Novella Carpenter

Novella Carpenter is an American writer, farmer, and advocate for urban agriculture and sustainable food systems. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, she became known for her unconventional approach to urban farming when she began raising goats, chickens, rabbits, and pigs in her small Oakland backyard while living in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood. Her experiences became the subject of her bestselling 2009 memoir 'Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer,' which chronicles her journey of growing her own food and raising livestock in the city while navigating community relationships, environmental challenges, and personal growth. The book resonated with a generation interested in local food movements, sustainability, and reconnecting with agricultural practices in urban environments. Beyond her writing, Carpenter has become a prominent voice in discussions about food justice, environmental equity, and the possibility of thriving gardens and farms in unlikely places. Her work has inspired countless readers to reconsider their relationship with food production and has contributed to the broader urban farming movement that has transformed cities worldwide.