Mission and Vision

Mission: Co-creating a regenerative grow-to-donate farming and learning community that connects and supports underserved families, growing accessible healthy food, and earning livable wage jobs.

Vision:  A participatory network of local food systems and learning and working communities to unite people with the joy of growing, donating, preparing, and sharing healthy, delicious food.

DEI:  At Open Source Ag, we believe that the strength and vitality of our regenerative, grow-to-donate farming and learning community depend on including people from all backgrounds and experiences. Our mission to co-create accessible food systems and livable wage jobs is rooted in the conviction that everyone deserves a seat at the table—literally and figuratively.

We are committed to stewarding a participatory network where diversity is celebrated, and equity is actively pursued. We welcome and support families, individuals, and communities of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and lived experiences. We recognize the systemic barriers that have historically limited access to healthy food, land, education, and fair employment, and we strive together to dismantle these barriers through our programs, partnerships, and practices.

    

Link to view our Platinum GuideStar organization profile.

Conventional and Regenerative Ag

We utilize regenerative practices and we partner with conventional ag farms too. Our purpose is to encourage people away from highly processed foods. 

2025 Goals and Plans

We began as a small regenerative ag grow-to-donate farm that grows fruit and veg for food pantries, food banks, and senior centers. In 2025 we are adding GrowToDonate.org to scale donations beyond what we can grow on site. We are partnering with local farmers to glean, pick, pack, and deliver products that may look less than perfect and still taste great. We transport all to food pantries, food banks, and meal programs (seniors, homeless, veterans), and encourage others to do the same, whether they have one lemon tree in their backyard or a field of produce. Our workshops this year focus on grant writing, grow-to-donate, healthy eating, and regenerative agriculture.

Poppy, our mobile farm stand and mesa comunitaria celebrates community and healthy eating. Here’s more on Poppy.

2024 Season’s progress

Produce deliveries total 5,080 pounds to SLO Meals that Connect, SLO Food Bank, and Santa Maria Urban Ministry in San Jose. In 2024 we donated 5,080 pounds. We have an orchard in year three that hasn’t been in play yet. We plan to increase our onsite deliveries to 10,000 pounds. Our focus will be more on expanding through community efforts than increasing production on site. We bought a box trailer and cooler to pick up produce we purchase or glean from local farmers or gardeners to increase contributions. With Poppy, we plan to add an additional 10,000 pounds donated to reach a 20,000 pound goal.

2024 Annual Report (links within this site)

Our Team

The Open Source Ag 501 (c)(3) small farm site is owned by Curt and Kelly Cooper. The farm is leased to Open Source Ag for $1 per year. The Coopers don’t collect wages, salary, or benefits from the nonprofit. They donate between $35,000-50,000 of personal funds each year toward growing and donating food. All produce is donated, none is sold.

We are grateful for the community of friends and partners supporting our efforts to grow, donate, and scale.

Our partners and sponsors are impressed by our operational approach and capacity. We retired to start this grow-to-donate farm. Kelly’s career was as faculty and later as vice chancellor in the CA Community College system. She led, wrote, and reported on approximately $75m in grant awards. Kelly is certified in permaculture design and a PMI Certified Agile Practitioner. Curt’s career was as vice president or COO in high-tech manufacturing. Together, we have significant operations and project management experience.

     

Supporting Ag Apprenticeships

Open Source Agriculture Apprenticeships mentor apprentices (US Department of Labor and CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards) for Occupations:

• • Regenerative Agriculture Technicians
  • Agriculture Technicians
  • Precision Agriculture Technicians
  • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

These approved Occupations weave business, technology, farming, and environmental practices to embrace interesting and meaningful careers focused on current and future food providers, stewards of land, and sustainable, profitable businesses. We will collaborate with high schools on youth apprenticeships and small farms on ag apprentices.