2026 Changemaker of the Year

Marbleseed’s Changemaker of the Year honors emerging leaders in the organic farming and food movement who creatively overcome systemic challenges to nurture a thriving agricultural future for all. Created in 2020, the Changemaker of the Year was created to recognize communities of regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, and/or local food systems who have been historically discriminated against.

Sharing Our Roots

Sharing Our Roots, a farm that provides long-term land access for immigrant, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and emerging farmers, is Marbleseed’s 2026 Changemaker of the Year. Sharing Our Roots is based on 163-acres of previously degraded monocropped farmland outside of Northfield, MN. Ten farms lease the land, including growers originally from Kenya, Sudan, and Mexico who grow culturally relevant produce, such as chinsaga and Armenian cucumbers. The Sudanese Farming Group, many of whom travel from the Twin Cities to work at Sharing Our roots, recently added a goat herd to their farm.

Unlike incubator farms, which usually have a three- to five-year agreement, Sharing Our Roots leases land indefinitely to farmers who agree to farming within guidelines of soil health, animal biosecurity, and organic certification. The organization also provides growing space to more than 125 gardeners at its seven community gardens.

“We can see the positive changes we’re making in the land every day,” says Derek Meyers, Executive Director of Sharing Our Roots, alluding to the organization’s commitment to demonstrate that perennial agriculture can restore the environment. “This recognition from our wider [farming] community is especially meaningful during what has been an extremely difficult start to the year. ICE’s occupation of Minnesota coupled with the administration’s dismantling of social safety nets and disregard for the environment has been challenging, to say the least.”

Recipients of the Marbleseed Changemakers Award

Families Anchored in Total Harmony (FAITH) CDC (2025)

The Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition (2024)

Marcia L. Eiynck of Beargrease Botanicals (2023)

Urban Growers Collective (2022)

Hannah Breckbill of Humble Hands Harvest (2021)

Steve Acheson of Peacefully Organic Produce, Veterans for Compassionate Care, S.C. Hemp Producers Co-op (2020)

Loretta Livingston and Joy Schelble of Bad River Food Sovereignty Program (2020)

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin of Regenerative Ag Alliance (2020)