities, we highlight the solutions — collaboration, organizing, and community-driven models that are opening new doors for food justice and land equity. If you’re interested in Allensworth history, Black land ownership, California agriculture, food justice, and community development, this episode connects the past to the present and shows why Allensworth still matters today. Part 2 is about resilience, execution, and building something that lasts. 🌱

EP 5. know your past to grow your future

Every food system has an origin story—and in California, that story is written into the land itself. In this episode of Secure the Soil, we trace the roots of California’s agricultural system through Allensworth, one of the state’s first self-sustaining Black towns, founded by Colonel Allen Allensworth. Built on land ownership, self-determination, and economic independence, Allensworth was more than a town — it was a bold vision for what freedom could look like when Black communities had access to land and the power to shape their own future. I’m joined by TK Kadoura, Associate Director of the Allensworth Progressive Association, for a conversation about how that legacy continues to echo through California’s modern food system. Together, we explore what Allensworth can teach us about land access, community development, and the possibility of building a more equitable agricultural future. We also talk about the role of farming as an economic engine, the realities of building with land, and why historic models still matter when we’re imagining what comes next. This episode lays the groundwork for a bigger conversation: not just where California’s food system comes from, but where it can go. Secure the Soil is a platform dedicated to turning land policy, history, and lived experience into actionable insight — bridging communities, farmers, and the systems that shape how we grow, share, and sustain food.

power, policy & the land pt.1

In this episode of Secure the Soil, we sit down with Nelson Hawkins—Chair of the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force and founder of the Ujamaa Farmer Collective—to break down what it really takes to secure land in today’s agricultural system. From building a collective that secured public funding to helping shape statewide policy, Nelson shares how farmers and communities can move from being landless to landowners. We dive into the Task Force recommendations, land access strategies, and the real opportunities emerging in what many are calling a once-in-a-generation land transfer. This conversation bridges the gap between policy and practice—showing how land, power, and wealth are all connected. If you’re a farmer, advocate, or someone looking to access land, funding, or influence in the food system, this episode gives you the blueprint. the convo was so good we had to split it in two ----------------------------------------