Farming While Black | Leah Penniman | TEDxBoston

Some of our most cherished sustainable farming practices - from organic agriculture to the CSA - have roots in African wisdom. Yet, discrimination and violence have deprived the Black community of farmland, capital, and healthy food access. Soul Fire Farm is part of a national network working toward food sovereignty and land justice. Learn how we can build upon Afro-Indigenous wisdom in reshaping the food system to be based on equity and abundance rather than exploitation and deprivation. Leah Penniman (li/she/ya/elle) is a Black Kreyol farmer, peyizan, mother, soil nerd, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. As Co-ED and Farm Director, Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs - including farmer training for Black & Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international organizing toward equity in the food system. Leah has been farming since 1996, holds an MA in Science Education and a BA in Environmental Science and International Development from Clark University, and is a member of clergy in both Vodun and Ifa. Leah trained at Many Hands Organic Farm, Farm School MA, and internationally with farmers in Ghana, Haiti, and Mexico. She also served as a high school biology and environmental science teacher for 17 years. The work of Leah and Soul Fire Farm has been recognized by the Soros Racial Justice Fellowship, Fulbright Program, Pritzker Environmental Genius Award, Grist 50, and James Beard Leadership Award, among others. Her books, Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land (2018) and Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists (2023) are love songs for the land and her people. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@aprilnelson8493]

Sister-friend, I am honored to call you my co-teacher and will forever be inspired by your unwavering passion and energy. Peace and happy trails!

[@user-jg1rk1db4l]

Very awesome video! Inspiring me to get back to the land like my grandparents and those before them. ✊🏿 I think land stewardship is something we’ve discarded in our modern society, and we can all benefit from better practices. Ashé and Amen!

[@kaylorado]

Beautiful!

[@ericrichardson8471]

Why hasn’t this gained more attention 😢

[@qflower4982]

What a great and informative video. No idea is really "new" its just brought forward. We cant forget our ancestors, their stories, their ideas. She did an awesome job and showing appreciation for those that walk before us.

[@ubee959]

one of the best talks i have heard.

[@feedomfreedomgrowers876]

Thank you for this lovely and inspiring talk!!

[@bluesage1528]

Found tears streaming down my face listening to you... We have to do lots of healing 🙏 I am 'white', but can relaate to every word. Extractive relationship with land. exploitation of land, water, people, animals, concentration of power and resources in a handful of people, 'ladlessness' of the majority... make my heart bleed. I am with you for regeneration and changing the relationship with nature. From explotaition tp sacred loving interaction. It's not about the colour. It's about capitalism and greed

[@nellb.2924]

Hope to participate in soul fire next year!

[@IamAhShah]

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuu for this Leah ❤

[@gregorymettakramer]

Powerful message spoken beautifully.

[@d.lowery4933]

It's a very good book anyone can read. I only found one chapter that just wasn't meant for me. Incredible information inside.

[@annelsosa1202]

Which book was it?