Black Farmer Fund

“Provisioning plots, manumission pools, cundinas, susus, cooperatives, quilting bees, potlucks, burial collections, barn raisings, bail funds, rent parties, giving circles – Black beneficence has gone by many names.” - Onika Abraham Lee For Black Philanthropy Month, BFF Board member Onika Abraham Lee invites us to explore the rich history of Black giving. From historic charities to modern collective fundraising practices, Black communities have always found ways to support one another. In her article, "The Helping Hand That is Your Own," Onika shares personal stories and historical insights into the power of Black Philanthropy. Discover how these acts of generosity have helped Black communities survive and thrive throughout generations. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/epYq8TCY #BlackPhilanthropy #BlackHistory #MutualAid #BFF

Black Farmer Fund will be taking a summer organization pause from August 26th to September 2. Our team will return refreshed and ready to continue our mission of supporting Black food actors and building a more equitable food system. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our supporters, partners, and the Black farming community for your ongoing commitment. Your support fuels our work. While our offices are closed, our website will remain accessible for information and resources. Please note that there may be delays in responding to inquiries and applications during this time. We will resume normal operations on September 3. We look forward to recharging and returning to work with renewed energy to continue our mission. #BlackFarmers #SummerBreak #OutofOffice #ClosedOffice

🍁Join us at our third annual Abundance in Autumn on September 20, 2024 at 10:30 am - 3:30 pm. 🍂 Hosted at Rise and Root Farm in Chester, NY, don’t miss out on your chance to get your hands on the land and eat a delicious meal cooked by Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders! ⁠ This event is open to BFF supporters, donors, partners, investors, friends, and family. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/e5uBx_BF #BlackFarmerFund #CelebratingInAbundance #Autumn #Community #RiseandRootFarm #Blackfarmers #Blackfoodbusinesses

After four years of transformative work, our Co-Executive Director, Melanie Allen, will be departing from Black Farmer Fund. Melanie's last day with us will be September 23rd, 2024. Since joining Black Farmer Fund, Melanie has played a pivotal role in our mission to shift power and make capital accessible to Black farmers and food businesses. With her leadership, we've grown from a small team of three to a dedicated group of fifteen, deployed over $138,660 through our Rapid Response Fund, provided $10,000 in community garden gifts and over 200 hours of technical assistance to our investees. We are deeply grateful for Melanie's vision, hard work, and the foundation she has helped us build. Although we will miss her dearly, we are excited for her next chapter as she continues to advance food sovereignty and justice through her new role at Liberated Food Funds. To read the full announcement and hear reflections from Melanie, our Co-Executive Director Olivia Watkins, and Board Chair Karen Washington, please visit our blog here: https://lnkd.in/eEvEGWDf #BlackFarmers #foodjustice #BFF #organizationalupdate #thankyoumel

We’re excited to announce that BFF is now on Facebook! Join us as we share updates on our work to support Black farmers and food business owners, inspiring stories from our community, and in-depth discussions about food justice and community wealth building. Be a part of our growing community and help us build a more equitable food system together. Follow us at https://lnkd.in/ey3abuDD #BFF #BlackFoodJustice #Facebook #community #foodsovereignty

Black August is a powerful time for reflection, education, and action in honor of Black political prisoners and freedom fighters. A cornerstone of observing this month is deep study of Black history and resistance movements. At BFF, we've been on our own journey of learning and growth through “Getting Grounded” sessions, our internal political education series. Every month, a staff member presents and leads a conversation on topics that intersect with our mission and work. We've delved into topics such as Afro Pessimism, Black community wealth building practices, cooperatives, the Haitian Revolution, land sovereignty, and more. Just like the freedom fighters who inspired Black August, we're committed to using our education to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more just food system. Join us as we reflect on the past and build a powerful future of food and liberation for all Black people. Want to study but don't know where to start? Check out our Historical and Archival section on the BFF Resource page here: https://lnkd.in/eFV9cmvr ⁠#BlackAugust #FreedomFighters #BlackResistance #BlackFarmers #FoodJustice #BlackFoodJustice #BlackAg #Education #Community #BFF

“While our histories are distinct, there are many parallels between how Black and Indigenous communities have experienced land theft and dispossession, redlining, and food apartheid [...]. With this recognition, our communities have been coming together in solidarity around deeply aligned visions, values, and strategies.” Check out our Co-Ed, Melanie Allen, and Common Future’s Manager of Direct Investments, Jamie Gloshay’s latest article in Non-Profit Quarterly: Reclaiming Land Ownership in Black and Indigenous Communities. The piece delves into the shared history of land dispossession faced by Black and Indigenous communities, examining its enduring consequences. It also showcases innovative investment strategies spearheaded by Black and Indigenous leaders. Rooted in ancestral wisdom, these approaches seek to reclaim land, enhance food security, and foster sustainable economic development within our communities. This article is part of NPQ’s Just Transition series, co-produced with Justice Funders. Read the article at www. https://lnkd.in/eFyzP68d #landback #foodsovereignty #landrecovery #funding #investment #racialwealthgap #foodapartheid #economicdevelopment

Building a successful farm business starts with understanding operations. Join us our next skillshare, Farm Operations: Tilling the Past, Tending the Future, on August 19th at 5pm ET. Hosted by DeVonne Jackson Perez, guest experts, Barrad and Andell of Triple J Farm, will explore best practices, community building, skill development, innovation, and problem-solving to help current and aspiring farmers thrive.⁠ The skillshare is hosted by a coalition of organizations, including Black Farmer Fund, Buffalo Go Green, Farm School NYC, Food for the Spirit NY and Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, and funded by USDA SARE. ⁠The aim is to increase financial and social sustainability and improve mental health, well-being, and community connections for Black Farmers Statewide and beyond. You don’t want to miss this conversation. Register today: https://lnkd.in/e_2EtBqW #farmlife #agriculture #blackfarmers #sustainability #skillshare #farmingcommunity

Our partner, Tagan Engel, featured in a Q&A article on the Yale School of Environment website. Tagan, a Resident Fellow at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, is a strong advocate for building a just food system. In the interview, Tagan delves into the importance of regenerative agriculture and its potential to create a more equitable and sustainable food system. This aligns perfectly with BFF's commitment to fostering a future where Black agricultural enterprises thrive. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/exerGCRe #regenerativeagriculture #foodjustice #Blackfarmers #sustainability #agriculture

“From its inception, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) was always about the way we harness our giving and community finance traditions to empower ourselves today while creating a better future for Black people everywhere” - Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland Created in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a global celebration and intensive year-round economic justice action campaign to elevate African descent giving and funding equity. By donating to BFF Fund 2.0, you are helping us build a racially just food system through investing Black agricultural and food businesses in the Northeast. With BPM’s 2024 theme being “Afro-Futures of Giving”, join us in shaping a future where health and wealth thrives in Black communities Together, we can create lasting change through community-led solutions. Learn how you can support BFF Fund 2.0 here: https://lnkd.in/ea-VrNCW #BPM2024 #BPM365 #AfroFuturesofGiving #BlackPhilanthropyMonth #BlackFarmers #BlackFood #Philanthropy