b'asked & answered ROOTED IN RACISMFOOD ADVOCATE AND AUTHORSpeaks on U.S. FarmingInterview by Pierre Ferrari, Heifer president and CEOLeah Penniman loves being a farmer, but after doing the job for more than two decades, she has no illusions about it. Its a hard job, she said. We dont get to prance through the fields just picking flowers in a white dress.In addition to farming, Penniman is a mother, soil steward and food justice activist, as well as the author of Farming While Black, the first comprehensive how-to guide for aspiring African-heritage growers to reclaim their dignity as agriculturists, a book she describes as a love song for the land and her people.In 2010, Penniman co-founded Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York. With a mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim ancestral connections to the land, Soul Fire provides farmer training for Black and Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program, anti-racism training, and organizing toward equity in the food system. Penniman and Soul Fire Farm have been recognized by the Soros Equality Fellowship, Fulbright Program, Grist 50 and PHOTOS COURTESY OF LE AH PENNIMAN James Beard Leadership Award, among others.Penniman chatted with Heifer International President and CEO Pierre Ferrari about anti-racism, food apartheid, soil health and farming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Excerpts from their conversation, which is part of Heifers ongoing live chats, follow. The full discussion is available at www.heifer.org/leahpenniman.10| SPRING 2021'