Forty-three percent of U.S. farmland — nearly 388 million acres — is now farmed or co-farmed by women. Meet some incredible women who are stewards of their land and represent a bright future in North Carolina agriculture.
The focus of AFT’s Women for The Land program is to build momentum, foster relationships, develop trust, and expand our capacity to serve women producers, particularly Black women in the American Southeast with a focus on North Carolina and Kentucky. This program is working to address both gender and racial discrimination that women farmers and landowners often face when accessing financial, technical, and informational resources.
Carrie and Erin Martin (Mother + Daughter Team)
Footprints in the Garden, Mount Olive, N.C.
After Carrie Martin lost her job, she looked for a reprieve on her husband’s family farm, which had been in the family for 140 years. She then began working with a co-op to provide produce for Raleigh restaurants. Carrie and her daughter Erin, now her business partner, approach it as an agribusiness, noting that various skills – such as accounting, engineering and marketing – are needed to make the farm successful.
Linette (and Richard) Hewlin
4 Ever Vista Farm, Enfield, N.C.
Linette Hewlin’s family has been on their land for over 100 years, and teaching is a prominent value for them. As a demo farm, they host groups that want to learn more about running a farm and visit schools to teach children how to grow vegetables. Linette’s advice: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and connect to your resources; even when you’re experienced, you’ll always learn something.
Cheryl Alston
Founder of the Little Washington Growing Group
A former lifelong educator, Cheryl Alston founded the Little Washington Growers Group which is dedicated to providing access to fresh and pesticide free produce to her community in Goldsboro, NC. Cheryl is committed to sharing her passion with local youth in the Goldsboro community and educating kids about agriculture and basic food production.
Chana White
Native Brand Honey, Jamesville, N.C.
During her 15 years in healthcare, Chana White became concerned about the health problems in her community. She wanted to know where her community’s food came from, so she pivoted her work to agriculture and beekeeping. Chana feels a true connection to the land that has been in her family for generations and believes women farmers are nurturers of the land.
For regional connections with the Women for the Land program in the Southeast, please reach out to Nicole Gwishiri, Women for the Land Southeast Program Manager, American Farmland Trust at ngwishiri@farmland.org.
This storytelling work is made possible by American Farmland Trust’s partners at Seemore Meats & Veggies.
This article published on AGDAILY on behalf of American Farmland Trust.
