Hope Ostane-Baucom

In Mecklenburg County, NC, a grassroots network of farmers is reshaping local food systems through mutual aid, shared wisdom, and community power. Founded by Cherie and Wisdom Jzar, the Growers Network is redefining what it means to farm — together.

2025 Small Farmer of the Year award presentation recognizing Elvin and Madeline Eaton of Fairport Farms for their contributions to NC Agriculture.

From February 27 to March 1, 2025, the Kentucky Black Farmers Conference took center stage at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The conference provided a platform for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) farmers and marginalized agricultural communities to connect, share knowledge, and advocate for a more equitable food system.

Lewis, a 2024 recipient of a RAFI Infrastructure Grant, has been using his funding to build chicken coops, taking a critical step toward integrating livestock into his farm’s operations. His goal is to foster a regenerative farming system by utilizing chicken scratch and manure to naturally fertilize the soil, creating a closed-loop system that nourishes the land while producing fresh eggs for the community at an affordable price.