When fire destroyed the Altadena Community Garden, Erica Slater looked underground for answers. By using mushrooms to heal the soil, she shows how true rebuilding starts not with walls—but with the earth itself. Erica Slater is a Senior Brand Manager at Califia Farms and a volunteer with the Altadena Community Garden, where she is chair of the Membership & Outreach Team. Born and raised in Altadena, she and her family were among many who lost their home in the Eaton Fire. As they rebuild and reclaim their land, Erica draws on her professional experience in the plant-based food sector to highlight the connection between healthy soil, nutrition, and community. Her work reflects a belief that resilience grows from the ground up. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx