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

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

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

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

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