Kathleen Blakistone
Keynote Speaker

Kathleen Blakistone, lecturer of urban agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona and USC, is co-creator of Moonwater Farm. Focusing on collaboration, communing, and creation, Moonwater Farm has established a participatory model of planning and programming that centers diversity, inclusion, equity, and dialogue for altering systemic inequities. It is a recent recipient of LA County’s Justice and Care Grant supporting non-clinical efforts to service vulnerable justice-impacted people that supports the board’s vision of “Care First, Jails Last.” As a master gardener, entrepreneur, and urban shepherdess, Kathleen actively engages with a community of soil stewards, food sovereignty leaders, and placemakers. She also sits on the board of Compton G.irls Club – a non-profit expanding the cultural experiences for female and gender non-conforming BIPOC youth.