Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition Solidarity Statement

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The Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition stands with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers. We come to this work with humility and open ears for feedback on how to improve. We recognize that we are currently a majority white organization, and to that end, in the immediate future, we will share resources that equip white people to do more to build an equitable food system and be anti-racist allies. Starting immediately and in the longer term, we commit to taking a more thoughtful, informed approach to all of our activities, from potlucks to policy, with input from BIPOC farmers. We are trying to be of use. We’re asking you, as someone who trusts our organization, to join us in standing with BIPOC farmers. And we’re asking for your feelings on this set of goals. We’re eager to hear from you, to stand together, and to move our farms, our food system, and our state forward.

We have committed to the following actions:

• Our Storytelling grant from Indiana Humanities specifically aimed to listen to marginalized voices. We wanted to listen to, center, and amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented groups in our state. The grant also let us share those stories through a podcast that we distributed statewide. 
• Our Fellowship program aims to propel farms to their next big step via cash resources and connections. We want to use the resources of this Fellowship to contribute to a more equitable food system in Indiana. We know that this is just a start, but each year, we are holding space in this program for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color. Read about previous fellows and how we're connection beginning BIPOC farmers.
• Our leadership team completed the C.A.N. I (Creating and Nurturing Inclusivity) anti-racist training, developed by Dr. Byron Martin and Janelle White, MS. Dr. Martin hosted the training for our board in 2020 and we used this opportunity to focus on making the Fellowship more equitable. In 2021, we met with Dr. Martin to identify action items that we can take to integrate equity and justice work into each of our programs. Our leaders have also participated in DEI workshops with NCR-SARE.​​

• We partnered with Partners IN Food and Farming (PIFF) to host focus groups for underheard farmers. In 2022, this included a focus group for BIPOC farmers and another for women farmers. Farmers were paid for their contribution and expertise. Together, we are listening to the lessons learned and building this input into our plans for 2023 and beyond.
• We are seeking out BIPOC presenters and hosts for our farm tours and events, and inviting them to share their expertise in farming, marketing, business development, community building, and other areas of the food system.
• We will share resources for white farmers to educate themselves and to take action in solidarity with BIPOC farmers, including the National Young Farmers Coalition's Racial Equity Toolkit.

​Updated November 1, 2022.