Earthen Heart Farmland Commons
The Farmers Land Trust will use this grant to work with land donor Julian Lauzzana, young Black farmer Alita Kelly, West Michigan Young Farmers, Access of West Michigan and others to establish the 501(c)(25) Earthen Heart Farmland Commons in southwestern Michigan. A farmland commons is an innovative model in which local nonprofit organizations share ownership of farmland and convey the land by long term lease to farmers who face barriers to land access and are committed to incorporating regenerative farm practices. Expected outcomes include increased local food production, equitable and affordable land access, and security for multiple generations of farmers and land stewards.