Let’s meet Nelson Hawkins. This is an interesting guy: UC Davis graduate and working to make world a better place. This is you and this is Nelson Hawkins. Feel free to reach out and shake his hand.
I am 30 years old and have lived in Northern California most of my life. I grew up in the small town of Auburn nearby in the Sierra Foothills, forever influencing my love for nature. After some life experiences, I realized my calling to do my part making the world a better place. Learning about the sickening injustices committed on the land we stand on, the environmentally destructive practices of industrial agriculture, and the aging farmer population pointed me in the direction of regenerative agriculture.
Not coming from a farming background I had to gain as much experience as I could so I volunteered, interned and worked on all types of farms I could get the opportunity to. From vegetables to fruits to mushrooms to chickens to honey bees to freshwater fish to worm composting. While gaining farm experience, I studied sustainable agriculture in community college and at UC Davis. My wife Tonisha and I moved to West Sacramento during that time and have been here ever since, and now have started our family with our three month young daughter
After graduating, I started We Grow Urban Farm through the Center for Land Based Learning farm incubator program where we grow seasonal vegetables and fruits for the surrounding neighborhood in Broderick and to local markets. We are located on corner of Cummins way and Douglas street, directly across the street from Elkhorn Village elementary school
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Originally was pursuing a career in videography and was on the path to getting a degree from UCSC. At that time my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my family couldn’t afford the schooling so I took the community college route. Then, I started taking a closer look at how diet affects health and what we put into our bodies that can cause cancer or help fight it. I started learning about how food is grown and became concerned with the toxic practices of industrial agriculture where a lot of the food we buy from the store comes from. I realized my calling at that point and transformed my career path towards regenerative agriculture, learning and gaining as much experience as I could about growing food using ecologically responsible and social just practices. I was able to get into UC Davis with a scholarship and earned my B.Sc. degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and a minor in Ecology. Shortly after graduating, I started my long-term goal of operating a diversified vegetable and fruit farm in 2018 in West Sac. We have expanded our growing space and community impact every year and I plan to continue growing our family business for generations to come
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Ay Jalisco, La Crosta, Sal’s, Pooja Indian Grill, Raku
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Lived here 5 years
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Anywhere in the tropics because I love the climate, the people, the food and warm ocean
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I don’t watch much TV but usually check out competition shows that are less “staged” and more real. For movies, Space jam is one I always enjoyed growing up and remains timeless
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Always keep ya head up and only listen to voices that inspire, uplift and empower you
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel to every continent
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
The Roots
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Black thought because he’s one of the most talented hip hop emcees I’ve ever listened to. Dude is a straight up genius. I’d probably meet him at Raku sushi
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Walking or riding bikes along the the river
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Raising my kids with my wife and still doing regenerative agriculture on a larger piece of land growing food for the people and educating the next generation to do the same
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was on my way to be a professional skateboarder. Was sponsored and everything. Used to travel all over to compete in contests and get footage for videos
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Jamaica
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Everyday is a day to celebrate life
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Nothing is perfect… everything has room for improvement
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Thyme and Basil
Q: What is one business you would like to have in West Sacramento? (which we don’t have one already)
Food Co-op
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family,
