Cultiva Los Angeles - Home
Our Mission
CultivaLA is a registered non-profit with Mission to transform healthy food access and wellness through people, social enterprise and environmental justice.
Grow local
With 32 active ‘cultiva-dores’ we grow and supply fresh organic herbs (e.g. mint, basil, papalo, cilantro, etc.) and vegetables to individuals and families, as well as to the community through our innovative Free Mercado Al Aire Libre (FREE Farmer’s Market) in the Westlake/MacArthur Park Neighborhood in Greater Los Angeles.
Empowerment
Unique partnership with social service providers and local leadership, we have developed a 12-week urban agriculture model with strong emphasis in community workforce development, mentorship, and entrepreneurship for youth and adults.
Social Enterprise
We utilize the act of growing local and organic food in a holistic and ecological manner to empower our communities. Our network is designed to facilitate access to market via our Farmer’s Market.
Our Method
CultivaLA is transforming urban agriculture movement in Los Angeles through people, social enterprise and environmental justice.
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Intergenerational Approach
young and old learn to collaborate and teach each other urban agriculture.
- Agricultural Literacy
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Workforce Development
Learn about Career Technical Education (CTE) fields and higher education options in Agriculture.
- Community Empowerment
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Active Cultiva-dores
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Pounds of mulch and compost used
1
People served in 2019
1
Pounds of produce given away in 2019
Our Farms
Our ‘cultiva-dores’ have had to farm for survival, understand collaboration, and value nutrition. Their prior experience as farmers is valued and seen as a strength, as they help to transform food access in Los Angeles.
Our Team
Jose Miguel Ruiz, MSW
Founder & CEO
Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, PhD
Board/Secretary
Robert J. Foss, JD
Board/Treasurer
Danielle C. Lara, MSW
Fund Development
Espiridion Ruiz Orea
Operations
Mayra I. Ramirez, MSW
Health Analyst
GET INVOLVED (COVID-19)
Volunteer at our FREE Emergency Grab & Go Produce Distribution
Donate Now
Thank you for considering making a gift to CultivaLA. Your gift will make a difference and have a lasting impact in the immediate lives of children, adults and community.
News
Cultivating Community in Downtown Los Angeles
In March 2020, Los Angeles Councilmember Gil Cedillo asked Jose Ruiz, MSW ’17, if he could upscale his community garden to provide 300 Emergency Grab-n-Go food bags each week to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Ruiz had just last year taken .16 acres of space in the Westlake neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles and created a farming community.
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