Castanea attracts some of the nation’s most impactful agents of change. During their two year fellowship, we feed the leader, their vision, and their voice with immersive community experiences, a national network of peers and funders, a platform to amplify their ideas, and a generous stipend to grow the work. Fellows embody the kaleidoscope of what it means to lead. From fisherfolk organizers and food coop podcasters, to Indigenous elders and executive directors. It’s their roots and their impact that bring fellows to the Castanea table.
Castanea fellows are transforming the way we eat, fish, and farm. They work to refashion the food system—the chain that links those who produce, process, deliver, legislate, and influence what we eat—reshaping the ripples it makes on the health of society and planet.
Melissa Acedera
Founder & Executive Director, Polo's Pantry
Anita Adalja
Founder, Not Our Farm Project
Melanie Allen
Co-Executive Director, Black Farmer Fund
Rafael Aponte
Owner & Operator, Rocky Acres Community Farm & Bodega
Xochitl Bervera
Oyster Farmer, Near Future Farms
Georie Bryant
Managing Member, Symbodied LLC
Mariela Cedeño
Partner, Manzanita Capital Collective
Carmen Cortez
Commissioner, Tierras Milperas
Celina Esekawu
Founder, Ala Soul Earthworks/Dry Bones Heal Bottomland
Annette Hollowell
Manager, Foxfire Ranch
Cris Izaguirre
Farmer and Educator
Larisa Jacobson
Climate Justice & Policy Co-Director, Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust
Whitney Jaye
Director of Strategic and Programmatic Development, Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network
Navina Khanna
Executive Director, HEAL Food Alliance
Roberto Nutlouis
Executive Director, Nihikeya
Rubi Orozco
Director of Storytelling and Development, La Semilla Food Center
Tosha Phonix
Founder & Executive Director, A.C.R.E.S.
Laurell Sims
Executive Director, Evanston Grows
Neil Thapar
Co-Director, Minnow
Cynthia Wilson
Co-founder, Women of Bears Ears
Katherine Un
Organizing & Advocacy Director, National Young Farmers Coalition
Jesús Vázquez
General Coordinator & Executive Director, Organización Boricuá de Agricultura Ecológica de Puerto Rico
Hải Võ
Cultural Organizer, Queer and Trans Việt Cafe Collective
Duane "Chili" Yazzie
Director, ToohBAA