Following the ebb of the Occupy movement, an international series of protests against social and economic inequality, a group of activists in the East Bay of California have moved on to the Gill Tract, an area of prime agricultural land owned by the University of California, which the protesters claim is being underused.

Hundreds of local residents reportedly moved onto the site on Sunday and began planting seeds. The activists involved in ‘Occupy the Farm’ on the Gill Tract have offered a diverse range of explanations for their action; some have said they want to bring about a reorientation of agriculture along community lines, whilst others have claimed solidarity with the international peasant farmer movement, which is particularly strong in South America.

Students involved in the occupation said they were protesting the encroachment of transnational private interests into University of California policy; the area has been used for research purposes by a range of corporations the protesters feel are driving agriculture in an unsustainable direction. The Berkley area, where the latest occupation has taken place, has a history of student activism.

One protester, a former UC Berkeley student commented, "Farming underutilized spaces such as these can create alternatives to the corporate control of our food system. Five acres can feed up to 250 families using a community-supported agriculture model. A major component of what we're doing here is showing that urban land can and should be used to meet the food needs of local people."

Part of the occupied field is being used as an experiment in natural pest control by UC professor and “noted critic of industrial agriculture” Miguel Altieri. The occupiers have reportedly not interfered with Altieri’s research crop.

The University yesterday threatened the occupiers with eviction, fines and arrest. The protestors have said they intend to remain on their ad hoc urban farm and continue to hold workshops and promote sustainable, locally grown, community-centred food.

There has been an increased interest among the public in food production in recent years; the interest has precipitated advances in animal welfare and a rise in Community Supported Agriculture systems across Europe and North America.

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