Family Farm Defenders celebrated two women for this year’s John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty award.
Let their stories inspire you.
Naima Dhore (pictured) began growing food for her family in small pots in their apartment window. With a keen desire to do more for her community, Naima’s Farm near Alexandria, MN began. The focus is on organic food production and education for the broader Somali/East African community. As an immigrant she knows the struggles that face black, indigenous, farmers of color, and in 2020 she helped found the Somali American Farmer Association (SAFA). Naima credits her food sovereignty success “to her ability to connect and maintain relationships with various people in her community—always being certain to remain humble in sharing resources to see everyone thrive and not just some.”
Heather Gayton launched ZanBria Artisan Farms near Friendship, WI as a simple roadside stand, bartering and selling produce. She eventually acquired a 20 acre farmstead and specializes in native, heirloom, and herbal crops. A cancer survivor, Heather believes strongly in “food as medicine.” She is also a leader in the Farmers of the Roche-Cri Watershed Group and a grower for the Grand Marsh food pantry.
You can see the zoom recording of the Dec. 10th Celebration here.