Rooted in Community (RIC) is a national grassroots network that empowers young people to take leadership in their own communities.  Each summer they host a conference that brings together youth from around the country who are involved in community gardening, urban agriculture and community food security.  Pie Ranch youth recently traveled across the country to Maine, to participate in the 2009 conference.

The most inspiring aspect of the 2009 RIC Conference, hosted by Maine non-profits Cultivating Community and Lots to Gardens, was the power exuding from youth leaders in speech, pedagogy and action.  From Philadelphia youth teaching how to make a planter box out of reused wood pallets to Oakland youth facilitating a Health Awareness Jeopardy game targeting food justice issues in organic and factory farms, fast food and advertisements; each workshop generated interesting discussion focused toward putting ideas into action in their own communities.

The youth-led workshops were a strong highlight for the Pie Ranch crew, which included David Barrientos from Mission High School, Jeannie Munoz from John O'Connell High School, Naftali Moed from Oceana High School in Pacifica, and Mary Ann Brooks, the Pie Ranch Urban Youth Coordinator.

To quote Naftali Moed:

"There are numerous things I have taken from this year's RIC conference that will empower me to continue on in supporting the sustainable agriculture and food justice movement.  First and foremost, I take with me the knowledge and understanding that youth can make a huge difference and are currently greatly contributing to the movement.  In addition I learned that the push for a better agricultural system is not just a few people at Pie Ranch and other farms of a similar nature but rather thousands of people working for similar goals and improving our society.  Lastly, I take a great amount of inspiration with me to continue my work with Pie Ranch and to start work in my own community to push this great movement forward."

In addition to the incredible lessons learned, we were able to visit farms in Massachusetts, Portland and Lewiston, Maine, bike to local gardens, make books, learn silk screen techniques, and enjoy the hot east coast's muggy weather, complete with mosquitoes and fireflies.  Strong connections to other Bay Area food justice organizations were made as we bring the inspiring message of community, activism and health from RIC to home.