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SUMMARY:From the Ground Up: Finance and the Future of Regenerative Agriculture | Film Screening and Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Co-hosted by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and Croatan Institute \n\n\n\nJoin us for a virtual double-feature film screening and conversation exploring one of the most pressing questions in food and agriculture today: how do we finance the transition to regenerative systems at the scale and speed this moment demands? \n\n\n\nThis joint screening features excerpts of the film Digging In from the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders and Soil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture from Croatan Institute. Together\, these films illuminate the opportunity in regenerative agriculture to restore soil health\, strengthen rural economies\, and build climate resilience. They also expose a shared tension: while regenerative practices are proven and growing\, capital structures have not kept pace. \n\n\n\nFollowing the screenings\, a moderated panel with funders\, investors\, and field leaders will examine the role of transformative finance in unlocking this transition. We will explore how grantmaking\, investing\, and lending can move beyond short-term risk frameworks to support long-term stewardship\, farmer viability\, and community wealth. The conversation will share practical insights on what is working\, where capital is still misaligned\, and how funders can collaborate to close critical financing gaps. \n\n\n\nThis event is designed for philanthropic and investment leaders who are: \n\n\n\n\ncurious about a just\, democratic\, and sustainable food and agriculture system;\n\n\n\ngrappling with how to deploy non-extractive capital more effectively;\n\n\n\nseeking peers committed to aligning finance with ecological and social outcomes\n\n\n\n\nWhether you are already funding in this space or exploring your next steps\, this screening and discussion offers a grounded entry point into why regenerative agriculture needs new financial tools and why the time to act is now. \n\n\n\n\nRecording\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQ&A\n\n\n\n\n“What financial tools are most effective and where are the gaps?”\n\nBridge loans\, often secured by private or public program awards or contracts. For example\, USDA NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Bridge Loans or bridge loans that help farmers take advantage of “cost-share\, reimbursable” grants that require spending money and implementing practices before they can receive their awards.\n\n\n\nLoan guarantees that help de-risk loans\n\n\n\nLoans with flexible terms\, such as unsecured loans in general and unsecured land loans in particular. Lower interest rate loans\, lower or no closing costs or hidden fees (pre-payment or servicing)\, longer repayment periods\, low-to-no repayments in early years. Simple interest rate loans that are not amortized using daily compounding.\n\n\n\nEffective gap filler: Forgivable/convertible recoverable grants (effectively a 0% loan\, convertible into a grant upon certain progress)\n\n\n\nConservation easement funds to purchase development rights are limited\, highly competitive\, and often dependent on the USDA with exceptionally long timelines. We need more flexible\, rapid-response philanthropic easement funding\, but the easements also need to have restrictive regenerative covenants. Not just preserving farmland or forests but ensuring they are moved out of “conventional” production. This is a major gap.\n\n\n\nLand acquisition financing is a major gap. Many lenders and investors will not finance raw farmland and forests without unaffordable down payments. Hence the need for the Resilient Southern LAND Fund and other similar strategies in other parts of the country.\n\n\n\nLow-interest\, patient capital with flexible terms is highly effective because it allows farms to retain value and manage seasonal variability. The biggest gaps are in pre-development support\, like financial cleanup\, modeling\, and deal structuring\, and post-close support to work with farmers on ongoing financial management. Without subsidy\, that work either doesn’t happen or those costs get pushed onto farmers who are least able to absorb them.\n\n\n\n\n\n“I’m curious if folks have sought a loan with their Farm Credit Association and what was the outcome?”\n\nYes\, generally\, if you have a good credit score\, or solid\, multi-year farm financials with P&L and Balance Sheets\, one can qualify for local FCA operating or farm construction loans. Generally\, these are costlier: PRIME + 1% for very good credit\, with relatively high closing costs. A member does\, however\, benefit from an annual patronage dividend\, depending on the ACA’s net profitability — which effectively subsidizes the cost of capital.\n\n\n\nFCA mortgages can be good options for financing acquisition of a farm that serves as a primary residence. The cost of mortgages is much more competitive\, vs. operating loans. However\, FCA loan officers will get into your business and potentially steer one’s operation away from certain activities (e.g.\, dairy) toward added-value production\n\n\n\n\n\n“What factors or practices that FoodShed Capital\, Croatan and presenters are using for  “regenerative agriculture\,” and specifically if  eliminating or reducing pesticides and chemical fertilizers is included along with soil health practices?  Also\, are socio-economic factors such as equity and worker/farmer health included in the interpretation of regenerative?”\n\nAt Croatan Institute\, we aim to meet growers where they are\, but we do strongly encourage eliminating synthetic chemical inputs and\, if the grower has capacity and relevant markets\, to consider Organic certification. We provide an expansive conceptualization of “regenerative agriculture” in our flagship 2019 paper “Soil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture across Asset Classes” (pp. 2-4): “Instead of simply avoiding further degradation and depletion\, regenerative agriculture aims to work with natural systems to restore\, improve\, and enhance the biological vitality\, carrying capacity\, and ‘ecosystem services’ of farming landscapes. Regenerative farming operations also aim to support the resilience of the rural communities and broader value chains in which they are situated.” This is a much more expansive conceptualization of regen. ag. than that of “carbon cowboys” — one that takes farmer livelihoods and equity explicitly into consideration.\n\n\n\nAkiptan: The primary regenerative practices we encourage through our direct TA with farmers and landowners are rooted in long-standing agroecological and agrarian traditions (Indigenous\, Black\, and smallholder)\, including soil health-building strategies associated with cover cropping\, reduced tillage\, diversified rotation and other diversity-enhancing practices\, re-introduction of fire on the landscape through prescribed burning and biochar\, applying natural sugars\, mulch\, and other carbon sources to the soil\, introducing trees and other perennials across the farm landscape (agroforestry interventions such as hedgerows\, windbreaks\, alleycropping\, silvopasture\, riparian borders\, and forest farming in the understory)\, planting native pollinator strips and habitat corridors\, more intensively managed grazing of livestock with high animal welfare standards\, native grassland restoration\, and more naturalized forest management.\n\n\n\nAt RBI’s Free Union Farm\, several of these practices are being pursued\, including transitioning away from conventional monocultural farming and forestry practices (GMO commodity grains\, clearcutting loblolly pine plantations) into a more diversified operation\, with the discontinuation of all synthetic chemical spraying and fertilizing\, the transformation of the woodlands through selective thinning and prescribed burning into silvopasture for agroforestry hog production\, the revitalization of an historic pecan grove using organic methods\, and the development of an on-site native nursery to increase biodiversity.\n\n\n\nFoodshed Capital: Regenerative agriculture\, as we define it\, centers on small- to mid-scale farms using soil-based\, diversified systems that continuously improve ecosystem health: building soil\, supporting biodiversity\, and contributing to climate resilience while reducing harmful inputs. It also extends beyond ecology to include social and economic resilience\, equitable food access\, and food sovereignty. A better food system\, one that heals the land\, nourishes people\, and creates resilient communities\, depends on the ability of local farms to stay in business feeding their communities. When that happens\, those farms have the time and stability to deepen the regenerative practices and community connections that climate solutions depend on.\n\n\n\n\n\n“As a funder very new to the Regen Ag space but excited by the opportunities\, what is the best way to channel charitable dollars to catalyze the existing work of so many great orgs on this call and elsewhere?”\n\nBe sure to seek mission-related investing opportunities as you determine your grantmaking strategy. Put your cash in rural ag banks or credit unions that finance resilient food systems. Invest in CDFI and impact loan funds. Allocate equity capital to regenerative farmland and forestland funds. Even public market investments can be mobilized to divest from extractive food and ag value-chain companies and invest in more sustainable alternatives. SAFSF\, TIFS\, and FORA are just a few of many great philanthropic networks for learning about mission-aligned investment opportunities.\n\n\n\nCatalytic philanthropy has a huge role to play\, particularly in the context of the public funding crisis at USDA. Many organizations have been hit directly by federal shifts in funding priorities\, freezes and terminations\, away from explicit “climate” and “DEI” related regenerative agricultural initiatives. Provide general operating support to organizations deeply involved in this work to give them the flexibility and operational and overhead capacity that restricted project or programmatic funding simply does not provide. And even when government funding can be tapped\, the restrictions against overhead and advocacy are challenging.\n\n\n\nSome of the most catalytic work is happening at the margins. Supporting pilot projects that are often fiscally sponsored is a great way to start. At Croatan Institute\, we have fiscally sponsored numerous regenerative\, agroecological projects\, including RBI’s Free Union Farm Sustainability Hub.\n\n\n\nSupport grassroots\, community- and place-based initiatives as an agroecological alternative to large incumbent organizations (such as land grant universities\, which as a matter of course receive huge allocations of funding from USDA and state agricultural agencies). Nonprofit food hubs\, nonprofit technical assistance providers\, smaller conservation organizations\, regenerative mutual aid initiatives\, community-based rural development organizations\, regional value-chain groups working on fiber\, food systems\, and forestry are great examples.\n\n\n\nFinancing land access and land-back initiatives is extremely important\, particularly with Indigenous groups\, as well as other underserved farmers of color that have experienced land dispossession and small family and community-based farming initiatives that face unaffordable land valuations. Follow-on infrastructure and land improvement funding\, as well as farm operating capital\, become even more critical following land acquisitions.\n\n\n\nFoodshed Capital: Consider an integrated capital approach that combines impact-first investments with grant funding. Mission-driven food funders rely significantly on both. Impact-first investments are integral to supporting farmers with as low-cost financing as possible while preserving return-of-capital expectations. Grant funding further supports the non-profit mission of advancing food system transformation without erecting cost barriers for farmers\, while also allowing non-profits to build and maintain the capacity they need to deliver programming.\n\n\n\nLong term PRI\, gen ops grants to support the deployment of the dollars\, hands off/partnership approach\n\n\n\n\n\n\nResources\n\n\n\nCroatan Institute \nResources page! \n\n\n\nSoil Wealth program page provides an overview of our many collaborative initiatives that support financing regenerative farming\, food\, forestry\, and fiber value chains. \n\n\n\nTo see investable opportunities across asset classes\, check out RAISER Food and Ag Investment Database\, housed at Croatan Institute’s Lab for Impact Finance. \n\n\n\nIn the Soil Wealth film\, we learned about the Farm Credit System which is failing to serve the people it is designed to serve. Learn more in our Credit Worth and Soil Wealth ESG analysis of the Farm Credit System \n\n\n\nFARMWISE Hub – A new national Financial Health Learning Cohort with bilingual office hours starts this week. Please share with organizations supporting land stewards to access this free resource.  \n\n\n\nLearn more about the Resilient Southern LAND Fund\, a joint venture of Rural Beacon Initiative and Croatan Institute\, which was just selected for the The 2026 Transformative 25 list of funds transforming the economy for social\, environmental\, and economic justice. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSAFSF:\nJoin us for the SAFSF Forum in Savannah\, Georgia! \n\n\n\nLearn more about membership and join our network of 120+ member organizations including foundations\, impact investors\, community development finance institutions\, funding collaboratives\, and re-granting organizations. Schedule time to connect here. \n\n\n\nLearn more about the Indigenous Food Systems Community of Practice\, offered with First Nations Development Institute to deepen understanding\, effectiveness\, and relationships with Native American communities\, Tribes and Native-led organizations. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWilliam Barber III\n\n\n\nCEO\, Rural Beacon Initiative\, LLC.\nWilliam J. Barber III currently serves as the Director of Equitable Investment and Energy Justice at the Coalition for Green Capital and the CEO of Rural Beacon Initiative\, LLC.  Possessing over a decade of social justice organizing experience and deep academic training in the history\, science\, and law behind environmental and climate issues\, William is committed to connecting policymakers\, grassroots leaders\, faith leaders\, and corporations to ensure we are collaborating on climate solutions that are equitable for all. \n\n\n\nBarber’s background includes extensive experience as a social justice organizer and environmental justice advocate\, working with the North Carolina NAACP\, the Poor People’s Campaign\, the Climate Reality Project\, and numerous other organizations. Barber’s work focuses on increasing the self-determination of communities through responsible finance. With a bachelor’s in Environmental Physics from North Carolina Central University\, and a J.D. in Environmental Law and Policy from UNC School of Law\, Barber also sits on the board of the Croatan Institute.  \n\n\n\nAs CEO of Rural Beacon Initiative\, LLC\, Barber has collaborated with Croatan Institute to acquire a farm in the historic Free Black community of Piney Woods\, NC\, using innovative financing in partnership with Foodshed Capital.  \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkya Ducheneaux\n\n\n\nExecutive Director\, Akiptan (CDFI)\nSkya Ducheneaux is the Executive Director of Akiptan and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She spent her first 18 years of life on a cattle ranch on the CRST Reservation in South Dakota. She then pursued a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Administration while working at a county FSA office and buffalo meat processing plant. After returning home to work for the Intertribal Agriculture Council\, she was tasked with creating the first Native CDFI dedicated to serving Native Agriculture producers all across Indian Country. Akiptan began lending in January of 2019 and has grown rapidly over the years. \n\n\n\nIn addition to Akiptan\, Skya has served on many advisory committees and is currently the Board Chair of the Mountain Plains CDC. In her role as Executive Director\, she is a part of several CDFI coalitions\, advocates locally and federally and presents at conferences to share the mission of Akiptan.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIndy Brahm\n\n\n\nChief Operating Officer\, Foodshed Capital\nIndy joined in January 2020 as Foodshed’s first formal employee. She has played an integral role in designing and refining our loan process\, while collaborating with other staff as the organization has grown to embed business support services into our process. She continues to take the lead on our operational strategy as we expand lending and business support to new regions. \n\n\n\nWhile completing her degree in Global Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia\, Indy worked as a Senior Associate at the Charlottesville Angel Network (CAN). There she gained experience vetting potential investments and working with companies on their business models. Indy worked previously at the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council\, managing educational programming and assisting with operations as the Deputy Director. \n\n\n\nDuring the spring of 2018\, Indy spent 5 months studying Spanish language and culture in Cordoba\, Argentina and is now fluent in Spanish. After graduating from UVA in May of 2019\, Indy set out for the cloud forests of Northern Ecuador for three months with two colleagues and $21\,000 in grant funding. There she worked with provincial governments\, NGOs\, and community stakeholders to support sustainable development and economic alternatives to open-pit mining. This included creating and instituting a US-Ecuador small farm coffee trade relationship\, negotiating the purchase of equipment for a women’s plantain flour cooperative\, and establishing an ongoing partnership with UVA’s global studies department. From 2021-2023\, Indy honed her farming skills by volunteering weekly at Real Roots Food Systems in Richmond. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristi Electris\n\n\n\nExecutive Director & Co-founder\, Croatan Institute \nChristi Electris is the Executive Director and co-founder of Croatan Institute\, a research and action institute working at the intersections of food\, fiber\, forestry\, and finance. She has done consulting and research on a variety of environmental and social issues\, including projects on energy\, climate\, agriculture\, well-being\, sustainability indicators\, and corporate redesign. A computer scientist and quantitative policy analyst by training\, she has designed policy scenario analyses with environmental and social impacts. While at Tellus Institute\, she analyzed company practices and policies in worker equity at large public and private food and agriculture companies\, helping develop a new framework for social and environmental impact investing across asset classes\, known as Total Portfolio Activation.  \n\n\n\nAt Croatan Institute\, she regularly contributes to the thematic application of the Total Portfolio Activation framework to the Institute’s work on sustainable food and regenerative agriculture. Christi is a trained Climate Reality Leader\, and also serves on the CDFA Food System Advisory Council. She is based in Brookline\, Massachusetts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Films\n\n\n\nDigging In\nDigging In\, created by Nathan.works and co-produced by Sustainable Agriculture & Food System Funders with support from Vatheur Foundation\, focuses on the US agricultural system and who controls our food and farmers. The documentary focuses on the challenges presented by land access (and a lack thereof)\, industry consolidation\, and climate change. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSoil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture\nSoil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture\, produced with support from Patagonia and Waverley Street Foundation\, features farmers and capital providers Croatan Institute has partnered with over the years to demonstrate effective\, community-led solutions for funding the future of sustainable economies.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/from-the-ground-up-finance-and-the-future-of-regenerative-agriculture-film-screening-and-discussion/
CATEGORIES:Digging In Film
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260506T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260506T123000
DTSTAMP:20260522T195357Z
CREATED:20260403T193154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T195357Z
UID:10000764-1778065200-1778070600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Part 2 — Unlocking Land\, Equity\, and Climate Opportunity: Lessons from the Mobile Basin Heirs’ Property Initiative
DESCRIPTION:This two-part webinar series\, featuring leaders at the Center for Heirs’ Property (CHP)\, Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ)\, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF)\, will take a deep dive into the topic of heirs’ property as a land title issue and how addressing heirs’ property–through education\, technical assistance\, and legal support–unlocks opportunities for productive land use and opportunities for wealth creation. Heirs’ property is a widespread issue affecting family-owned land across the United States and represents a significant portion of land in the South\, including forests. It disproportionately affects certain communities\, including low-income and Black communities\, due to historical barriers to clear title. Addressing heirs’ property is a critical step in strengthening land tenure\, enabling productive land use\, and supporting the goals of Black Agrarianism. Part 1 covered the original model developed by CHP and its pilot replication/adaptation. \n\n\n\nPart 2 will continue with a focus on how the Mobile Basin Heirs’ Property Support Initiative (MBHPSi) is being implemented on the ground through a network of legal and land-use partners in Mississippi and Alabama. Participants will share how they support landowners—addressing heirs’ property through legal support\, education\, and technical assistance\, while also advancing forestry and agricultural land use where appropriate. The session will highlight how organizations with distinct roles collaborate through a referral-based approach to deliver coordinated support. You are welcome to attend Part 2 even if you could not attend Part 1. \n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndrea’ Barnes\n\n\n\nDirector\, Heirs’ Property Campaign\, Mississippi Center for Justice\nAndrea’ Barnes is a native of Mississippi and an accomplished attorney\,leader\, and public servant. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tougaloo College\, a Master of Business Administration from Jackson State University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School ofLaw. Andrea’s is licensed to practice law in Mississippi. \n\n\n\nAndrea’ currently serves as the Director of the Heirs’ Property Campaign forthe Mississippi Center for Justice\, a non-profit public interest law firm. TheHeirs’ Property Campaign is dedicated to providing legal assistance and community education to families around the state. The Campaign’s mission focuses on helping families preserve ownership of their land and maintaintheir family legacy for future generation. \n\n\n\nPrior to joining the Center\, Andrea’ practiced family law\, estate and probateadministration\, and personal injury litigation. Her professional experiencealso includes service as a law clerk with the Circuit Court of Hinds County\, Mississippi\, a prosecutor with the Hinds County Attorney’s Office\, and as Public Records Officer and Staff Attorney for the Mississippi Department ofCorrections. \n\n\n\nIn addition to her legal practice\, Andrea’ has contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at Tougaloo College\, where she instructed aspiringlawyers in litigation and trial practice. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Spencer Perkins Center for Reconciliation and CommunityDevelopment\, further demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and reform. \n\n\n\nAndrea’ is actively involved in numerous professional organizations and associations\, including the Mississippi Bar\, Magnolia Bar\, Metro BlackWomen Lawyers Association\, among others. She has received multiple accolades and recognition from both the profession and community. \n\n\n\nAs an entrepreneur\, businesswoman\, and attorney by training\, Andrea’ is widely regarded as a servant leader whose life and work reflects a steadfast commitment to faith\, integrity\, and justice. \n\n\n\nIn her spare time\, Andrea’ enjoys spending quality time with her family\, gardening\, and traveling. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFreddie Davis\n\n\n\nRural Training and Research Center Director\, Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund\nFreddie Davis III serves as the dedicated Director of the Rural Training and ResearchCenter at the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund in Epes\, Alabama. With over twenty years of experience as a registered forester\, he is committed to addressing urgent forestry issues at the nexus of social\, environmental\, and industrial considerations across rural and urban sectors. Mr. Davis takes considerable pride in his work in his home state of Mississippi\, striving to establish and strengthen forestry connections for rural and urban landowners. \n\n\n\nOriginally from Sturgis\, Mississippi\, Director Davis graduated in Forestry fromMississippi State University. He has over 20 years of experience as a RegisteredForester and is a certified arborist. With more than ten years of forestry management and procurement experience at two Fortune 500 companies\, he is dedicated to fostering partnerships with community\, public\, and private organizations to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. His work makes him a driving force for change in forestry and environmental conservation. Freddie’s work guarantees that nonindustrial private forests prosper for future generations\, maintaining a balance between economic and ecological goals. \n\n\n\nFreddie’s mission: Making forest land ownership financially feasible for smallnonindustrial private landowners. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDeron Lacey\n\n\n\nForestry Consultant\, Limited Resources Landowner Education Assistance Network (LRLEAN)\n\nIn 2021\, Deron joined LRLEAN as a Forestry Consultant. Since then\, Deron has been traveling across Alabama\, advocating for forest stewardship and its crucial role in land retention. His experiences in forestry began on his family’s 200 acre farm in rural Fayette County Alabama\, working with his family to plant\, care for and harvest timber. He worked with the Alabama Forestry Commission for over two decades\, fighting wildfires\, working with volunteer fire departments and helping landowners with the practical management of forested property. That experience gave him the confidence to work with all landowners throughout the state of Alabama and gave him a lot of the tools necessary to envision how forestry\, properly done\, can support families and also expand the forest industry. Outside of work\, he is passionate about mission work and volunteering. His personal interests include foraging\, hiking\, photography\, and music-making\, activities that allow him to continuously connect with nature and creativity. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFarah Majid\n\n\n\nAssistant Director of Advocacy\, Legal Services Alabama\n\nFarah Majid is currently the Assistant Director of Advocacy at Legal Services Alabama. She began working with Legal Services Alabama in 2012. Since that time\, she has been a Staff Attorney in the Huntsville and Mobile offices. She was the Consumer Lead Attorney from 2015 – 2018. She has also been the Managing Attorney of the Birmingham Office and the Rural Coordinating Project Attorney\, focused on increasing advocacy efforts in Alabama’s rural areas. She currently serves in a statewide role and is based in Birmingham. As part of her current role\, she supervises LSA’s statewide grants and projects\, such as the Heir Property project. She graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2011. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJennie L. Stephens\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nCEO\, Center for Heirs’ Property\nJennie L. Stephens\, Ph.D.\, is a native of Walterboro\, SC\, and an accomplished executive leader with deep expertise in nonprofit management\, advocacy\, and community development. She has successfully secured over $25 million in funding\, driven policy reforms\, and established strategic partnerships to promote land preservation\, economic equity\, and social justice. \n\n\n\nAs the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Heirs’ Property since 2006\, Jennie has expanded the organization’s budget from $150K to $12M\, developed a replicable nonprofit model used in six states\, and secured $25M in federal and foundation funding to expand the Center’s impact and build a national heirs’ property alliance. Her leadership has empoweredhistorically under-resourced landowners with the legal and financial tools needed to protect and sustain their property. \n\n\n\nJennie’s expertise extends into academia as an Adjunct Professor at Mercyhurst University\, where she taught grant writing and program development. She is also a published author\, with her work featured in academic journals\, ABA publications\, and documentary films\, includingGaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land and America’s Forests in South Carolina. She has served on numerous boards and committees\, including the American Forest Foundation Board of Directors (current) and the USDA Equity Commission Agriculture Subcommittee (2022-2024). She has been honored as a TEDx speaker\, a BALLE Fellow\, and a Charleston RegionalBusiness Journal 40 Under 40 Award recipient. \n\n\n\nJennie holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University\, a Master’s in Public Administration\, and a B.S. in Business Administration(Accounting). Beyond her professional work\, Jennie is an avid baker who enjoys experimenting with new recipes for her family and coworkers. Her passion is to help people prosper in every area of their lives through leadership\, advocacy\, and community engagement. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nT’arie Todman\n\n\n\nCommunity Outreach Specialist\, Winston County Self Help Cooperative\n\nT’arie “T” Todman leads with exceptional compassion and imparts her wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to individuals who need it the most. After completing her doctorate in pharmacy from Hampton University in 2004\, she served as a military officer pharmacist in the US Army. Later\, she worked as a community pharmacist for eleven years. However\, her passion for community outreach eventually led her to expand her idea of service\, and in 2015\, a significant career change ensued. Todman joined the Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) as a farmer and community outreach specialist\, where she works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of America’s most vulnerable population. At the WCSHC\, Todman is committed to the cooperative’s mission to “Help Save Rural America.” In fact\, Todman returned to school to meet a real community need and earned a Master’s in Nutrition. She has helped the cooperative increase the number of farmers\, landowners\, and cattlemen they serve through her work. She focuses on educating individuals on programs and services that can assist with the community’s longevity. These services include technical assistance\, education on health and nutrition\, credit repair\, housing\, succession planning\, and more. Todman’s dedication to her work is evident in everything she does\, including being a wife\, mother of three\, and Gigi to two. If you want to learn more about her work or get in touch with her\, you can reach her at ttodman@wcshc.com. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar series is open to all. We especially encourage you to join if you are:  \n\n\n\n\nAttending the SAFSF Forum in Savannah\, Georgia. This series will provide critical regional context.  \n\n\n\nA funder interested in land ownership\,  economic development\, and working lands.\n\n\n\nA policymaker focused on agriculture\, land use\, or property rights.\n\n\n\nA member of the public interested in learning more about heirs’ property.\n\n\n\n\n\nPart 2 Recording\n\n\n\nSummary Notes
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/part-2-unlocking-land-equity-and-climate-opportunity-lessons-from-the-mobile-heirs-property-support-initiative/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260507T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260507T110000
DTSTAMP:20260507T203050Z
CREATED:20260414T164209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T203050Z
UID:10000766-1778148000-1778151600@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:SNAP Funder Working Group: Food Restriction Waivers
DESCRIPTION:Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and Grantmakers In Health have formed a funder Working Group to coordinate a strategic response to the SNAP cuts in H.R. 1. Recognizing the far-reaching implications of SNAP for food security\, health\, and economic equity\, this Working Group serves as an information hub and a strategic coordination space\, designed to help funders act quickly\, effectively\, and in alignment with one another. Previous Working Group calls have highlighted advocacy\, training\, and technical assistance\, strategic communications opportunities\, and food security data collection opportunities for funders. \n\n\n\nThis Working Group Call will examine the rise of state waivers restricting the type of food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits\, how retailers are navigating these changes\, and what we might learn from the evaluations. To date\, USDA has approved food restriction waivers in 22 states and incentivized waiver applications by tying them to increased funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. USDA claims that these waivers are meant to “restore nutritional value in SNAP.” However\, five SNAP recipients in Colorado\, Iowa\, Nebraska\, Tennessee\, and West Virginia sued the department in March\, challenging these restrictions as harmful\, unlawful\, and burdensome. \n\n\n\nSpeakers from the National Governors Association\, the National Grocers Association\, and the University of Illinois Chicago will discuss the state-level decision-making process to apply for a waiver\, the impact of these waivers on retailer participation in SNAP\, and the public and private evaluation methods being used to assess whether the restrictions have any meaningful impact on nutrition for participants. The Center for Science in the Public Interest will also share strategic thinking about how they are exploring opportunities to engage in this continuously evolving political climate. \n\n\n\nThis Working Group is open to all funders currently responding to or actively considering a response to SNAP cuts. Funders do not need to be members of SAFSF or GIH; if you are wrestling with the impact of SNAP cuts on the communities you serve\, this space is for you. \n\n\n\nIntelligence Gathering with Experts\n\n\n\n\nJoelle Johnson\, MPH\, Deputy Director for Healthy Food Access\, Center for Science in the Public Interest\n\n\n\nJess Kirchner\, Senior Policy Analyst\, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices\, Children and Families Division\n\n\n\nStephanie Johnson\, RDN\, Vice President\, Government Relations\, National Grocers Association\n\n\n\nLisa M. Powell\, Ph.D\, Distinguished Professor\, Health Policy and Administration\, University of Illinois Chicago
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/snap-funder-working-group-food-restriction-waivers/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/food-access.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260513T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260513T130000
DTSTAMP:20260504T220818Z
CREATED:20260401T230316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T220818Z
UID:10000761-1778673600-1778677200@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Feeding Health: Why Food and Agriculture Funding Matters for Health Funders
DESCRIPTION:This SAFSF-hosted webinar is designed specifically for health-focused funders and investors who are exploring how food and agriculture strategies can strengthen their work on health equity\, prevention\, and community wellbeing. \n\n\n\nAcross the United States\, the health sector is increasingly recognizing what many cultures have long understood: food is foundational to health. However\, food not only impacts what we eat.  The complex realities behind what it takes to produce\, distribute\, and access healthy food – our food systems-  also impact the health of communities at scale.   Recent federal proposals to cut or restrict SNAP benefits and other nutrition assistance programs highlight a deeper vulnerability in the nation’s food and health infrastructure. Addressing diet-related disease\, health inequities\, and rising healthcare costs requires investing upstream in the food system itself. \n\n\n\nDuring this session\, participants will: \n\n\n\n\nExplore how  food systems impact health beyond diet and consumption; \n\n\n\nExamine how SNAP and nutrition program pressures are reshaping the landscape;\n\n\n\nHear a case study of a SAFSF member foundation that has integrated food system strategies into its health portfolio; \n\n\n\nIdentify practical entry points for health funders seeking to move beyond food access programs toward deeper systems change\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will also learn how Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) supports a community of more than 120 funders working at the intersection of food\, agriculture\, climate\, and health. For health funders seeking to address root causes rather than symptoms\, food and agriculture funding offers a powerful and underutilized strategy. \n\n\n\nOpen to all funders! Registration is required. \n\n\n\n\n                \n                        \n                            Feeding Health: Why Food and Agriculture Funding Matters for Health Funders\n                             \n							"*" indicates required fields \n                        \n                        InstagramThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.This field is hidden when viewing the formRegisterName*\n                            \n                            \n                                                    First\n                                                    \n                                                \n                            \n                            \n                                                            Last\n                                                            \n                                                        \n                            \n                        Organization*Title*Email*\n                            \n                        What's one question you're holding?*Are you a funder?*\n								\n								Yes\, I am affiliated with a funding organization.\n							SAFSF defines funders as staff\, board members\, trustees\, donors\, program officers\, and other professionals from organizations using grantmaking or investments as a core strategy to fulfill their mission.\nThis field is hidden when viewing the formEvent Name\nIt may take longer than expected to process your submission\, please only click submit once.\n         Submit
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/why-food-matters-for-health-funders/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/food-recovery.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260519T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260521T170000
DTSTAMP:20260401T233202Z
CREATED:20260401T232840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T233202Z
UID:10000762-1779177600-1779382800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Charlotte\, North Carolina | ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
DESCRIPTION:May 19–21 in Charlotte\, North Carolina   \n\n\n\nJoin SAFSF and member organization ReFED at the 2026 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit for our co-hosted\, invite-only Funder Ideas Exchange designed to help funders identify and act on high-impact opportunities to reduce food waste.  \n\n\n\nThis curated breakfast convening will bring together a select group of funders for rapid insights into promising funding opportunities\, peer learning\, and candid discussion around where philanthropic and impact capital can accelerate systems-level change. Whether you’re already funding in this space or exploring it\, this is a unique opportunity to deepen your strategy alongside like-minded peers. \n\n\n\nThe Summit convenes leaders from across the food system for field trips\, mainstage sessions\, and interactive workshops—alongside dedicated programming for funders to connect directly with solution providers and explore actionable funding pathways. \n\n\n\nSAFSF members are eligible for a discounted registration rate of $300 (75% off) using code SAFSF-FUNDERS.  \n\n\n\nEmail Holly at holly@safsf.org if you’re going to be in Charlotte!  \n\n\n\n\nRegister here!
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/refed-food-waste-solutions-summit/
CATEGORIES:Member Only
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-01-at-6.30.28-PM.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260521T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260521T140000
DTSTAMP:20260319T205640Z
CREATED:20260311T144123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T205640Z
UID:10000756-1779368400-1779372000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Gather Round: Member Briefing On Policy Principles
DESCRIPTION:Member Briefing On Policy Principles\n\n\n\nJoin us at our regularly scheduled monthly membership meeting\, Gather Round\, to learn all about the new Policy Principles and the Policy Challenge to SAFSF Members. SAFSF’s Policy Program Manager Maggie Mascarenhas will share inspiring examples of how members are already advancing policy advocacy and movement-building in 2025 and beyond. Come share how you are already funding policy advocacy work\, or learn how you can start this journey.  \n\n\n\nThe Gather Round Monthly Membership Calls\, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST\, serve as a regular “drop in” space for SAFSF members. These calls are focused on connection and continuing dialogue on topics explored in virtual learning events and other programs hosted by SAFSF during the month. \n\n\n\nInterested in SAFSF membership? Email us and explore what membership means for you.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo register for Gather Round\, you must be logged in and a member of SAFSF. \nPlease log in or register for an account.
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/gather-round-2/
CATEGORIES:Gather Round,Member Only,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gather-Round.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260527T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260527T113000
DTSTAMP:20260608T172538Z
CREATED:20260508T194838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T172538Z
UID:10000767-1779876000-1779881400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Beyond SNAP: Stories and Strategies for Systemic Change
DESCRIPTION:The federal government’s decision to withhold SNAP benefits during the Fall 2025 government shutdown revealed the instability and violence of systems never designed to nourish or protect us. As millions of people were left without food support for weeks\, the National Black Food & Justice Alliance (NBFJA)\, a coalition of over 60 Black-led organizations representing hundreds of Black urban and rural farmers\, organizers\, and land stewards\, mobilized mutual aid resources to communities across the U.S. and released the Peoples Statement on the SNAP Halt. Although the federal shutdown ended and SNAP benefits resumed\, the lessons from this moment remain critical for food sovereignty. For many organizers\, farmers\, and land stewards who work with food-insecure communities\, this is not about returning to normal. It’s about continuing to build power that endures beyond state failure. \n\n\n\nWhen our ability to eat depends on political negotiations\, hunger becomes a tool of governance. Hunger IS political violence. The opportunity before us is to not only continue to demand permanent legislative action that safeguards SNAP and guarantees that\, in the future\, benefits continue without lapse and cover all eligible households\, but also to build food and land infrastructures rooted in community control\, mutual care\, and self-determination. Join this session to hear from members of NBFJA as they share stories and strategies to bring about sustainable systemic changes.  \n\n\n\nSpeakers \n\n\n\n\nCicely Garrett\, National Black Food & Justice Alliance\, Co-Executive Director\n\n\n\nDuron Chavis\, Happily Natural\, Farmer\, Founder & Director\n\n\n\nM. Dominique Villanueva\, Fountain Heights Farms\, LLC\, Farmer & Executive of Vision & Strategy\n\n\n\nRyan Tenney\, Sankara Farm\, Farmer & Co-Director\n\n\n\nChris Lemons\, Farmer & Founder Gratitude Botanical Farm\, Director of Operations\, ECO-PARADIGM\, LLC\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar is open to all funders.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRecording\n\n\n\nKey Takeaways
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/beyond-snap-stories-and-strategies-for-systemic-change/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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