Black History Month: Celebrating Black Farms & Farming Organizations in Ontario

This Black History Month, join OFT in honouring the contributions of Black farmers and leaders in Ontario. In this article, OFT volunteer, Iris, highlights a handful of Black farmers and farming organizations that do vital work to advance equity and representation in farming and their local food systems. While this is not a conclusive list, it’s a starting point to familiarize yourself with our dedicated Black growers, stewards, and community leaders.

History of Black Farming in Ontario:

Black farmers are a key component of Ontario’s rich agricultural history. Black farmers have made historic and monumental contributions to what we now call ecological, sustainable, or regenerative agriculture– despite the injustices they faced¹.

Since the 1800s, Black settlements and Black agriculture have thrived in Ontario; formerly enslaved Black people from the United States settled in what we now know as Southwestern Ontario—Amherstburg, Chatham, London, Oro, Woolwich, and Windsor—while others crossed the Great Lakes to Owen Sound and Toronto. Here, Black communities thrived, often centering around agriculture—one example is the successful agricultural settlement at Buxton, which was home to at least 2,000 people by 1860².

Systemic Barriers Facing Black Farmers:

However, there are stark deficits in Black representation and equity in the farming community and agricultural industry. Abena Offeh-Gyimah, CEO of Addablooms [3], notes that “Black farmers are socially and culturally positioned as [the minority] among Canadian farmers,” leading to a “lack of representation and participation in decision making.”³

Black-led Farming Organizations:

Afri-can Food Basket [1]: Afri-can Food Basket is a Black-led, Black-Serving, and Black-Mandated organization focused on reducing hunger, enhancing cultural food access, and promoting health and wellness within African, Caribbean, and Black communities across the GTA.
Black Creek Community Farm [2]: Black Creek Community Farm is an urban agricultural centre located in Toronto, with a mission to engage, educate and empower diverse communities through sustainable food. Through their food distribution projects, they’re increasing food access while empowering food literacy and building community through engaging workshops and events.
Black Farmers and Food Growers Collective [3]: Toronto Black Farmers and Food Growers Collective seeks to address racial inequality and foster sustainable community development by improving community-led initiatives and supporting local farmers and products. In her interview with The Narwhal, Jacqueline Dwyer, co-founder, notes that food, race, and well-being are inextricably connected. She states that:

“Your food is your medicine and your lifestyle is your therapy … [Black people] are eating the worst kind of food now … [The Black Farmers and Food Growers Collective is] not here to sell to sexy white markets. We’re here to serve our community, to feed those who don’t have the money to buy food and access food banks regularly.”⁴

Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Network for Black, Indigenous, and Farmers of Colour [4]: “In an effort to support farmers in Ontario who face ongoing systemic marginalization due to racism, the Network for Black, Indigenous, and Farmers of Colour was established in December 2020. Our goal is to connect growers, ranchers, and traditional land stewards, nurture solidarity, and collectively share resources and knowledge, in a warm, welcoming, and supportive community. Access to the group is open to farmers and aspiring farmers in Ontario who are Black, Indigenous, or people of colour.”⁵
Sundance Commons [5]: Sundance Commons is a non-profit organization co-founded by farmers Cheyenne Sundance and Jon Gagnon. Together they’re striving to break down barriers to entry for new, young, and equity-deserving farmers by providing tools, land access, educational workshops, and incubator programs.
Ubuntu Community Farm [6]: Ubuntu Community Farm is a small-scale market garden and community medicinal garden located in Toronot. They sell their diverse produce through their CSA baskets while providing opportunities for their community to learn and reconnect with the land.

Black-led Farms

Agape Farms [7]: Inspired to provide greater access to fresh produce to community members in need, in addition to her volunteer work, Farmer Tiffany started her non-profit farming business in 2020. Today, Agape Farms grows diverse vegetables, herbs, and more in Guelph, Milton, and Puslinch.
Akachi Farms [8]: Operated by farmer Buchi Onakufe, and located in Woodbridge, the farm offers organic CSA baskets, agricultural workshops and classes, and organic cosmetic products.
Callaloo Farm [9]: Located in Brampton, Hamer Hugh Phillips grows Jamaican Callaloo, a staple leafy green for many Caribbean cultures.
Deeper Roots Farm [10]: Operated by farmers Cady & Alvis, Deeper Roots Farm grows diverse vegetables, including culturally specific foods for the African diaspora in the GTA. They farm on leased land in Brampton and offer a CSA basket program.
Eager Bee Gardens [11]: Eager Bee Gardens is a Black queer-run small-scale vegetable farm, operated by farmer Tobi, serving the Toronto community. They offer a CSA basket program, and wholesale to restaurants and food businesses.
The Greenhouse Eatery [12]: Since 2011, The Greenhouse Eatery, a family-run vegetable farm in Brampton has offered a diverse range of heirloom and heritage vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, ornamentals, and more.
Lucky Bug Farm [13]: Lucky Bug Farm is a small-scale, ecological market garden growing near the Kitchener-Waterloo region by farmer Aliyah Fraser.
Re.Planted Farm [14]: Re. Planted farm operates on a network of underutilized lawns, transformed into no-till market gardens producing vegetables and flowers. They’re located in Deep River, and operated by farmers Akos and Bernard.
SARN Farms [15]: SARN Farms is an organic urban farm located in Toronto led by farmer Arnest. They offer weekly CSA boxes and are passionate about promoting healthy living and sustainable food systems.
Sundance Harvest [16]: Sundance Harvest is operated by farmer Cheyenne Harvest on their newly purchased farm in Mount Forest. Their 2-acre farm will offer cut flowers, tender fruit, herbs, and vegetables. They will also be raising small livestock. You can find their offerings at farmers markets in Toronto as well as through their CSA boxes.
Zawadi Farm [17]: Zawadi Farms, operated by Farmer Jesse champions sustainable farming through regenerative practices in the heart of Toronto. They offer CSA boxes, educational workshops and events, as well as initiatives aiming to address local food insecurity.

These incredible farms and organizations are actively challenging the status quo in farming, food systems, and agriculture. Farming and food are for everyone! Please support these organizations in their fight against racial inequity in agriculture and beyond. Consider visiting their farmers’ markets, purchasing a CSA share, sharing their platforms, and donating to their initiatives.

References

1. Hunter, M. 2024. Celebrating Black History Month: 8 Contributions of Black Farmers to Regenerative Agriculture. https://youngagrarians.org/black-farmers-regenerative-agriculture/

2. Ontario Heritage Trust. n.d. Black settlement in Ontario. https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/our-stories/slavery-to-freedom/history/black-settlement-in-ontario

3. Future Farmers. n.d. The challenge of food sovereignty for Black Farmers in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto Metropolitan University. https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/social-innovation/News/FutureFarmers_VisualMap_Final.pdf

4. Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. 2025. Farmers Network for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. https://efao.ca/bipoc-farmer-network/

5. Leitao, R. 2021. Three Black farmers and the fight for diminishing land in southern Ontario. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-black-farmers-fight-for-land-gta/