Resistance and resilience: Berkeley Student Farms blooms amid pandemic
Moe Sumino/Courtesy
When life came to a screeching halt last spring, Berkeley Student Farms, or BSF, found its purpose.
BSF is a coalition that sprouted into existence this past summer, uniting the seven existing UC Berkeley student-run gardens under common values. By sharing resources and knowledge, the gardens can accomplish more together than they were able to apart.
“We have students that want to learn more about how to feed themselves and not be so reliant on a broken food system,” said Moe Sumino, a campus sophomore majoring in conservation and resource studies. Sumino is the gardens data and finance coordinator of the Berkeley Food Institute, a campus hub that facilitates the distribution of resources to improve our food systems. She provides structural support for all seven student farms, manages budgets, orders equipment and communicates with other organizations. Along with several other student