Between 2023 and 2024 we worked with 3 BIPOC farmer collectives to source philanthropic funding, coupled with non-extractive lending to help farmers secure land.
We are continually looking for innovative and efficient ways to help BIPOC farmers become long-term land stewards while protecting land for agricultural use.
We understand that farm and land infrastructure is a key area of support to helping farmers scale production and helping land stewards stay rooted on land. This year we expanded our grants to resource more BIPOC farmers. Projects included: dry or cooling storage for crops, fencing, seed saving tools, repairing farm housing, expanding or adding utilities as well as farm labor.
In the Spring and Fall of 2024, we had brigades on seven separate farms in the North Carolina Piedmont. This gave us an opportunity to support our own local ecosystem and fellowship with farmers during a day of on-farm work. Brigades will continue in the 2025 as farmers prepare for the Spring farm season.
In early Fall of 2024, Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeastern US and left communities from Tampa, FL and Augusta, GA to the Western NC mountains devastated and in dire need of support. Persimmon worked with partners and supporters to mobilize emergency relief funding for affected BIPOC farmers, land stewards and organizers, many of whom were previous grantees. In addition, Persimmon joined SAAFON in supporting on-farm clean up after the storms.
