Events

This lecture will explore the transformative initiatives of Soul Fire Farm and the Schenectady Greenmarket, focusing on their contributions to sustainability, business, and creating an equitable food system. Soul Fire Farm, an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm, is pioneering efforts to combat racism and promote food sovereignty through comprehensive programs such as BIPOC farmer training, youth workshops, and policy advocacy. Their mission intertwines justice, ecology, and healing, fostering a resilient agricultural community. Meanwhile, the Schenectady Greenmarket exemplifies a community-driven business model, operating a year-round farmers market with over 80 vendors and integrating anti-racist practices into their mission. By prioritizing BIPOC leadership and accessibility, they aim to engage and support diverse communities. Together, these organizations illustrate innovative approaches to sustainable businesses and community empowerment within the food system.

Suggested Pre-Reading:
Soul Fire Farm - Media Coverage

Speaker: Cheryl Whilby

Cheryl Whilby, Co-Executive Director of Communications & Development, (she/her) first discovered her passion for food systems during her senior year of undergrad. Through her studies, she deepened her knowledge in various food insecurity issues and became most interested in how these matters disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. Since moving to Albany, NY in 2016, Cheryl has spent her time finding ways to be more involved in her local food system and address food insecurity in the community. From 2016-2019, she coordinated the recovery of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, wholesalers, and other community partners for redistribution to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters as Capital Roots’ Squash Hunger Coordinator (Troy, NY). From 2018-2022, she served as Market Manager of Schenectady Greenmarket, leading initiatives centered on making the market more accessible and welcoming for Black and Brown communities. In 2023, she transitioned into an Executive Director role with the market to focus on building the market’s fundraising strategies to sustain the growing market’s food access programming and initiatives. She is also one of the 12 Black food system leaders who developed the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit in collaboration with the Farmers Market Coalition.