Last week, we hosted our virtual skillshare, Impacts to SNAP/HIP for Farmers and Communities, with @CISA_food, highlighting why food incentive programs matter for families, farmers, and local economies Huge thanks to Clarissa & Jim for sharing their expertise. Watch the replay: youtu.be/IpFRv8vAIxI

On Dec 16, the BFF team came together to reflect on the milestones of 2025, celebrate big wins, and plant seeds—literally and figuratively—for the growth ahead in 2026 We closed the day at FIELDTRIP by Chef JJ Johnson, sharing great food, stories, and gratitude with our team and their families. 🤎✨

Happy Winter Solstice! ❄️ As the darkness grows, winter begins. Farmers use this time for indoor tasks, rest, and reflection on the past season. Follow their lead! Take moments to rest, reflect, and refine this winter. What goals did you nurture this year? Share your reflections below.

BFF is taking a holiday break from Dec 22rd to Jan 1st. Our offices will be closed, but our website remains open for info and donations. Thank you for your support! We'll be back on Jan 2nd, 2026. See you next year!

BFF joined a powerful panel at @MOFADorg BFF President, Olivia Watkins, spoke alongside fellow changemakers building regenerative, community-centered food systems. Grateful to @MOFADorg for creating space for this critical conversation on equity, financing, and the future of our food systems. 🌱

Black Farmer Fund and orgs like ours are crucial to fill in the gaps when the system not only fails us, but works against us. During this difficult time, BFF has continued our important programming, provided scholarships, responded to food business and agricultural emergencies, and more.

Farm School NYC, an urban agriculture education space is facing closure due to funding gaps. Many Northeastern QTBIPOC farmers started their journey at Farm School NYC. Now, the city could lose vital knowledge and support for new growers. Read on @nonprofitquarterly.org.web.brid.gy:

BS: Huge thanks to the Black Information Network, for including us in their recent article, “Giving Tuesday: Non-Profits to Support Today & Beyond”. Read the article here: www.binnews.com/content/2023...

Join us on Thursday December 11 from 3-4pm ET for Impacts to SNAP/HIP for Farmers and Communities virtual skillshare. Learn the importance of food incentive programs in local food and economy and how they are impacted by the current administration. Register at bit.ly/SNAPskillshare. #SNAP

BFF joined Buen Vivir Capital Institute in DC for an evening with social impact leaders and funders, including its founder Alicia Delia. The gathering highlighted a global-south centered vision for integrated, values-driven investing rooted in solidarity.

BFF will join a panel at the Museum of Food and Drink on Dec 11 at 7pm, moderated by author, @nancymatsumoto.bsky.social. Our president, Olivia Watkins, will speak alongside women leaders transforming food systems. Grab your tickets today: buff.ly/LRuGL0W

A special message from BFF’s co-founder and President, Olivia Watkins. To give to BFF this #GivingTuesday, head to bit.ly/give2bff. With your support we can reach our goal of $25,000 this end of year giving season, and continue to support our community. #wegotus

This #GivingTuesday, we ask that you consider contributing to Black Farmer Fund. This year has been difficult for our community, from government cuts to policies that work against us, and more. When the system fails — WE GOT US.

This month, BFF staff gathered in NYC for our annual strategic planning retreat. We welcomed our new team members, celebrated birthdays, and worked together to revise our Theory of Change. We are grateful for this time to grow and build together as we refine our processes that fuel our mission.

We held a presentation and special panel at the Shippan Point Garden Club meeting in Stamford, CT. Panelists, Xel Simone of Havah House and Marcellis Counts of Apian Industry shared their experience working with BFF and thoughts on the future of farming, land restoration, and community building.

Congratulations are in store for BFF Community Garden Fund recipient, Breukelen Houses on their presentation at the NYC Housing Authority Resident Climate Action Grants Showcase. 🎉 www.harlemworldmagazine.com/nycha-climate-exchange-housing-fund-host-resident-climate-action-grants-showcase/

BFF Co-founder, Olivia Watkins was a featured panelist at the #SOCAP25 Real First Movers: How Catalytic Capital Can Actually Take Risks workshop. We want to thank @socapglobal.bsky.social for inviting us to exchange knowledge with fellow impact investment leaders.

We had a great time at this year's Food Funded East! Our Impact Investment Associate, Savannah D'Orazio, was a judge for the Entrepreneur Showcase and Pitch Feedback Panel, where they met the next wave of farm and food innovators and learned how they are shaping the future of food

🌵🌱You are invited to join the Western Arid Grower Network, a free online community for small-scale veg growers in dry, extreme climates. 3 winter gatherings, speakers, farmer-to-farmer discussion, free & open to all! 1st session: Dec 8. ➡️Register: aridgrowers.org/speakers-topics

We traveled to the Finger Lakes for our second annual Investment Committee retreat. We discussed investment process updates, explored the Ithaca farmers market, learned how to cook Ghanaian cuisine. We are grateful for their work towards a thriving Black agricultural ecosystem.

Check out this article by News Channel 13, that features Taina Asili and her recent pilgrimage, Fever Pitch. In September, the artist and fellow collaborators walked 156.3 miles to raise awareness for climate justice and collective liberation. Read the article here:

Welcome Joshua Parkes, BFF's New Development Associate! 🎉 We're thrilled to have him on board as his experience in authentic relationship building and passion in community empowerment aligns with our values and mission. Learn more about Joshua and our team at www.blackfarmerfund.com/our-team1.

🚨FINAL OPPORTUNITY! Applications for the fall cycle of the BFF Rapid Response Fund are due TODAY! Up to $10k in emergency support and $50K for applicants affected by recent government funding freeze! 🚨Apply now: www.blackfarmerfund.org/rapid-response-fund #EmergencyAid

This month, we sponsored 9 Black food actors to join us at the 2025 Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference in Detroit, MI. The conference featured farm tours, workshops, and more! Huge thanks to Black Urban Growers for hosting such a powerful event. We are looking forward to next year!

⏰𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 & 𝗔𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱'𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟭 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸! ⏰ The fund provides up to $10k in direct financial assistance for emergency situations and up to $50k for applicants affected by the recent government funding freeze! Apply at buff.ly/P52MmGq

We held our 4th annual Celebrating Abundance in Autumn festival with partners, collaborators, and family at Rise and Root Farm. 🍁 The day was filled with farm activities, music, and of course delicious food. Thanks to all who made this event possible. 🎵: Pullen Park by Sarah the Illstrumentalist

Black Farmer Fund is seeking a full-time Senior Impact Investment Manager to oversee the underwriting, structuring, and management of our investment portfolio. Learn more and apply at buff.ly/RUrlWhK

Black Farmer Fund is seeking a full-time Senior Business Support Manager to oversee growth and the ongoing health of BFF's portfolio of farm and food businesses. Learn more and apply here at buff.ly/RUrlWhK

Check out Invisible Hands, Visible Burden: The Challenges of Undocumented Latinx Farmworkers, our last post for our Hispanic Heritage Month series. Learn the challenges immigrant farmworkers face and how you can support the many orgs working hard to improve their wellbeing and livelihood.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars - Food Funded East returns to New York City on Thursday, October 23rd! Join us for an inspiring day of connection, learning, and celebration of the people shaping a more sustainable and equitable food system. Register Here Today:

Upset over higher food prices, consumers are cutting back on purchases, stockpiling certain items or exploring more-affordable stores.

Last month, we held our 9th virtual skillshare, “Pollinators and Pesticides: Supporting Healthy Farms”. Hosted by pollinator expert, Caro Munoz Agudelo, we learned how to recognize pollinators and sustainable farming practices to create a pollinator friendly habitat. Watch here: buff.ly/WNGfozw

BFF had a blast at #ClimateWeekNYC, a world-leading global climate event that brings together changemakers to promote climate action. By connecting with climate forward leaders and orgs, we can build a future where Black food actors have the resources to nourish their communities and the land.

We are excited to share that our Business Support Director, Myra Marcellin, is stepping into a new chapter as Investment Director! We also extend our gratitude to Charles Wade for his leadership and dedication to our work during his time at BFF. Learn more: bit.ly/investmentbff25

Our team and fellow food actors traveled to Porter, Maine for our sixth Community Workday at LaFinca Cooperative! We helped the worker-owned cooperative with weeding and prepping beds while building relationships with each other and the land.

Join BFF at @socapglobal.bsky.social flagship event in San Francisco, October 27–29, for #SOCAP25—where the focus is on building trust, sparking deeper collaboration, and aligning capital with impact in more intentional ways. Learn more and register here: buff.ly/SqXSsAy

Farmers' markets are more than a cute outdoor space to shop, but an essential cornerstone of many communities. Our latest blog post highlights 9 Black farmers' markets whose community impact is far greater than your average supermarket.

Are you a business or investment expert with a passion for food justice? Help us advance equity in food and agriculture by joining our team! We are currently hiring for two new roles: Senior Impact Investment Manager and Senior Business Support Manager. Apply at www.blackfarmerfund.com/careers

Had an unexpected crisis that put you in a financial bind? Apply for the Rapid Response Fund! The fund provides up to $10k in direct financial assistance for emergency situations and up to $50k for applicants affected by recent government funding freeze! Learn more and apply: buff.ly/P52MmGq

Check out our first blog post for Hispanic Heritage Month, Undocumented Latinx Farm Workers: The Invisible Backbone of American Agriculture, where we dive into the impact that undocumented Latinx farm workers have on American agriculture and economy. Read more here:

Freshly restored from our summer break, the BFF team gathered in New York City for our 2025 Q3 Staff Meetup! The Investment team shared updates of the BFF Fund 2.0 process, we celebrated our President's birthday, and we completed for the best guacamole! 🥑

📣 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧📣 Farmer David and Veronica Haughton of Trinity Farm need your support to recover from a devastating house fire. Help us raise $100k to cover housing costs, medical bills, and more. Donate at bit.ly/trinityfarmrelief and spread the word! #TrinityFarmRelief

With 1 day left before the Celebrating in Abundance festival, we’re excited to give you a sneak peek of the farmers, food business owners, and artisans vending at our farmers market. Want to join us? Grab our last tickets here: buff.ly/Qe0Y4Qj 🎵: Reality by Chromonicci

Earlier this year, the Uptown and Boogie Healthy Project, a NYC non profit org that run farmers markets, CSAs, and workshops applied for the BFF Rapid Response Fund. Thanks to the gift, they were able to repair their greenhouse and continue their mission to improve food security in their community.

Happy Autumn Equinox! 🍂 Across cultures, the fall season is a time to celebrate the harvest and prepare the land for cooler weather and the shorter days ahead. Share in the comments below. What are your wins from past two seasons and what lessons will you carry forward in the autumn?

The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

Join us on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10:30 am - 3:30 pm for our Abundance in Autumn Festival as we honor the harvest, the wisdom, and the community that sustain our work. Learn more and register here at www.tinyurl.com/ABUNDANCEFEST25. #BlackFarmerFund #CelebratingInAbundance #Autumn 🍂

Discover how pollinators can improve crop yields, support long-term soil health, and more at our September skillshare, Pollinators and Pesticides: Supporting Healthy Farms on Thursday, September 30 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm EST! Register today at www.tinyurl.com/POLLINATORSKILLSHARE.

🎉 Congratulations to BFF's Sonja Lockhart, selected for the 2025-2026 Seeding Power Cohort! She will focus on collective learning, movement building, and more alongside regional food justice leaders to build equitable food systems in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.