Compost Revolution in the Mother Garden
As the number of guests in our retreat program has increased in recent years, so has the volume of food scraps that our kitchen produces. For decades, our chickens, goats, … Read more
Food Systems
Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Food
OAEC is excited to announce a new partnership with Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Food led by local farmer, author and activist Caitlin Hatchmyer. We are thrilled to support this project as … Read more
Nursery Open for Take Out!
YES, we are selling plants – take out style! The Mother Garden Nursery is open for pick up of online pre-orders. Now more than ever, spending time in the … Read more
Listen to Dave Henson on Flipping the Table podcast
In this Roots of Change Flipping the Table podcast episode, OAEC co-founder Dave Henson talks about the problems of economy and governance that prevent our social movements, including the food … Read more
Seed Swap – February 12th @ Sebastopol Grange
Join OAEC, Community Seed Exchange, Daily Acts and the California Rare Fruit Growers at the Mother Garden Biodiversity Program’s FAVORITE event of the year! We love sharing seeds, scions and … Read more
Inspire your holiday feasts with the OAEC Cookbook
Order your copy today! The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook: Fresh-from-the-Garden Recipes for Gatherings Large and Small, by the OAEC Staff Collective and former Kitchen Manager Olivia Rathbone, is … Read more
CCOF cost share program
This year the OAEC nursery and gardens were able to waive 75% of our organic certification fees through the Federal Organic Cost Share program. Why is Cost Share Important? Historically, farm bill … Read more
Wheat Breeding Experiment for Climate Adaptation
What will the climate be like 20 years from now? How can we breed food crops that will thrive and adapt to change? With an increasingly unstable climate … Read more
Seed Swap in Sebastopol, Feb 16, 2017
Join us for our favorite Seed Swap! Meet neighbors and fellow gardeners at the Grange in Sebastopol on Thursday evening, Feb 16th at 7pm to share seeds, scions and stories. … Read more
AB1810 Non-commercial seed sharing protected
A victory for seed sovereignty: AB 1810 passes with help from OAEC OAEC’s Dave Henson and Cooper Freeman along with a group of partner organizations – Sustainable Economies Law Center, … Read more
Action Alert: Support Healthy Soils Initiative
Call your Reps. and tell them to support sustainable agricultural solutions to climate change. Good news! Governor Jerry Brown is staying the course and is again calling for $20 million … Read more
Nov. 2-7: Week of Action to Protect Pollinators
For the last two years, OAEC’s Executive Director Dave Henson has been facilitating a network of U.S. organizations that are developing strategies to protect pollinators such as bees, bats, birds, … Read more
Speak Out to Keep Glyphosate (Roundup) a Prop 65 Chemical
The use of glyphosate has surged dramatically since the 1990s, when genetically engineered (GE) “Roundup Ready” corn and soybean crops were introduced. According to the Pesticide Action Network of North America (PANNA), … Read more
OAEC Daughter Garden for People Living with HIV/AIDS
What if a food bank distributed not just canned and donated goods, but fresh, organic produce grown right onsite? The Food For Thought (FFT) Food Bank in Forestville, one of … Read more
OAEC Cookbook: Summer Recipe & Civil Eats Article
Pictured: Flower Petal Pestos. Edible flowers, such as sunflower and nastutium, volunteer in legions in OAEC’s temperate gardens. These brightly colored sauces in small quantities are most efficiently used as a … Read more
North Bay Woman Magazine Interviews Olivia Rathbone
OAEC Cookbook Co-Author Olivia Rathbone on growing a farm-to-table garden for the home gardener: North Bay Woman (NBW)*: What does a good farm-to-table garden include? Rathbone: A diverse garden with a good mix … Read more
The OAEC Cookbook is Here! Plus: Sample Recipe
We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook has arrived! Published by Chelsea Green and with a foreword by Alice Waters, the Cookbook shares the … Read more
Carbon Farming Benefits Soil, Water and Climate
Ranching and farming practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing atmospheric carbon into soil. Last week, 50 soil scientists, ranchers, farmers and carbon farming advocates from around the United … Read more
Applied On-Farm Permaculture Design: OAEC’s EcoFarm Workshop
Create a whole systems design for your current or future farm, facilitated by Brock Dolman, Kendall Dunnigan and Vanessa Carter, on Wednesday, January 21 at Asilomar. Design your permaculture dream farm! … Read more
Joining Forces with the California Farm to School Network
The California Farm to School Network recently formed a steering committee of 20 stakeholders to help guide the Network as it continues to organize and align farm-to-school efforts across the state. … Read more
