Areli Alanis Mendoza is a CCOF Future Organic Farmers Grantee.
Areli Alanis Mendoza works as a Small Farm Ambassador and Instructor with the Ecological Agriculture Training Program, where she mentors incubator farmers, develops and teaches a bilingual curriculum, and leads community outreach. She combines classroom education with field-based training, focusing on regenerative agriculture and soil health.
“I’ve found purpose not just in growing food, but in growing relationships—between people, the land, and their stories,” she says. “Whether I’m leading a composting workshop in Spanish, speaking at the Grow Conference, or coordinating a women’s circle for Inland Empire farmers, I strive to create inclusive, transformative spaces that nurture both land and community.”
Alanis Mendoza aims to remove barriers by empowering individuals and communities through sustainable farming and food education. “My passion lies in creating access—to land, to knowledge, and to food,” she says. “Educating others about food insecurity isn’t just a job for me; it’s a calling. As someone with firsthand experience navigating the food system, I understand the barriers many people face when it comes to accessing fresh, healthy food. I am eager to continue this work of food justice, environmental sustainability, and the importance of community care.”
“As a woman in agriculture, I carry a deep sense of responsibility and pride in paving the way for others, especially other women of color who may not see themselves represented in this field. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when women lead in spaces of cultivation. Through initiatives I helped coordinate, I’ve witnessed how vital it is to center the voices of women in agricultural spaces. I want to keep creating room at the table—for collaboration, leadership, and healing.”
In addition to holding lofty goals, Alanis Mendoza puts ideas into immediate action. “My education has allowed me to bring scientific insight to the hands-on experience I’ve developed through working on farms,” she says. “The knowledge I’m gaining through my academic journey strengthens my ability to be an effective mentor, educator, and advocate. Ultimately, my goal is to create a model of farming education that centers culture, sustainability, and female empowerment. My academic training is helping me turn that vision into a reality.”
The CCOF Foundation is proud to support producers like Areli Alanis Mendoza with the Future Organic Farmers grant, which provides $5,000 scholarships to college and vocational students training for careers in organic agriculture.
If you would like to contribute to the success of Future Organic Farmers grantees like Areli Alanis Mendoza, please contact the CCOF Foundation’s Donor Relations Manager Shawna Rodgers at srodgers@ccof.org to learn more.
