Whole Earth Festival Values
These are the values upheld by the staff of this year's Whole Earth Festival. In this shared space, we ask all festival goers to honor and embody these values. They reflect our dedication and prioritization of creating an inclusive, sustainable, safe, and educational environment for everyone.
Community
Whether it be shared music taste or matching grime beneath our nails from sorting compost, Whole Earth proudly fosters an environment in which students, community members, and strangers alike can meet and forge genuine relationships. The orchestration of this festival takes innumerable hands and hearts working together to achieve a common goal. Community is the “Whole” to our “Earth Festival.” Of the Earth, our commitment to community must extend past just ourselves and what we know and embrace open mindedness.
Sustainability
Though far from perfect, Whole Earth Festival champions its commitment to becoming ever more sustainable with each year of its evolution. In its 56 years, WEF has transitioned to offering exclusively vegetarian food options, recruiting a team of compost-sorting volunteers, and incorporating a reusable dish program that outsiders can only describe as absurd before seeing it in action. We hope to earn our status as zero-waste, evermore incorporating creative methods of waste reduction and sustainability. This not only matters for current generations, but also future ones, and as a staff we’re committed to sharing practices that care for our planet.
Diversity
Diversity at WEF goes beyond representation—it’s about celebrating the richness of different identities, cultures, and perspectives. We believe that bringing together people from a range of backgrounds fosters dialogue, creativity, and mutual learning. By honoring all forms of diversity, we hope to cultivate a space that thrives on the strengths in our differences and encourages all voices in a room to share.
Respect
Approaching all situations nonviolently means reducing tension and gaining understanding to create resolution. Perspectives and opinions differ, and respect for these differences is key to nonviolence. As nonviolence asks our staff and volunteers to be respectful of others as human beings across situations, we ask the same of festival goers and anyone else who enters WEF spaces. Respect pronouns, opinions, and boundaries; treat others with the same respect you would like to be treated with.
Equity
Equity means ensuring everyone, especially those historically marginalized, has fair access to the opportunities at WEF. We work to identify and dismantle barriers that may prevent full participation. Equity is not about treating everyone the same, but about creating conditions where everyone has what they need to contribute and thrive.
Inclusivity
We strive to make WEF a place where all people feel welcomed, respected, and valued so they can participate in this space in ways that are authentic to themselves. We recognize that in order to be a truly inclusive space, WEF must be accessible to all. While this is an ongoing process, we are committed to broadening our accessibility initiatives in order to create an event where all who want to are able to attend and participate how they wish.
Consent
Consent involves communicating boundaries and respecting boundaries, be them physical, mental, or emotional. Consent should be affirmative, voluntary, and ongoing; it is non-negotiable at WEF.
Accountability
We acknowledge that WEF has caused harm in the past by being culturally appropriative and insensitive. Accountability means taking responsibility, reflecting on our actions, and instituting change. We hold ourselves and our community responsible for upholding our values and creating a space where humility, growth, repair, and integrity are prioritized.
Learning
We see learning as a lifelong process rooted in curiosity, humility, and open-mindedness. WEF aims to foster spaces where people can challenge their assumptions and expand their perspectives. Whether through conversation, workshops, or simply being present with others, learning at WEF is a collective act of evolving towards a more just, informed, and caring world.
Advocacy
We have a responsibility as an organization with a large platform to elevate the voices of and advocate for communities who are marginalized and oppressed. WEF roots its community and work in the values listed, and it is our duty to advocate for those in situations where these ethics are threatened.
Empathy
Empathy is the capacity to feel with others – not just see them, but actively understand their perspective. At WEF, empathy guides how we engage with difference, resolve conflict, and build community. We strive to ensure every person feels seen, heard, and valued. Empathy moves us beyond tolerance into authentic connection and mutual respect.
Compassion
Compassion is a value we hold in mind with the legacy of David Breaux, known as ‘the compassion guy’ around Davis. We believe compassion is rooted in attentive presence and mutual recognition; it calls us to show up fully for one another in order to cultivate connection and responsive action. Through compassion, we aim to foster a culture of sustained community care where every individual feels supported and valued.