Case Study: Agroecology Center
The Agroecology Center is an interdisciplinary space and think tank dedicated to training, developing, and building a sustainable future for Black regenerative farmers and land stewards.
With a small core staff and more than 20 board and committee members, the organization operates at the intersection of land stewardship, racial justice, and political advocacy—often under significant external pressure.
We partnered with the Agroecology Center to build conflict resilience in a way that was proportionate, practical, and supportive of their broader mission.
Our work included:
Delivering our conflict resilience course to establish shared language and skills
Providing targeted coaching to support leaders and staff through sensitive dynamics
Developing clear conflict-related policies and training the team on how to implement them in practice
The approach balanced care, clarity, and efficiency—strengthening internal capacity without diverting focus from urgent external work.
The organization was navigating delicate and high-stakes dynamics around roles, politics, and power within a closely connected, deeply invested team.
These challenges were unfolding in the context of intense political pressure and real external threats. At the same time, the organization needed to strengthen its ability to address conflict and tension—without over-investing time and energy in internal process when so many urgent external demands remained.
The Agroecology Center strengthened its ability to navigate conflict without fracturing trust or losing momentum.
Staff and board members gained shared language, clearer expectations, and practical tools for addressing tension in high-pressure moments. This allowed the organization to stay grounded, protect relationships, and continue its work in service of Black farmers and land stewards—even amid ongoing political pressure.