We recently connected with Bea Alvarez and have shared our conversation below.
Bea, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose in reconnecting with the land, getting my hands in the soil, growing food and shifting my lifestyle from being a web designer and programmer in LA to a farmer, and soil steward, living intentionally in community in north county San Diego.
I moved to San Diego in 2010 and literally changed my life, I grew up in a big city like Buenos Aires and lived in Hollywood for 9 years where the digital world consumed me, I co-owned a web design and development studio called Linealmedia, and drunk the cool aid that technology was going to transform the world for better in the future. Far from it, the disappointment was huge and then I found in the humble activity of learning how to grow food the key to my career and lifestyle of choice.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I work with a local small farm cooperative called Foodshed, we focus on equitable distribution of fresh produce that is grown ethically, mostly by BIPOC, socially disadvantaged, and beginner farmers. My role as a Climate Resilience Specialist allows me to provide support and technical assistance to our regenerative farmers. I love working with farmers, they’re the most incredible human beings, passionate about feeding their communities and doing it in a way that regenerates soil, and provides nutritious food for those who need it the most. I manage incentive programs that support farmers so that they can improve soil health, bringing more biodiversity to their fields and plants, paying special attention to practices that enhance the soil microbiome so that we can have healthier crops and therefore healthier humans.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity, willingness to take a leap of faith, open mind, and being of service. Everything started for me with the clarity that I wanted to do something different in my life, instead of being in front of a computer all day every day, there was something that was soul-drenching about it and I felt I was missing out on life. I knew I wanted to contribute to life from a different space, I got intrigued about permaculture, natural building, the great outdoors, ecology, ecovillages and ultimately farming and soil science. This took me back to remembering, there is an innate connection with the natural world that modern society seems to have forgotten. Look inside and ask yourself how you want to contribute to life?
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
The amazing community in San Diego, from farmers to mentors and colleagues I call friends and family now. From social activists to food system champions, it takes a village to develop programs that impact people’s lives, and San Diego has shown me the power of people coming together with a vision and has empowered me to be a part of collective action to create systemic change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foodshedcoop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamhummingbear
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaalvarez
Image Credits
Images by Bea Alvarez, Foodshed & Solidarity Farm
