At Doll's House Foundation, we are proud to highlight and support food security-drioven initiatives like Cultivating Justice. This multigenerational project is dedicated to empowering Connecticut’s next generation of farmers of color. With leadership from diverse age groups, Cultivating Justice focuses on teaching, organizing, and developing leadership among Black, Indigenous, and Latine People of Color (BILPOC) through farming, business development, and civic engagement.
Background
Connecticut's farming community presents a stark disparity: over 98% of registered farmers are white. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Census, which significantly influences the food and farm bill in Congress, only includes input from registered farmers. This exclusion leaves many communities vulnerable to food insecurity and systemic discrimination. Cultivating Justice emerged to address these inequities through a partnership among BILPOC-led farms, agribusinesses, and nonprofit organizations. The initiative centers on community-identified needs such as food security, land access, environmental justice, and power building.
Project Areas
Cultivating Justice operates several project areas aimed at increasing the number of BILPOC farmers, utilizing land for sustainable agriculture, and fostering civic engagement. These projects include:
Miller/Bridge Community Farm: In partnership with Middletown residents, Cultivating Justice supports local food needs and agribusiness development on city-leased land. The initiative features beehives, raised beds, and plans for a chicken coop, creating a space for community growth and empowerment.
Eggucation: This learning series covers essential topics like chicken-keeping and farming basics, offered at no cost to participants. Programs are youth-focused and include activities like fishing trips, farm visits, and beekeeping series, encouraging a deeper relationship with nature.
Civic Engagement + Community Organizing: Recognizing the systemic racism faced by BILPOC communities, Cultivating Justice offers training in civic engagement and community organizing. Participants learn how to shape and participate in decisions impacting their lives, working towards a more equitable and just future.
Get Involved
The Doll's House Foundation encourages our community to support and engage with Cultivating Justice. This initiative embodies the perseverance, empowerment, and parity that we champion. For more information, contact program manager Diana Martinez at diana@katalcenter.org or follow them on Instagram @cultivatingjusticect.
For the rest of the year, our focus is on the organizations that are changing the landscape of food security in Connecticut. We want you to celebrate with us by attending our banquet and fellowshipping with purpose!
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