ABOUT US
Nourish Children. Empower Families. Restore Creation.
The Agrarian Institute was founded in 2022, to play our part in ending food insecurity in San Diego by nourishing and empowering our neighbors. Rooted in our Christian faith and creation care ethic, we believe that by teaching people the art of growing their own food and providing essential food relief, we can help create a resilient and thriving community. We envision a San Diego where every individual has access to nutritious meals and the knowledge and tools to cultivate their own sustenance. Together, we're sowing seeds of hope, ensuring that no one in our city goes to bed hungry, and fostering a future where every neighbor can flourish.
Future Plans
We are currently in the design, engineering, and fundraising phase of our land transformation masterplan. The below images show the full 28-acre farmland in Bonsall and the future vision map of the land. As you can see, the land will be managed in partnership between The Agrarian Institute and the Bonsall Berry Farm (a for-profit blueberry farm owned by founding board members of The Agrarian Institute). The Agrarian Institute and Bonsall Berry Farm will have an innovative and collaborative partnership. We will share land, resources, research, and community outreach.
Sowing seeds of hope and ensuring no child in our city goes to bed hungry.
Meet the Team
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Mario DeMatteo
Executive Director / Founder
Mario is a storyteller, an educator, and an urban farmer. He grows tasty organic veggies in his wheelchair accessible backyard garden and conspires about changing the neighborhood through backyard (and front yard) farming. Mario believes God still performs miracles because he sees them every day in the garden. He has an MA in Literature & Creative Writing from CSUSM and pending Permaculture Design Certificates from SD Sustainable Living Institute and Geoff Lawton Permaculture. He lives with his wife Karla, their long-legged jack russel, a fish, a tortoise, and a worm family in the worm bin. He attends North Coast Church Vista.
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Marcos Mujica
Director of Programs / Founder
Marcos is an urban farmer, composter, and aspiring follower of Jesus. His farming is not just about farming. It’s about participating with God in the healing of this world. It’s about restoring shalom to the earth. It’s about transforming the world, broken by sin, into what God intended when God created the world. Marcos has 10+ years experience in executive level non-profit leadership. He is a licensed landscape development contractor, with 14+ years of experience in regenerative agriculture, manure management & composting. He received his BA PLNU. He lives with his wife, Linda and daughter, Ines. He attends North Coast Church Vista.
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Scott Hancock
Board Member
Scott is the CEO of BLVR creative agency. He founded Risen Magazine and The Glue Network. He currently serves on the board of Love Light + Melody, a nonprofit organization working to amplify the stories of vulnerable children and bring them hope through the power of education. Scott is also a founding board member of B Local San Diego, a community of Certified B Corps in San Diego using their power to redefine the role of business and create a positive impact on society. He attends North Coast Calvary Church.
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Roy Inzunza
Board Member
Roy is the CEO of SquarePatch Inc, a Corporate Chaplaincy in the San Diego Area. He has been an active Corporate Chaplain for over 7 years. He believes the workplace deserves purpose, meaning, and joy by nurturing a humanizing environment through care, coaching, and counseling. Roy has Masters in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care & Counseling, is a Certified Spiritual Director, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Leadership. He lives with his wife and two sons. He attends North Coast Calvary Church.
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Wendy Foster
Advisor
Wendy has over 15 years of progressive experience working with Museums and other educational Nonprofit organizations. She leads Don Harrington Discovery Center strategy, exhibits and programs, fundraising, and related activities as the Executive Director. She earned a Masters of Art Education from Texas Tech University, and a BA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from Pepperdine University.
FAQs
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Yes, we are. Our non-profit federal tax ID 87-2013790.
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Our Christian faith inspires us to grow food for our neighbors as an expression of love, compassion, and community service. This commitment is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized the importance of caring for others, especially those in need. The concept of loving one's neighbor as oneself, a central tenet in Christianity, extends beyond spiritual care to encompass meeting physical needs. Growing food for our neighbors is a tangible way to live out our Christian faith, promote social justice, and embody the spirit of compassion.
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Yes, please contact mario@theagrarianinstitute.org to schedule school farm tours .