Rural Justice Summit
8th Annual
Rural Justice Summit
The Rural Justice Summit is returning November 7-8, 2025!
Day 1 - First Annual Food and Farm Tour (Friday, November 7)
Day 2 - Summit at UC Merced (Saturday, November 8)
Program & Offerings
Event Overview
On November 7-8, 2025, the Rural Justice Summit (RJS) will bring together and center farmers/land ecosystem tenders in both rural and urban areas of California. Held in Merced, CA, the Summit seeks to secure relationships with rural and urban farmers, land tenders, food producers, to increase our knowledge on the importance of connections as it pertains to our watershed, foodshed, energy shed, social justice shed and beyond.
The Rural Justice Summit is designed to uplift current issues facing historically underserved communities that steward the land in California, and bring together local leaders innovating solutions to those challenges. Through the tracks outlined in the RJS Ecosystem, the Summit will facilitate the sharing of diverse stories, struggles and resources from herbalists, cooks, farmers, aggregators, distributors, specialty crop cultivators, youth, activists, disabled/differently-abled land tenders, artists and accomplices.
The Rural Justice Summit Ecosystem
FUBU Food and Farm Tour
The first annual RJS Food + Farm Tour offers three regional routes throughout the Central Valley: Visalia, Fresno and Merced. Each tour includes 2-3 stops at local farms and food hubs focused on agroecological practices. All tours will end at Sweet Valley Produce in Merced, CA, for a beautiful community dinner event featuring four chefs and local produce.
Trashion Passion Show Competition
The Trashion Passion Show Competition is a multi-county youth-led fashion event part of the Rural Justice Summit. Competition Participants are being called to transform trash and recycled materials into bold, sustainable fashion statements. High school designers ages 14–18 will create original outfits using donated fabrics, upcycled textiles, and unconventional materials like curtains, rugs, and plastics. The competition not only showcases creativity and innovation but also raises awareness about waste reduction and sustainable fashion. With support from local volunteers, craft and fabric stores, and community partners, the show will highlight the power of reimagining waste as wearable art.
Partnership Opportunities
We are seeking to create relationships through intentional partnerships to produce a summit that brings essential justice resources to all. These resources are not only critical for urban and rural communities, but for people and the planet to thrive overall.
Meet the RJS Team
Community Activator Team (CAT)
RJS Core Team
California Farmer Justice Collaborative Team
Past Rural Justice Summits
California Farmer Justice Collaborative is a fiscally sponsored project of Pesticide Action Network North America.
