2 minute read
MEET A FARMER
CHRISTA BARFIELD
Urban farmer, entrepreneur, 2024 James Beard Award winner, Rodale Institute board member
RIJ: What inspired you?
CB: My degree is in health care administration, and I worked for multiple hospitals and practices for 10 years. One day I just resigned, took a trip to Martinique, got off that plane, and met Black farmers for the first time. I came back home and five days later started a farm. Black and Brown people are stigmatized and bruised in a sense by farming because of how it has existed in our past. But farming is a part of our heritage.
RIJ: What are your priorities?
CB: Fresh, organic food is not a privilege; it is a human right. Marginalized groups have the poorest health outcomes and the highest rate of gun violence. In the face of these issues, each compounded by systemic racism, urban agriculture is a vector of hope. Access to healthy food, environments bettered by healthy soil and crops, and a community built around local farms can revitalize urban communities.
RIJ: What are the keys to your success?
CB: We lean in to the importance of educating people and educating ourselves on how we can serve people the best. We’ve developed an agriculture business incubator, food and farming programs for local schools, and community classes on topics like gardening and cooking.
RIJ: What is most rewarding to you about being a regenerative organic farmer?
CB: When you watch the soil become healthier, see pollinators returning, and share vibrant, nutrient-dense produce with people, there’s a real sense of fulfillment.
RIJ: How is your work as a regenerative organic farmer impacting people beyond the food on the plate?
CB: I like to tell people that “agriculture is the culture.” We’re not just feeding people; we’re educating them, providing them with tools, and creating spaces where they can reconnect with nature. By using regenerative practices, we’re inspiring others to think about the broader impact of agriculture on their culture, well-being, and future.
