A group of West Michigan farmers want to ensure local land is accessible to growers of color. The initiative hopes to bring in $50,000 worth of support.
Land Access is among the top challenges facing farmers of color across the country.
The West Michigan Farmers of Color Land Fund is hoping to create change on the local level. The project has a fundraising goal of $50,000 which will be used to support Black Indigenous People of Color farmers in purchasing or keeping land ownership.
The goal is to increase opportunities to enter the industry for people of color who have been systemically pushed out over generations, as well as support local growers that experience difficulties maintaining or scaling their operations due to systemic barriers, but President of the fund, Alita Kelly says it goes much further.
“It’s about creating a network of people who have similar goals and bonding together and finding safety in being able to share each others experiences with one another, resources we come across together and really building this family.” said Kelly.
The project is still in its fundraising phase. Kelly says once it hits $50,000, the group will open applications to local farmers.