LA CULTIVA

Digging Deeper to help farmers and ranchers succeed and thrive. 

About

The LA CULTIVA initiative founded by David Mancera operates under the Tera Farm nonprofit. Its mission is to build resilient organic and regenerative food systems by supporting small farmers and ranchers. 

The focus is on Latino farmers in the Salinas Valley, to help them not just survive but help them grow and expand their farm businesses.  

Programs

La Cultiva provides comprehensive support for farmers through three essential programs:

  1. Land Access:

    • Identifies land leasing and land purchase opportunities, ensuring land security and stability for farmers.

    • Negotiates equitable long-term leases and purchase prices on behalf of farmers.

    • Connects farmers to a network of resources, including:

      • Local professional services such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), Cooperative Extensions, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and lawyers.

      • Grant opportunities, loans, and other financial tools.

    • Develops robust financial models to guide farm businesses.

  2. Capital Access:

    • Identifies diverse capital sources to strengthen and grow small farm businesses.

    • Provides support for:

      • Transitioning to Regenerative Practices: Supporting the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods.

      • Farm Business Transfers: Facilitating the smooth transfer of farm ownership and operations.

      • Expanding Existing Farming Operations: Helping farmers scale their businesses through government cost-share/reimbursement programs and, when appropriate, providing small-scale loans.

      • Starting Value-Add Enterprises: Guiding the development of products or services that increase the value of farm produce.

      • Launching Innovative Farm Projects: Encouraging the implementation of new farming practices, technologies, and crop varieties.

  3. Market Access:

    • Leverages the proven Tera Farm Farm Box service, a direct-to-consumer platform operational since spring 2020.

    • Empowers farmers to sell their fresh produce directly to local neighborhoods through the Tera Farm brand.

    • Manages the online store, technology, marketing, operations, and customer service, ensuring 100% of proceeds are returned to the farmers.

La Cultiva's Impact: Success Stories

The work of La Cultiva lead by David Mancera has resulted in tangible successes for Latino farmers in the Salinas Valley. 

  • Cruz Martinez Farm: This small-scale farmer successfully purchased 30 acres in Madera County with Cultiva's support. Cultiva facilitated access to no-cost capital for purchasing the land and equipment, leading to land stability and increased income for Cruz Martinez.

  • Rancho Corralitos: Through a collaborative partnership, Cultiva played a crucial role in the purchase of 177 acres of organic farmland in Watsonville, CA. This land is designated for future transfer to a group of 5-10 Latino immigrant organic farmers at 80% of the purchase price, creating a pathway for land ownership and economic empowerment.

Cultiva's Partners 

Cultiva's impactful work is made possible through strong partnerships with key organizations, including:

  • The James Irvine Foundation

  • People's Land Fund

  • Dirt Capital Partners

  • Kitchen Table Advisors

  • California FarmLink

  • El Pajaro CDC

  • The Martha and Hunter Grubb Foundation

  • ALBA

Cultiva, with the support of its partners and dedicated team, continues to empower Latino farmers in the Salinas Valley, fostering a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.