To round out the summer season, club members and guests had a fascinating tour of Providence Farm Collective. PFC is the only non-profit in Western New York that directly empowers beginning agriculture and farming entrepreneurs through access to rural farmland, farming and business education, technical assistance, markets, and the opportunity to farm for income, all while passing important farming and cultural traditions down to younger generations. Executive Kristin Heltman-Weiss shared with members this message:“The story of Providence Farm Collective (PFC) began over 20 years ago when the Somali Bantu community sought access to farmland to grow the foods they had once enjoyed back home. This desire sparked a grassroots movement aimed at reconnecting people to the land and empowering them to cultivate the foods they love. However, the Somali Bantu faced significant barriers, as they lacked the necessary networks to secure farmland. Despite their deep-rooted agricultural knowledge and skills, they struggled to bring their expertise to life due to these obstacles.
In 2019, the formation of Providence Farm Collective marked a pivotal moment, not only for the Somali Bantu, but also for seven other diverse communities. United by our shared vision of creating equitable access to food and farmland, we came together to work across sectors and build a community. This collective effort led to remarkable strides, with farmers returning to the land to grow food for themselves and for the entire Western New York region. In 2023, we reached a significant milestone when we purchased our land, providing our farmers with greater agency and self-sufficiency. Owning the land meant we could invest with confidence, no longer fearful of putting our resources into something we would never truly own. This year, we closed an important chapter in our journey by completing the construction of a new barn and facilities—a symbol of the hard work and dedication that has brought us to this point. Our barn represents not only the culmination of our efforts, but also the beginning of a new phase of possibilities for our farmers and community. As we reflect on the progress made since the inception of the Somali Bantu Community Farm, we are filled with immense gratitude and pride. The achievements of the past year stand as a testament to the hard work and determination of everyone involved.”PHOTO: Hamadi Ali, Deputy Executive Director and Kristin Heltman-Weiss, Executive Director of PFC