Emmy Carter

Summit Replay: Leah Penniman & Matthew Raiford

Emmy Carter
Summit Replay: Leah Penniman & Matthew Raiford

Today we’re bringing you an exciting replay of a rich conversation from the recent virtual assembly for the Eighth Annual Farm to School Summit with food and farming icons Leah Penniman and Matthew Raiford.  

Before we get started, a few Georgia Organics’ announcements! Mark your calendars! We’re celebrating farmers, virtually, on Thursday, May 27 for Georgia Organics’ Annual Awards! You can learn more at georgiaorganics.org/awards, this is a FREE member event celebrating all-star farmers in Georgia. And get ready to party for serviceberry season with Serviceberry Fest ATL on June 3! You’ll catch amazing chefs and beverage folks creating serviceberry-based bites and drinks...You’ll even catch ATL Foodcast guest host Quianah Upton with a Nourish Botanica pop-up! Get your tickets and details on Facebook, searching Serviceberry Fest ATL! 

We’re excited to bring you this rich conversation and Q&A between two paramount leaders in food sovereignty and farming. 

To kick this off, we have a quick intro by Georgia Organics’ Farm to School Director Kimberly Della Donna. She provides much-deserved credit to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the valuable sponsors who brought this 8th annual Summit to life, this time virtually! “The Summit is a celebration of spirit and ‘pandemic positives,’” says Della Donna.  

Leah Penniman is the Co-Director and Farm Manager of Soul Fire Farm in Petersburg, NY and author of Farming While Black. Matthew Raiford, the CheFarmer, is the owner and farmer of Gilliard Farms in Brunswick and the author of Bress 'n' Nyam. 

Their conversation centers around fostering a love of the earth and growing food in the young generation, the definition of food sovereignty, and beyond. They share a passion for practicing ancestral agricultural practices that honor the earth, regenerating the soil, and advocating for food sovereignty in their communities and beyond. Enjoy this thought-provoking and motivating conversation and Q&A. 

To learn more about Georgia Organics’ Farm to School work visit farmtoschool.georgiaorganics.org/. To learn more about about Soul Fire Farm, visit soulfirefarm.org/. To learn more about Gilliard Farms, visit gilliard-farms.com/.