On Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year, the fields of MysticPine Farm in Altavista, VA, buzzed with a beautiful display of unity and care as the RAFI Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) and the Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Co-op (MABFC) gathered for a Volunteer Brigade. This day wasn’t only about lending a hand but also about affirming a core belief that resonates deeply within the farming community — community care and mutual support.
Stephanie Miller, a dedicated and inspiring FOCN member and MABFC Board member, recently suffered an injury that slowed her down. But when a farmer in need calls, the community answers. Volunteers came together to build a deer fence to protect MysticPine Farm crops. RAFI organized gas stipends to ensure that volunteers could travel, emphasizing that nobody should be left out due to logistical concerns. Farm-fresh herbal beverages and pastries made with love and ingredients from MysticPine nourished the team as they worked.
After a couple of hours of fence construction, everyone gathered to rest and take in the beauty of the property. A tour around MysticPine Farm revealed the work done and the goals and dreams yet to come. There were experienced farmers with stories of resilience, beginner farmers learning with curious eyes, and friends who’d traveled miles to lend a hand. Volunteers plucked ripe persimmons from the trees, savoring the sweetness of the land they were helping to protect. In many ways, this day reminded everyone that farming is more than tending to crops; it’s about tending to one another. MysticPine Farm is a Black woman-owned farm, a testament to Black women’s persistence, strength, and spirit in agriculture. And on this day, it was held up and strengthened by a community that truly understands the beauty of shared efforts.
So, here’s to Stephanie, MysticPine, and every volunteer who showed up with their hands and hearts open. We know that this day was about much more than building a deer fence — it was a celebration of resilience, the land, and the power of showing up for one another. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible, and may our communities continue to grow strong, rooted in love and mutual support.