Chalk art made by event participants.
“Helping out at the Other Strawberry Festival was so fun! Meeting all the other collaborators, like Justice for All or Earth on Fire, who hosted a zine workshop, is something I’ll never forget. I feel grateful to have been an organizer; seeing our vision come to life was something that made me proud. I admire the interns and staff who put all their hard work and dedication into this. I also want to thank PSFP for this opportunity.” — PFSP intern Elizabeth, a senior at Oxnard High School
The Other Strawberry Festival 2026, hosted at Community Roots Garden, brought together approximately 150 community members, farmers, educators, youth leaders, and partner organizations for an afternoon of hands-on learning, creativity, and connection focused on reimagining our food system.
The event opened with a performance of “Drift,” a powerful play inspired by the interactive approach of the Theatre of the Oppressed. PFSP interns wrote and performed this play, which gives voice to the health effects from the “drift” of pesticides from fields that surround local schools. The scenes portray student efforts to address the issue through contacting their principal and school board to advocate for change. Audience participants engaged with the actors to find workable solutions to this serious problem. Click for a short excerpt showing audience discussion and participation.
70 people attended “Drift” and then participated in an action step by signing the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) petition to stop the new Farm Bill from giving immunity to pesticide companies that cause harm.
We also collected signatures, with California Pesticide Reform (CPR), to petition the Department of Pesticide Regulation to notify California residents with the exact location of where pesticides are sprayed.
The play set the tone for the day, which was grounded in awareness, participation, and collective inquiry.
The festival flowed into a series of workshops and booths where partners offered interactive, educational, and creative experiences. Offerings included:
- Tequio Youth led screen-printing of activist symbols and messaging.
- California Pesticide Reform discussed their campaign that aligns with the “Drift” interactive play.
- PFSP hosted workshops on tortilla and “Food Justice” taco making, organic strawberry cookie decorating, and chalk art (see photo).
- Rincon-Vitova Insectaries offered an interactive, beneficial insect experience, including hands-on engagement with live organisms, as an alternative to using pesticides.
- Rodale Institute demonstrated soil health practices and principles.
- CAUSE explored the intersection of AI and power plants.
- Earth on Fire Artist Collective led a zine workshop.
- Rio Farm harvested and distributed free organic strawberries.
- Community Roots Garden offered garden tours and place-based learning.
- VC Justice for All led a 45-minute workshop about youth organizing, attended by both their youth leaders and festival participants.
- Mini-Nature Preserve discussed the importance of native plants.
PFSP gained 29 new constituents who signed up to be notified about local pesticide actions and PFSP updates.
Throughout the event, Community Roots Garden served as both a gathering space and a living model of community-based, land-centered learning. The festival emphasized accessibility, curiosity, and collective action — creating a space where people could explore new ideas, build relationships, and envision pathways toward a more just and regenerative food system.
“I am grateful for all of the community unity at the Other Strawberry Festival. I loved all the cooperation and participation we experienced for the play ‘Drift.’” — PFSP intern Becky, senior at Oxnard High School
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