How a local high school student’s pumpkin patch was a symbol for environmental justice and how we can make change in our own backyards.
Phillip Cann’s backyard pumpkin patch might seem like a small, summer project. However, for the aspiring environmental advocate, it became a powerful symbol of resilience, sustainability, and environmental justice.
“It wasn’t easy,” Cann recalls. “I spent hours in the sun, battling blisters and exhaustion, but I wanted to prove I could make it work.”
What began as a personal challenge—a bucket list dream to grow pumpkins—quickly transformed into a deeper experiment in sustainable agriculture. Cann set out to re-landscape his backyard, which was struggling due to the dry California climate, into a thriving space, capable of supporting 60 mounds of pumpkin vines.
This commitment to the project went beyond the physical labor. Cann conducted thorough research and implemented environmentally conscious practices to ensure success. To rejuvenate the soil, he brewed a compost sludge–using grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, and water— into a concoction rich in nutrients. After spreading this homemade fertilizer and layering the soil with straw to protect the microbiome, Cann ensured his pumpkin vines had the optimal environment to flourish. For pest control, he chose sustainable methods, relying on neem oil and capsaicin instead of synthetic pesticides.
Benefiting from Cann’s best efforts, his pumpkins thrived into an appealing bunch – irresistible actually to some eager onlookers. “These squirrels ate out my pumpkins one by one, forcing me to harvest the rest early,” Cann shared. Even after carving the salvaged pumpkins, the determined rodents found their way into his house and destroyed the creations before they could be displayed.
“They were further decimated when I set them on my porch—they weren’t even deterred by the cayenne I sprinkled,” he added. The relentless squirrels tested Cann’s patience, but he used the experience as a reminder of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife in sustainable agriculture. For Cann, the incident reinforced the importance of coexistence and adaptability in his environmental journey.
“My goal wasn’t just to grow pumpkins but to grow them responsibly,” Cann explained. “The project taught me how small changes in agricultural methods can have a big impact.”
Cann’s approach aligns with his broader goal of sustainability and environmental justice. His techniques emphasize restoring soil health, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals, and promoting biodiversity—all vital for combating the environmental challenges facing agriculture today. Moreover, his efforts underscore how sustainable practices can empower individuals and communities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation.
By October, Cann’s diligence paid off with a harvest of 24 pumpkins—a yield that silenced initial skeptics, including his family, who doubted the viability of the project. But Cann views the real triumph not in the pumpkins themselves, but in the lessons he learned and skills he gained. The project taught him hands-on skills in soil remediation, he says, resource management, and eco-friendly farming. It also instilled a profound belief in the power of individual action.
“Environmental justice starts at home,” Cann said. “If we all take small, sustainable actions, the cumulative effect could be monumental.”
Cann envisions taking these principles further. With plans to pursue sustainability through chemistry, he hopes to tackle pressing issues like soil degradation, biodiversity loss, agricultural pollution, and creating innovative solutions for sustainable food systems.
“I want to help restore ecosystems and create food systems that future generations can depend on,” he shared.
His backyard project exemplifies how localized efforts can inspire broader change. By transforming his yard into a model of sustainability, Cann demonstrates that meaningful change often begins with a single seed. As he reflects on the summer, he sees the pumpkin patch as more than just a garden—it’s a testament to perseverance, creativity, and a commitment to a greener, more equitable future.
For this pumpkin farmer, the lesson is clear: resilience and sustainability aren’t just ideals—they’re actions we can pursue in our own backyards. Every effort, no matter how small, makes a significant difference.
Whether it’s growing pumpkins or rethinking everyday habits, Cann’s work challenges us all to reimagine our role in creating a more sustainable future. Change, as he so powerfully demonstrates, begins with each of us—in our backyards, communities, and beyond.
