IIFH encourages such uncommon connections between sectors, and the Van Alen Institute builds on more than a century of inventive designs that have transformed cities, landscapes and regions to improve people’s lives. In hosting the inaugural Climate Council trip, IIFH got to explore what might be the most viable designs for a future of feeding the nation in uncertain times.

The trip surveyed three major components of food production: water, labor and land, to consider the impact of design on each. Tour stops included research sites at UC Davis, distribution operations in West Sacramento, processing in Williams and Zamora north of Sacramento, and large-scale farm and conservation operations in the San Joaquin Valley, Watsonville and Alameda Creek areas to the south. By visiting with local experts and operators, the Climate Council could examine the capacity of food production and transportation systems to meet the demands of an ever-increasing global population.