We had the pleasure of attending the Seeds of Change Workshop, a powerful community event organized by a group of six incredible high school students from across Orange County, CA, who participated in our Walking Softer Education Program. The Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) Youth Committee is an extracurricular group dedicated to environmental and social justice advocacy throughout Orange County. Through campaigns, workshops, and hands-on action, the Youth Committee works to uplift frontline communities and cultivate the next generation of leaders in environmental justice.

Their project was a deep dive into sustainable food systems, with a hands-on approach rooted in tradition, justice, and community. Centered on the Three Sisters method (growing corn, beans, and squash together for mutual support), their garden also included the often-forgotten fourth sister: the sunflower. This symbolic and functional addition made their garden not just a site of learning, but one of healing and indigenous connection at CRECE Urban Farms, which generously provided a dedicated plot of land for them to plant their crops and host their workshop.

CRECE Urban Farms is a vibrant community farming space that centers on food justice, education, and environmental care. Operated by local organizers and growers, CRECE provides land access and support for community members to reconnect with sustainable agriculture and cultural traditions. We are now partnering with CRECE as they participate in the Education program with their Sembrando Cambios Youth Ambassadors program, which empowers youth through hands-on urban farming experiences.

Over the course of the program, the OCEJ Youth students explored how indigenous planting practices are not just agricultural techniques but acts of resilience, sovereignty, and environmental stewardship. Their work culminated in their Seeds of Change Workshop, an educational event they planned and led to bring the community into the conversation.

The workshop covered:

• Environmental justice
• Food sovereignty
• Indigenous sovereignty and planting traditions
• Native art
• Composting
• Interactive seed bomb activity

We were blown away, not just by their thoughtful presentations but by their passion and leadership.

We also had the opportunity to speak with two student leaders from the Orange County Environmental Justice Youth Committee, both of whom are recipients of our scholarship. We’re proud to announce that one is headed to UCLA, and the other to UC Berkeley this fall!