Maxi HernandezI am growing vegetables to supply our community so they will have a piece of our lands on their table — traditional vegetables from our country.
Supporting Over 155 Local Producers to Cultivate Stronger Communities
Supporting Over 155 Local Producers to Cultivate Stronger Communities
Local agriculture can nourish our communities, strengthen our statewide economy and help solve hunger. Rooted + Rising supports producers like Maxi Hernandez who bring our communities together with locally-grown, culturally-relevant harvests.
Farmers and small-scale food producers from BIPOC, immigrant and refugee, and transgender and gender expansive communities face barriers to launching farming businesses, compounded by Oregon’s exclusive, racist history of land use laws.
Systemic inequities make it difficult for producers to acquire suitable land for farming, access financial resources to purchase farming equipment, and enroll in agricultural education and training programs. To address historical injustices and barriers, the Community Producer Support project supports local farmers and food producers from our communities which face the highest and disproportionate rates of hunger.
Since 2021 Rooted + Rising has invested nearly $4.9 million to support more than 155 producers. This funding most often supports pre-purchased, fresh, nutrient-dense, culturally-relevant harvests which community producers then distribute directly to the communities they represent through food banks, pantries, farms (via community supported agriculture models), community-based organizations, grassroots groups and Tribal communities. This expands access to locally-grown, culturally-relevant food while supporting Native and Tribal fishers, fruit/vegetable producers, ranchers, herbalists, dairy farmers, bakers and more.
Other forms of support for producers includes flexible, small-business grants for equipment, land access and farming infrastructure. Across the state, program participants report greater stability and opportunity to expand their businesses, strengthening regional economies and increasing access to nourishing foods in diverse communities. When you donate to Rooted + Rising, you can help to expand this work to support more local producers like Maxi.
Reimagining Food Systems: Maxi Hernandez
Maxi Hernandez’s story is a powerful example of how supporting local producers generates community-wide impact. Her journey as a community producer is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the profound impact of forging connections within a community. Upon arriving in the United States, feeling displaced and distant from her roots, Maxi embarked on a mission to not only build connections but also to cultivate a sense of belonging and cultural richness for herself and others.
Her path to community leadership began with a deep dive into informative workshops and programs, where she honed her understanding of her new community's needs. This journey propelled her into becoming an ambassador for the Oregon Food Bank and a revered figure in community circles.
Now settled on a farm in Boring, Oregon, Maxi is nurturing her dream of establishing an organization that supplies traditional vegetables from her homeland to the local community. Her vision extends beyond mere sustenance; it encompasses preserving cultural heritage, creating job opportunities, and providing educational platforms for youth. Maxi's role as a community producer not only amplifies the power and resilience of the community but also embodies the transformative potential of individual dedication and communal collaboration.
She epitomizes the role of a community producer, harnessing her passion for gardening to cultivate not just vegetables but also a sense of belonging and cultural connection among her fellow community members. Through her efforts with the Sembradoras program, Maxi has become a driving force in empowering families to grow, thrive, and nourish both body and soul.
Donate today to support more local producers like Maxi to nourish, heal and sustain our communities.
