Photo: The Laura Flanders Show, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Who She Is
Leah Penniman is a farmer, author, and food justice activist who cofounded Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York. She created programs to train new farmers and help communities gain better access to fresh, healthy food. Leah is the author of Farming While Black, a hands-on farming guide that also explores the deep history of African-heritage contributions to agriculture. Her work has earned her the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award and widespread recognition as a leading voice in making agriculture more inclusive and accessible.
Why She Matters
Leah Penniman demonstrates that farming is about more than growing food. It is about community, access, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table. Her career shows how a working farm can also be a training ground, a gathering place, and a force for positive change. She inspires young people to see farming as meaningful work that connects them to the land, to their communities, and to larger questions about how our food system works.
