Land Justice & Liberation with Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm

For many Black Americans the land itself is the scene of the crime. That legacy of slavery has dramatically impacted the relationship that many Black Americans have with the land. 

Food and land justice activist Leah Penniman is working to change that.

A founder of Soul Fire Farm and the author of Farming While Black, Leah has made it her mission in life to reconnect Black and Brown people with the land. 

In this conversation Leah and I talk about not only how the legacy of slavery is still seen in connection to the land and land ownership but how to heal some of these wounds. From spending time working with the land, to reparations, to political advocacy Leah and I talk about where we are, where we want to be, and how we get there. 

About Leah:

Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol farmer, author, mother, and food justice activist who has been tending the soil and organizing for an anti-racist food system for25 years. She currently serves as founding co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York, a Black & Brown led project that works toward food and land justice. Her book is Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land. Find out more about Leah’s work at www.soulfirefarm.org and follow her @soulfirefarm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For a written transcript of this conversation go here.

Action Items:

1. Check out the Soul Fire Farm website where you'll find a ton of resources and action guides.
2. Look at the reparations map created by the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and Soul Fire Farm and find a project that connects with you and needs resources if you are able to make a financial contribution.
3. Pay attention to legislation that is happening around farmers and our food and get in touch with your representatives. As few as 20 contacts from constituents make a difference.

Resources:

Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land by Leah Penniman

Connect with Leah:

Soul Fire Farm

Farming While Black, the book 

Instagram

Twitter

Credits: 
Thank you to the National Liberty Museum for their production support.
Harmonica music courtesy of a friend.