MISSION
The Persimmon Collective Fund is a practitioner-led mutual aid resource to support BIPOC Farmers and Land stewards in their on and off farm organizing efforts, uplifting their work, nurturing cultural technology, and reweaving the collective agrarian spirit of past, present, and future generations.
VISION
The Persimmon Collective Fund envisions well-resourced, regenerative, and thriving land-based BIPOC ecosystems where the wisdom of those who steward the land is heeded and honored.
working collectively
& cooperatively
integrity
land and farming as an organizing strategy
relational organizing
intergenerational learning
honoring heritage
& cultural practices
Since our beginnings, the Persimmon Collective Fund has relied upon a group of Farmer Advisors to help with the vision and implementation of the fund. These advisors also make up the review boards that make decisions on funding allocations for BIPOC Farmer Infrastructure grant resource opportunities. Our Farmer Advisors are multigenerational BIPOC farmers and land stewards from the states that we serve.
Initial Advisors
David Anderson, Cherokee Agricultural Company
Kirtrina Baxter, Soil Generation
Keisha Cameron, High Hog Farm
Michael Carter, Jr. , Carter Farms
Delia Dubon, Tierra Fértil
Kifu Faruq, Medicine Bowl
York Glover, Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association
Zel Hutcherson, Down By the River Farm and Art Collective
Bernard Obie, Abanitu Organics
Alsie Parks, SAAFON
Blain Snipstal, Earthbound Builders
Chana White, Native Brand Honey
01
LAND ACQUISITION
& RETENTION
02
DIRECT GRANTS
TO FARMERS & FARMER ORGANIZERS
03
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
Nikki Pressley
Director of Communications
& Farmer Initiatives
We are a group of farmers, organizers, parents and community members deeply committed to the Southern agrarian practices and preservation that undergirds the food and land justice movements. We combine our collective expertise in order to strategically center and support the farmers and land stewards that practice these values everyday. We lean upon these relationships with farmers and an understanding of their historical and contemporary needs (and worth) to guide and drive our work.
Taij Cotten
Farmer Brigade Coordinator &
Technical Support
Tahz Rufus Walker
Director of Farm and Land Initiatives
Laketa Smith
Director of Operations
Leila Zainab
Associate Director of Engagement
& Strategic Partnerships
