This Pride Month, CAFF is honored to spotlight Solar Punk Farms, a queer-led climate hub nestled in Sonoma County. Founded by a pair of husbands, Nick Schwanz and Spencer Scott who began their journey in climate work—but not yet on the land—Solar Punk Farms is more than a regenerative farm. It’s a living, joyful rejection of the status quo, and a blueprint for building a more just, more vibrant future.
“We were drawn to Oregon at first,” they shared, “but the vibe wasn’t right. We realized that without community, land doesn’t hold the same meaning.” Instead, they rooted themselves in California, weaving together their queer identities, climate action, and community-building into one bold experiment.
The farm’s name is inspired by the solarpunk movement—part science fiction, part political vision—which imagines a future of sustainability, equity, and abundance. But as they put it, “The punk in Solar Punk is important. It’s a rejection of systems that harm us—heteronormativity, transphobia, environmental destruction. Our work is about reimagining everything, from how we party to how we farm.”
Resilience Grows in Community
For Solar Punk Farms, resilience isn’t something you build alone. “We couldn’t have done any of this without our family—chosen and biological. Resilience comes from diversity. It comes from joy.” The farm took root during the isolation of the pandemic, when five people came together after spending months alone. “Working side-by-side gave us strength. It reminded us how much more is possible when you don’t have to do it all yourself.”
Their approach to farming is deeply relational, treating the land not as a backdrop, but as a co-conspirator in queer joy and survival.
Empowerment Through Irresistible Climate Action
Solar Punk Farms empowers queer folks to engage with climate justice by making sustainability irresistible. One example? Their “Dye-vestment Party”—a playful, art-filled event aimed at encouraging people to divest from climate-harming banks and reinvest in regenerative solutions.
“We believe you can educate and inspire people without guilt or fear. Our events are about action through joy. We want people to want to participate in climate action—not because they have to, but because it feels good.”
The farm serves as both classroom and playground, hosting events that blend ecology with celebration—Russian River weekends, drag shows, workshops, and more.
Building A Regenerative, Queer Future
When asked what advice they’d give to other LGBTQIA2S+ folks interested in land stewardship, their answer was simple but powerful: “Do it with others. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to know everything. Let learning be the project. And don’t let Instagram define your success.”
One of their most cherished memories? A drag show on the farm to celebrate one of their grandmother’s 80th birthdays—complete with sequins, hay bales, and family from Iowa. “It was a beautiful collision of queer joy and Midwestern family values. Totally unforgettable.”
As we reflect on the intersecting histories of Pride and resistance, Solar Punk Farms reminds us that land can be a place of healing, imagination, and collective power.
“A truly inclusive, regenerative future looks like this: intergenerational, joyful, rooted in care. And it’s something we’re building together—one event, one harvest, one conversation at a time.”
At CAFF, we are proud to celebrate and stand with the LGBTQIA2S+ community—not just during Pride Month, but every day. Queer farmers and land stewards like Nick and Spencer at Solar Punk Farms are leading the way toward a more just, joyful, and regenerative future. This conversation with Nick is just one glimpse into the powerful work happening at the intersection of queerness, climate action, and community care. To learn more about Solar Punk Farms and their upcoming events, visit solarpunkfarms.com.