Overcoming Biases in Access to Farmland Capital: Introducing the African Canadian Farmers Fund

This free lunch-and-learn session will highlight the new African Canadian Farmers Fund's potential to catalyze positive change and promote equity within the financial and agricultural sector and answer any questions from investors, clients, and community members.

The launch of the African Canadian Farmers Fund serves as a pivotal moment in addressing the systemic biases plaguing African Canadian farmers' access to farmland. Tune in for this free event to hear directly from food sovereignty workers who will share their firsthand experiences navigating the hurdles of accessing capital within a landscape riddled with internal and external biases. Their insights will shed light on the urgent need for investment in values-based alternatives to the status quo, and highlighting the Fund's role in breaking down barriers and empowering African Canadian farmers to secure land ownership.

The webinar will briefly cover everything from understanding historical biases, addressing systemic barriers, promoting land ownership and access, utilizing concessionary capital, community engagement, and the value of land trusts in supporting African Canadian farmers and addressing systemic inequities in farmland access and ownership.

FACILITATOR

Afua Asantewaa | Fair Finance Fund

Afua is a Sustainable Farmer with over 10 years of experience working in under-served communities in Canada and Ghana. In Toronto, she began her food security work with Afri-Can FoodBasket, then with FoodShare Toronto as the Senior Good Food Program & Community Engagement Coordinator and Food Secure Canada’s Indigenous & Black Peoples Food Sovereignty Project. At FoodShare, Afua implemented Toronto’s pioneer produce Mobile Market and Public Health’s Grab Some Good subway produce markets. Afua is a founding member of the Pan-African Canadian Food Sovereignty Network, which is pursuing equitable participation of African-Canadians in the agriculture sector and emerging national school food policy.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Nicole Busari | Pamoja Community Investment Fund Inc

Nicole Busari is an international serial entrepreneur with a passion for making a positive impact in her community. With a background in Autism therapies, Nicole has always been dedicated to helping others and improving the lives of individuals with special needs. As a wife and mother of four, Nicole understands the importance of creating a better future for her family and community. She has channeled her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise into her role as the Vice President of Pamoja Community Investment Fund. In this position, Nicole is committed to opening avenues of education and generational wealth creation for her community. Nicole is not only a successful businesswoman but also a community activist. She actively works towards creating opportunities for others and advocating for social change. Her dedication and passion for her community drive her to go above and beyond to make a difference. Through her various endeavors, Nicole has become a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and community leaders. Her determination, resilience, and heart for her community serve as an inspiration to those around her.

Karen Ferron | Ferron Family Farms

Karen and her husband Al began their farming journey in 2021 when they left urban life in Ontario behind to embark on a new adventure on their 137-acre family-owned farm in Carleton County, New Brunswick. Specializing in premium, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meats, their offerings include authentic goat meat, beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, complemented by imported West Indian and cultural goods. With Al's Jamaican heritage and Karen's Canadian upbringing, they seamlessly merge agricultural know-how with marketing expertise. The idea for their farm business sprouted during the COVID lockdown, prompting their move with their four children to New Brunswick, prioritizing family and personal growth. As first-generation farmers, they are committed to promoting food sovereignty directly from the farm. Since their farm's launch in 2022, Ferron Family Farms' products have been featured on the menu of a prestigious restaurant. Their meat products have become accessible on LifeDirt, an online marketplace devoted to linking customers with nature through food. Their commitment to quality and sustainability earned them the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Black Business Initiative-Atlantic in 2023, highlighting their profound impact on the community. Ferron Family Farms is synonymous with sustainable agriculture, community involvement, and food sovereignty. 

Calvin Gough | 902 Man Up

Kor Kase | Afrovan Connect

ABOUT US

The Inclusive Prosperity Project is a partnership between the Fair Finance Fund, Social Economy through Social Inclusion (SETSI), and the Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF). This collaborative project works to overcome barriers for equity-deserving farmers through access to capital for land purchases. By assessing and redressing biases in governance, operations, and lending practices of conventional institutions, Inclusive Prosperity works towards an equitable and inclusive farming future.