Land Stewardship and Food Wisdom Across Migration Land Stewardship and Food Wisdom Across Migration
The story of agriculture is also a story of migration, culture, and community. Yet too many of the people and traditions that sustain our region’s food system remain overlooked and undervalued. This campaign shines a light on the cultural practices, food traditions, and innovations that power the Central Valley’s success, with an ultimate goal of using greater cross-cultural understanding as a way to bridge communities that live side by side but rarely have the opportunity to truly connect.
By addressing the links between food production and migration, confronting inequities driven by large-scale agribusiness, and expanding pathways for immigrant economic mobility, we are laying the groundwork for shared economic and environmental security.
Our goal with Salt of the Earth is ultimately to transform storytelling into collective strength— in promoting shared community events; in encouraging patronage to local restaurants, farms, and shops; in inspiring art and words from local artists and poets; and, ideally, raising our goal of $75,000 to fuel further advocacy work.
Why This Campaign?
Why Now?
Data doesn’t lie. There are many reasons why we felt it was important to create this campaign, specifically for residents of California’s Central Valley. And there are even more reasons why we felt the time to do it was NOW.
41%
Four in ten immigrants say they personally worry they or a family member could be detained or deported, much more than the 26% who said so in 2023. (NYT)
New York Times study75%
Of California’s farmworkers are undocumented.
LA Cooperative53%
More than half of immigrants, including majorities of naturalized citizens and lawfully present immigrants, are not confident they would receive fair treatment by the U.S. legal system if detained on immigration-related charges
New York Times study500K-800K
Between 1/3 and 1/2 of all farmworkers in America reside in California, (roughly 500,000 – 800,000 farmworkers.)
from LA CooperativeOur goal with Salt of the Earth is ultimately to transform storytelling into collective strength.
Testimonials
Members of the PVI team, and some of our friends and partners, explain what this campaign means to us.
Ways to Get Involved
There are many ways to support the Salt of the Earth Campaign and contribute to building food, land, and climate justice in the Central Valley:
Share Community Stories
Join our storytelling initiative by sharing stories about immigrant, refugee, Indigenous, and people of color knowledge of traditional farming practices, environmental care, and family recipes with deep. Submit here.
Subscribe to the Salt of the Earth Podcast
Listen to our campaign podcast here (or on the streaming platform of your choice), which features powerful, first-person stories from immigrants, refugees, farmworkers, Indigenous communities, and food entrepreneurs.
Attend Events & Exhibitions
Keep posted using the “Events” tab above and make sure to tell all your friends!
Take Action!
Sign petitions, contact your elected officials, and participate in advocacy campaigns that support farmworker rights, immigrant protections, and environmental justice in the Central Valley.
Volunteer
Contribute your time and skills to support campaign efforts, such as helping at events, translating materials, and providing technical or event support for multimedia projects. (see button below to sign up)
Amplify Our Message
Follow us on social media and share our content with your networks.
Use the hashtag #SaltOfTheEarthCV to join the conversation and help change the narratives about immigrants, refugees, and farmworkers
Donate
Contribute funds and share resources with us to support community storytellers, produce high-quality content, and expand our reach. Your supportis an act of solidarity that makes change and sustainability possible. (see button below)
Educate Others
Use our curriculum materials to share these stories in classrooms and with learners. Host screenings and discussions with our content to engage the broader community.
Sign up for PVI’s Salt of the Earth campaign
Fill, send a form and participate
Pan Valley Institute Giving Form
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Please choose your participation at PVI’s Salt of the Earth
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