The World We Live In,
The World We Create
As a queer-led farm operating in the United States, we are pushing back against past and present oppression. We seek to make our collaborative a base for change, growing and celebrating a community of social and ecological love, diversity, acceptance and understanding.
Womxn, Agriculture and the World
70% of the world's food is produced by 70% of the world's farmers. The majority of those agriculturists are womxn of color, working three hectares or less. These brilliant, hardworking ladies are of diverse backgrounds, desires and needs. Some have inherited the gift of the green thumb from their mothers, grandmothers, ancestors. Some have returned to the touch of the star-spotted soil after generations away.
Our collaborative was launched with womxn-power, and many of our amazing crewmembers are carrying that legacy forward. We know there is more power in one little girl's hand than in the entirety of the U.N. World Food Programme.
Queer Ecology
Overlooked - and often suppressed - in industrial agriculture is the connection between the true self of the farmer and the true self of the farm. We are a safe space for folks of all genders and sexualities to grow. We recognize the beauty and interconnectedness of queer culture, healthy ecosystems, strong food systems and loving societies.
The natural world teaches us that diverse expressions of gender and sexuality are universal, a part of human and non-human cultures alike. We strive to produce public, intentional support of the queer agricultural community, and stand in solidarity with like-minded organizations.
A fun reminder that this world is abundantly queer:
At least ninety percent of scientifically-studied flowering plants have hermaphroditic, bisexual flowers. This means that these "perfect flowers" contain male and female reproductive organs. And then you've got ones that are sexually fluid, like the Dungowan Bush Tomato.
In over 450 species of animals, scientists have documented consistent same-sex intimacy, pair-bonding and parental activities. Birds, mammals, reptiles and insects regularly flaunt their boundless love.
Information borrowed from an excerpted chapter of Black Earth Wisdom by Leah Penniman.
Bringing BIPOC Forward
As white farmers in a county where 94% of the human population looks like, we do not know what it is like to be a BIPOC farmer.
But here's what we do know:
- Systemic, deliberate, racist policies have pushed people of color and indigenous peoples from their lands.
- Cultural genocide has led to the endangerment or loss of traditional, indigenous agricultural practices.
- Financial services and government assistance has been limited to primarily white, cis, male farmers.
- Less than one percent of farmland is currently owned by BIPOC farmers.
- Despite making up the majority of the industrialized agricultural workforce, farmworkers, who are primarily immigrants and people of color, have no rights or land access.
And there is a massive, powerful wave working to change this. Leaders such as Leah Penniman, Rowen White and Diana Saigulan are at the forefront of the movement for permanent re-structuring of the American food system.
Where does the BMC fit into all of this? The truth is, we don't know. But we want to stand in solidarity with BIPOC farmers, gardeners and food workers. We here can use our privilege to undo the harm caused by our ancestors to our fellow land-lovers. And we can start now.
Accessibility In Action
"Farming and gardening are some of the best ways someone with a disability can connect to the outdoors and nature. Having the right tools and an enthusiastic assistant are key to making this connection"
Ann Bennett
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, 28% of farmers and farmworkers operate with some sort of disability. These disabilities can include the inability to walk, blindness, difficulty hearing, cognitive difficulties and more.
At this time, the farm as a whole is not handicapped accessible. We see this as a serious gap in our ability to serve our greater community, and seek to rectify the situation. With the guidance of our founder, Ann Bennett we are designing methods to make regenerative agriculture an exciting option for all.
Our goals include, but are not limited to:
- Building wheelchair-accessible pathways through and within gardens.
- Making both farmhouses handicapped accessible, with entrance ramps and accessible bathrooms.
- Creating instructional signs and labels for those with memory impairment.
- Installing more gates, and improving existing gates and doors. This shortens the walk between animals and eases chore doing.
- Becoming relatively proficient in ASL, in order to increase communication and our ability to teach.
- Designing ergonomic and unusual tools for diverse users.
- Creating storage crates and bags lightweight and small enough for everyone to carry.
All of this takes time, but we are committed to making the universal need for good food something that is universally accessible.