Farmers of color face numerous inequities that continue to shape the agricultural landscape in the U.S., where less than 2% of farmland is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farmer-owned and communities of color face greater rates of food inaccessibility.

Across the country, BIPOC farmers are doing their part to grow the organic movement. Here are five farmers paving the way forward by offering their insights, inspiration, and exemplary work to their communities.

Meet Clarenda Stanley aka “Farmer Cee,” of Green Heffa Farms in Liberty, North Carolina.

Green Heffa Farms is one of the few black woman-owned medicinal plant farms in the country. At Green Heffa Farms, Farmer Cee works with the Sow Green Society to train 21 aspiring womxn farmers, 90% of whom are BIPOC. Cee plans to use her Rodale Institute BIPOC Farmer micro-grant to purchase an eco-friendly tankless water heater to upgrade her hemp and herb processing facility. Of her family-run farm, Farmer Cee says: “We grow with an ecological consciousness, employing best practices in regenerative agriculture, honoring indigenous and heritage farm practices, and upholding reparative justice.”