Petaluma's Agricultural History

Petaluma, California is situated between the coast and the rolling hills of Sonoma County, boasting a temperate climate ideal for growing food. And yet its inhabitants now experience the same water scarcity and environmental decline that is happening everywhere across the country and around the globe. What changed?

Long before the early 1900’s when Petaluma became known as the "Egg Basket of the World,” the Coast Miwok were the primary stewards ensuring the health of its agricultural diversity and production. Populating the area for millennia, the Miwok applied what we now recognize as highly developed land management practices that made apparent an in-depth understanding of natural systems, all while supporting their communities and surrounding ecosystems. They managed native crops such as nuts, acorns, grains, vegetables, and fruits within their natural setting (as opposed to row crops), timing their wild-harvest to maintain the health of the entire ecosystem. Their understanding of seasonal fluctuations, soil fertility, and water cycles contributed to the richness of the region's agricultural resources, establishing Petaluma as a hub for food production long before European settlers arrived. The agricultural legacy of the Miwok now serves as an advisory on land restoration and on how to implement agricultural practices that align with natural processes.

In contrast, the impact of today’s conventional agriculture on climate change and ecosystem collapse is profound. The practice of tilling alone has led to a dramatic decrease in soil microbial activity, organic matter and topsoil, reducing soil fertility and its ability to filter and retain water and carbon. Dust storms (now referred to as “Haboobs”) are increasing, along with dead spaces in lakes and oceans, such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico that grew to 9,000 square miles in 2017, or roughly the size of New Jersey. This dead space was created by the runoff of topsoil saturated with fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides from the Mississippi River.

The good news is that peer-reviewed, scientific studies now confirm that truly regenerative farming and ranching practices can reverse this trend.

In order to honor the agricultural contributions of the Coast Miwok, REA is committed to learning from and amplifying their rich history of nature-based farming. By recognizing their deep knowledge of the land, we integrate Miwok agricultural wisdom and cultural traditions into our educational programs. In this way we uphold and celebrate their enduring legacy while advancing a new model of agricultural education for future generations.