Ratify the selcetion for the DAO's two new committee members!
Two candidates have been chosen by the selectors, Adae Romero-Briones and Orrin Williams, to advance to the open seats on the Big Green DAO Committee!
About Jamala's Role
Insight Garden Program operates inside 9 prisons in California. We have a 1yr environmental curriculum built around planing and building gardens in maximum security prisons. Garden yield various across prisons.We also provide extensive reentry services for our participants and alums.We have virtual weekly supports.We organize green outings for our participants that include community gardens, hiking & camping trips. I am the Sr.Reentry manager ,I manage all external operations including our virtual platforms.
Could you share a specific story where you led a community toward a positive change?
When we first brought gardens to maximum security prisons, our participants could not consume the yield and the state created tremendous barriers under the guise of security.After years of advocacy, participants can consume whatever the garden produces. All of our gardens have expanded and slowly we are moving the state to allow us access to existing dead space on the facility to grow enough vegetables to feed the entire facility. Think about that? a guarantee of fresh vegetables for folks who rarely get them.
What is one specific way you think we can create a more robust and engaged Big Green DAO Community?
Create local connectivity between grantee's.I love the idea of creating a tapestry . IGP calls it a "Ecosystem of Care". We should start locally and build out. There is so much duplication in the funding and nonprofit space. We would be much more effective if our work was collaborative and complimentary.
What do you think Big Green DAO’s greatest untapped opportunity is?
The expertise we can assemble through those we fund. Also tapping into existing grantee's to identify the best possible additions to our tapestry.
Let's imagine for a moment. In an ideal world, what would the Big Green DAO look like in 5 years?
I'm hopeful that decentralized grant making that places funding power in the hands of those closest to the work will have become the norm. I'm hopeful that Big Green will have expanded in to other areas that also intersect with nature and social challenges. a great example is community gardens and I'm sure Big Green has some grantees in that space currently, I'd love to see a major thrust in that area. This is grass roots community building.
Based on your experience, what's the biggest challenge the Big Green DAO needs to overcome?
There is a perception that the DAO model cannot be scaled or adequately replicated. I think the success of the model will go a long way to combat this perception.I believe this model can scale and its imperative that it does, the current system has become a barrier to some.
What do you bring forward as a candidate that will set the DAO up for success?
Great work in the State of California at the intersection of Criminal Justice, incarceration, nature, food policy and access.Organizationally and individually we are committed to the power of nature to heal and transform. We believe deeply in the human right of healthy food access and we are in alignment with Bog Green principals
How would you define yourself in just three words?
Integrity-Commitment-Visionary
"Jamala works with a population that is often invisible to society, but sees (daily) the power of growing food within this particular community. He has had to develop programs so he understand the importance of building an infrastructure to grow community. His program, his community, and where he works demonstrates a commitment to a people/his project."
– Adae Romero-Briones
"Jamala appealed to me because I have extensive experience working with the demographic Jamala represents. The advocacy work that the organization did is impressive because I remember meeting Catherine Sneed the founder of the farm at SF County Jail and noting that the population was unable to consume the produce which I found to be a huge injustice. To Catherine's credit the produce was given to community based programs free of charge.
In the United States with the largest prison population in the world reentry is of huge importance. On that note I think a DAO committee member that has insights relevant to assisting returning citizens is critical for reducing recidivism and providing opportunities through food and gardening to recover from their experience, while developing a lifestyle that may support successful re-entry."
– Orrin Williams
About James's Role
Urban Symbiosis is an urban farm incubator and fresh food provider dedicated to transforming the fabric of our neighborhoods through the power of agriculture, aiming to forge a sustainable, self-sufficient local food system within our communities.
Could you share a specific story where you led a community toward a positive change?
In Aurora, a city traditionally known more for its urban landscape than its green spaces, we initiated a transformative movement with our program "If We Want Clean Food, We Have to Get Dirty." Aimed at increasing the number of local farms and gardens, this initiative struck a chord with the community, leading to an enthusiastic response that exceeded all expectations. By the 2024 growing season, we had inspired 20 local gardeners to transform their spaces into lush, productive areas, with an additional 5 applicants ready to convert their backyards into productive gardens. This marked a significant step towards our goal of fostering a robust local food system and deepening residents' connection with the food on their tables.
What is one specific way you think we can create a more robust and engaged Big Green DAO Community?
Big Green is such a great resource for many of us growers and small organizations. I believe that creating a system where current grantees could apply annually would greatly benefit our current and future community.
What do you think Big Green DAO’s greatest untapped opportunity is?
Farm sponsorships.
Let's imagine for a moment. In an ideal world, what would the Big Green DAO look like in 5 years?
The largest funder for small local farmers that are rooted in the work of food sovereignty.
What do you bring forward as a candidate that will set the DAO up for success?
I bring a holistic few of our local food system. I am a local urban farmer, owner of a local farmers market and the Executive Director of Urban Symbiosis.
How would you define yourself in just three words?
Rebellious, Disciplined and hardworking.
"James is engaging, and articulates his program and speaks to the subversive power of growing food (i.e. it can change the world!) He is connected to communities of Color in Colorado. ~Adae Romeo-Briones
I was impressed with his narrative while admitting that I may be biased because the capacity to grow clean food at the household and community level is important to me as part of developing a alternate and resilient urban food system along with urban farming. Comprehensive urban systems and practices are vital and not separate from rural production and a voice on the committee with insight through that lens is of utmost importance."
– Orrin Williams
Jamala and James now stand before the Community in a ratification vote. They are not competing against one another, if they both get ⅔ of the participating vote, both will ascend to the Committee. If one or both do not get ⅔ support from the participating voters, the selectors will need to advance another candidate.
