Earthen Heart Farmland Commons Stories
This generational wealth holder, Julian Lauzzana, permaculturist +, founder of Earthen Heart, LLC +, heard The Farmers Land Trust speak at a national agriculture conference in Colorado — and got inspired.
Earthen Heart, LLC focuses on regenerative agriculture, community food production, value-added products, intergenerational living, creative lifestyles, and living in nature.
Visit Earthen Heart, LLC →Julian Lauzzana is the founder of Earthen Heart and a community homesteader, land steward, and visionary advocate for regenerative rural living. Drawing from a diverse background in culinary arts, organizational development, media production, farm-to-school research, and intentional community design, Julian has spent decades exploring how people can live in deeper relationship with each other and the land. He generously donated the founding 19.9-acre Bangor farm and helped establish the Earthen Heart Farmland Commons to create lasting opportunities for community-based food production, land stewardship, and affordable access to farmland. Through his work, Julian seeks to cultivate resilient local economies, strengthen rural communities, and demonstrate replicable models of shared land ownership and regenerative living.
Read Julian's full story →The Biodynamic Association awakens and enlivens co-creative relationships between humans and the earth, transforming the practice and culture of agriculture to renew the vitality of the earth, the integrity of our food, and the health and wholeness of our communities.
Visit the Biodynamic Association →At the , Julian heard describe a different future for land: held in common, leased for lifetimes, farmed by people who could never buy it.
A farmer, communicator, and community coordinator, Kristina brings more than a decade of experience in farming, storytelling, and fundraising to advancing farmland access and succession.
Read Kristina's full bio →Inspired, he in southwest Michigan, helping establish Earthen Heart Farmland Commons.
Ownership stays with the commons; the farming stays with the farmer. Alita's lease runs 99 years — long enough to plant perennials, build soil, raise a family, and pass the work on.
View the actual lease →Alita holds Earthen Heart's 99-year lease and is the founder and lead strategist of Jade Rabbit, a Black-owned, woman-led West Michigan social enterprise. Her work shapes food and land-based programs rooted in environmental sustainability, nutritional wellness, and cultural relevance.
Meet Alita at Jade Rabbit →One of the first community events held on the land was a pruning party — the day this photo was taken.
West Michigan Young Farmers builds power for BIPOC farmers and strengthens the local coalition through equitable land access, education, and hands-on community learning.
Meet West Michigan Young Farmers →Freedom School brings youth, community learning, and gathering onto the land.
See the Freedom School pictures →Earthen Heart is a story of land passed forward — one steward's act of generosity, a gift for the next 100 years and beyond.
Explore the Earthen Heart Farmland Commons →
