NAME: LEAH PENNIMAN AND JONAH VITALE-WOLFF

FARM: SOUL FIRE FARM

AGES: 31 AND 32

Can you provide some brief background information about your farm? In your opinion, what makes it special or unique?

Soul Fire Farm is a family farm committed to the dismantling of oppressive structures that misguide our food system. Our 5-acre, handscale farm and homestead provide Certified Naturally Grown vegetables and fruits, and pastured eggs and meat to 25-50 families in the nearby cities of Troy and Albany, NY using the CSA model.

Why do you believe farming is important, particularly for the younger generation, and why did you decide to become a farmer?

We farm because to be disconnected from soil and land is to lose a piece of ourselves. Especially as young African-Americans and young Jews, we can look to our ancestral stories of both deep connection to and alienation from land. To own land, to till land, and to feed our communities is our birthright and the full expression of our heritage on this earth.

Note: This post is part of FarmPlate’s new series about young farmers. If you want to be included, know someone we should profile or have comments/questions about our series, please contact Jeff Gangemi at jgangemi@farmplate.com.