As an inspiring farm that is focused on minorities and food justice, this is a look into this amazing place that helps black women and queer farmers make the world a better place known at Fennigan's Farms.
Farming is something that developed thousands of years ago as humans began to control, grow, and domesticate plants and animals. This led to food security that was never seen before. Crops could be grown reliably, protein was plentiful, and the harsh hunting and gathering faded away into a thing of the past. Now, farming is so plentiful that it takes up about half of the total land in the U.S.
Each farm focuses on different crops or animals and provides a part of the whole food system that we've developed. Yet the current food systems of our world are still filled with injustices. People continue to live in poverty and remain malnourished in all countries of the world. Yet Fennigan's Farms is doing its part to change things for the better. Let's take a closer look at how Fennigan's came to be and why they're a leader in food justice and inclusiveness within the agriculture industry.
The Farm's Origin Story
Health education and the importance of eating a rounded diet with fresh produce and good food is plentiful. Yet healthy food is often more expensive than processed or mass-produced options. In the United States, about 37 million people are poor and thus cannot afford to eat healthy year-round. While millions of people go hungry at night, we are wasting about 40% of total food. This waste happens every step of the way, starting at the farm and continuing into transportation, markets, restaurants, and homes. The truth is that we have more than enough food to give everyone a healthy diet, yet what we're lacking is the access and resources to make it so.
Fennigan's Farms came to be in Detroit, Michigan, thanks to two incredible sisters. This farm and sustainable agricultural design team was created specifically to alleviate the issues of our food systems. Specifically, they "support the liberation of Black life and communities through food sovereignty and community-specific solutions." The way that they get us there is through their motto: "Grow, Teach, Build."
Why Food Justice
There's no doubt about it, everyone on Earth deserves to eat healthy foods and have access to affordable and plentiful options. Unfortunately, we're still far away from making this a reality. Fennigan's Farms decided to take action and take on this change themselves for their community.
The grow part of their motto is just as it sounds – they help you grow fresh produce. Instead of being a traditional farm that keeps all the growing to themselves, these sisters help others create a space for themselves, their neighbors, and the community. They not only design this and help you get started, but also provide tools and resources to continue this food autonomy and pave a path for a better future.
Teaching comes into play as well. Most people don't know much about growing food from the start, and this farm has your back. They also help educate you on what to do after your produce is ready to eat, whether that's preparing a delicious dinner or a series of healthy snacks. Our bodies are a sanctuary that we're stuck in for the rest of our lives, so it's important to treat these with respect and fuel them properly.
Finally, they end their mission with building. No matter where you are in the country, the team helps build sustainable centers that they call Fenn Farms. These spaces are special areas that are shared and rooted in agriculture, with profits going directly into the creation and development of these networks.
Growing, teaching, and building is the perfect trifecta for tackling this major problem head-on. There is no easy solution, yet the determination and dedication of Fennigan's and their team is nothing short of inspiring.
Deliberate Employment
To create and maintain a nontraditional farm, you have to be daring, courageous, and incredibly talented. The two sisters that founded Fennigan's are these and much more.
Amanda Brezzell is the CEO and co-founder with a background in Public Health and African American Studies. Her reason for creating the farm is to help forge communities that span boundaries and become resilient. Claire Austin is the Business Manager and co-founder who also hails from Detroit, Michigan. Her big thinking paved the way for this opportunity to begin and continue succeeding.
Being a minority women-owned business requires breaking down barriers and taking a road that is less traveled. This is a major reason why their success is so inspiring to everyone, but especially black women and queer farmers, that can also make a major difference in the way things work around the world. Amanda and Claire are living proof that just because something has worked a certain way for a long time, doesn't mean it can't be challenged and made better for the future. While they've accomplished a lot already, they're still as committed as ever to transforming as much of the industry and as many lives and communities as possible.
Key Takeaways
Fennigan's Farms is an inspiring farm that continues to redefine what a farm can be and bring food justice to the forefront of the conversation. Here are some key takeaways from their journey that you can apply to yours.
Human beings can accomplish more when we come together and share ideas, resources, and spaces to amplify each other in resilient communities.
While it may not be easy, it is possible to follow your passions and think outside the box to make the world a better place no matter where you're from, what you do, or what your dreams are.
Social and societal injustices exist in all aspects of life, and it is up to each and every one of us to play a part in making sure these are eradicated to create a better future.
As an inspiring farm that is focused on minorities and food justice, this is a look into this amazing place that helps black women and queer farmers make the world a better place known at Fennigan's Farms.
Farming is something that developed thousands of years ago as humans began to control, grow, and domesticate plants and animals. This led to food security that was never seen before. Crops could be grown reliably, protein was plentiful, and the harsh hunting and gathering faded away into a thing of the past. Now, farming is so plentiful that it takes up about half of the total land in the U.S.
Each farm focuses on different crops or animals and provides a part of the whole food system that we've developed. Yet the current food systems of our world are still filled with injustices. People continue to live in poverty and remain malnourished in all countries of the world. Yet Fennigan's Farms is doing its part to change things for the better. Let's take a closer look at how Fennigan's came to be and why they're a leader in food justice and inclusiveness within the agriculture industry.
As an inspiring farm that is focused on minorities and food justice, this is a look into this amazing place that helps black women and queer farmers make the world a better place known at Fennigan's Farms.
Farming is something that developed thousands of years ago as humans began to control, grow, and domesticate plants and animals. This led to food security that was never seen before. Crops could be grown reliably, protein was plentiful, and the harsh hunting and gathering faded away into a thing of the past. Now, farming is so plentiful that it takes up about half of the total land in the U.S.
Each farm focuses on different crops or animals and provides a part of the whole food system that we've developed. The current food systems of our world are still filled with injustices. People continue to live in poverty and remain malnourished in all countries of the world. Fennigan's Farms is doing its part to change things for the better. Let's take a closer look at how Fennigan's came to be and why they're a leader in food justice and inclusiveness within the agriculture industry.
The Farm's Origin Story
Health education and the importance of eating a rounded diet with fresh produce and good food is plentiful. Yet, healthy food is often more expensive than processed or mass-produced options. In the United States, about 37 million people are poor and thus cannot afford to eat healthy year-round. While millions of people go hungry at night, we are wasting about 40% of our total food. This waste happens every step of the way, starting at the farm and continuing into transportation, markets, restaurants, and homes. The truth is that we have more than enough food to give everyone a healthy diet, yet what we're lacking is the access and resources to make it so.
Fennigan's Farms came to be in Detroit, Michigan, thanks to two incredible sisters. This farm and sustainable agricultural design team was created specifically to alleviate the issues of our food systems. Specifically, they "support the liberation of Black life and communities through food sovereignty and community-specific solutions." The way that they get us there is through their motto: "Grow, Teach, Build."
Why Food Justice
There's no doubt about it, everyone on Earth deserves to eat healthy foods and have access to affordable and plentiful options. Unfortunately, we're still far away from making this a reality. Fennigan's Farms decided to take action and take on this change themselves for their community.
The grow part of their motto is just as it sounds—they help you grow fresh produce. Instead of being a traditional farm that keeps all the growing to themselves, these sisters help others create a space for themselves, their neighbors, and the community. They not only design this and help you get started, but also provide tools and resources to continue this food autonomy and pave a path for a better future.
Teaching comes into play as well. Most people don't know much about growing food from the start, and this farm has your back. They also help educate you on what to do after your produce is ready to eat, whether that's preparing a delicious dinner or a series of healthy snacks. Our bodies are a sanctuary that we're stuck in for the rest of our lives, so it's important to treat these with respect and fuel them properly.
Finally, they end their mission with building. No matter where you are in the country, the team helps build sustainable centers that they call Fenn Farms. These spaces are special areas that are shared and rooted in agriculture, with profits going directly into the creation and development of these networks.
Growing, teaching, and building is the perfect trifecta for tackling this major problem head-on. There is no easy solution, yet the determination and dedication of Fennigan's and their team is nothing short of inspiring.
Deliberate Employment
To create and maintain a nontraditional farm, you have to be daring, courageous, and incredibly talented. The two sisters that founded Fennigan's are these and much more.
Amanda Brezzell is the CEO and co-founder with a background in Public Health and African American Studies. Her reason for creating the farm is to help forge communities that span boundaries and become resilient. Claire Austin is the Business Manager and co-founder who also hails from Detroit, Michigan. Her big thinking paved the way for this opportunity to begin and continue succeeding.
Being a minority women-owned business requires breaking down barriers and taking a road that is less traveled. This is a major reason why their success is so inspiring to everyone, but especially black women and queer farmers, that can also make a major difference in the way things work around the world. Amanda and Claire are living proof that just because something has worked a certain way for a long time, doesn't mean it can't be challenged and made better for the future. While they've accomplished a lot already, they're still as committed as ever to transforming as much of the industry and as many lives and communities as possible.
Key Takeaways
Fennigan's Farms is an inspiring farm that continues to redefine what a farm can be and bring food justice to the forefront of the conversation. Here are some key takeaways from their journey that you can apply to yours.
Human beings can accomplish more when we come together and share ideas, resources, and spaces to amplify each other in resilient communities.
While it may not be easy, it is possible to follow your passions and think outside the box to make the world a better place no matter where you're from, what you do, or what your dreams are.
Social and societal injustices exist in all aspects of life, and it is up to each and every one of us to play a part in making sure these are eradicated to create a better future.
