The Pasture Project is committed to regenerative agriculture. We support solutions that are not just economically and ecologically regenerative, but also those that are socially regenerative for farmers, food-chain workers, and the communities of businesses and individuals they support. To accomplish this, we must consistently and authentically act in a way that creates equity and justice for all people.
As healthy soil teaches us, vibrancy and stability come from a diversity of balanced relationships. Neglecting or abusing certain parts of the whole for the benefit of others is not sustainable – it creates an imbalance that is difficult to maintain and justify, often with compounding and cascading negative impacts. Repairing the imbalance is complex and takes time, but the process begins with naming the problem. Only then can we begin the journey of learning and change. Our communities depend on this same diversity and balance for their stability. Society has neglected and abused certain community members, particularly Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other people of color, to produce food. Both historically and currently, these community members bear the burden of institutional and interpersonal racism, which prevents us from having truly healthy, diverse communities. This must be named if we are to address the mistreatment and disproportionate violence that these communities have endured.
Our work will not be fully successful unless we welcome all people into the process of positive change. In this, we must face and counter the historic and current injustices that hinder freedom based on race. As such, the Pasture Project is committed to racial equity in all our work. We acknowledge that we do not have the answers but are committed to a process that denounces and condemns racism and injustice in all their forms. The Pasture Project commits ourselves alongside our Wallace Center colleagues to forging a path towards racial equity and justice through our work in building more equitable farming and food systems.
Through our Racial Equity Action Plan, we commit to better understanding and meaningfully incorporating racial equity into our administrative systems and projects to advance regenerative agriculture. We commit to listening to all members of our community, particularly those most impacted across the farming and food processing sectors. We welcome the perspectives and experiences of those who want to join us in this process of learning and creating positive change – regardless of expertise or experience. We are united in our belief that the path to economic, environmental, and social regeneration must be paved with justice and equity for all people.
Leveling the Fields: Creating Farming Opportunities for Black People, Indigenous People, and Other People of Color
This policy brief, written by Union of Concerned Scientists & HEAL Food Alliance, outlines five policy recommendations to increase farming opportunities for Black People, Indigenous people, and other people of color. If you’re interested in learning more about structural solutions to address racism and inequity in the food system, this is a great place to start.
Racial Equity Toolkit
This toolkit, compiled by National Young Farmers Coalition, is starting point, designed to help farmers organize around transformative learning and action. The toolkit includes basic background information about racism in the food system, guidance on how to have conversations about race, equity and justice with your community, and some further ideas for direct action.
