Monterey County. Our first pilot region.
Regenerative California partners with communities to deliver solutions—in Monterey County that means more housing, a thriving ocean economy, and healthier food systems.
Why Monterey County?
It’s a place of contrasts—one of California’s wealthiest and most economically challenged counties, it’s also home to iconic coastlines, thriving ecosystems, and a convergence of powerhouse industries: agriculture, tourism, marine, and construction alongside tech, education, and healthcare.
Monterey isn’t just a microcosm of California—it’s a launchpad for what’s possible.
In 2023, we brought together Monterey County voices—from farmers to fishermen, scientists to businesses—to map out the region’s path to a regenerative economy.
Following our interviews, research, and workshops, we developed a community vision for the desired future of a Regenerative Monterey County.
You can see them in this report.
Today, we are partnering with local nonprofits, businesses, and government leaders with three pilot projects designed to tackle urgent challenges and ignite lasting systems change across the region.
Monterey County Attainable Housing Initiative
Monterey’s Attainable Housing Initiative represents a groundbreaking effort to unite diverse stakeholders around a shared mission: creating attainable, healthy housing to serve Monterey County’s “missing middle” residents - those that do not qualify for traditional affordable housing subsidies but still cannot afford full market rates. While there are many valuable efforts underway in the region and across the state to tackle similar housing challenges, this Task Force is unique in its community-driven approach, bringing together cross-sector expertise and aligning local resources to specifically address Monterey’s unique housing landscape. By focusing on distinct place-based needs, this initiative aims to create a model that can inspire and inform broader housing strategies in California.
Collaborators and Trusted Advisors
Build Better for Health
Revision West
Shibusa Systems
Regenerate 68! Farm
Regenerative California and Big Sur Land Trust are in shared stewardship of 68 acres at the historic Ferrini Ranch—now known as Regenerate 68! Farm. This community demonstration farm is a living classroom for outcome-driven soil health, biodiversity, and climate-resilient agriculture. In addition to Regenerative California’s production are four micro-enterprise farmers who are cultivating 5–17 acre plots of vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers - proving what’s possible when land, talent, and innovation align.
From Regenerate 68! Farm, nutrient-dense food will flow directly to Monterey County schools, hospitals, food banks, and local businesses—making healthy, healing food accessible to everyone.
Collaborators and Trusted Advisors
ALBA
Big Sur Land Trust
California FarmLink
The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County
WildFarm Alliance
The Future of Blue
We're working to revitalize the fishing economy in Monterey Bay in partnership with the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust. This community-based initiative is called The Future of Blue. The goal is for Monterey Bay’s blue economy to be recognized as a valuable social, cultural and economic driver in the region. We hope to become a model for other regions in California (and beyond). To achieve this vision, we are bringing together leaders and creative thinkers across commercial (seafood/food systems), tribal, research and innovation/technology sectors to co-create a sustainable blue economy looking towards 2030 and beyond.
Collaborator and Trusted Advisor
Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust
Learn More About Our Work
Working with SecondMuse in 2023, Regenerative California convened stakeholders across the region to understand the unique regional challenges and opportunities in Monterey. We also featured some members of the incredible Monterey community and their take on building a regenerative future.
