Christa Barfield is a healthcare professional turned farmer, redefining agriculture through her groundbreaking work with FarmerJawn, the largest Black-owned food producer in Pennsylvania. A Philadelphia native, Christa spent a decade in healthcare administration before a transformative solo trip in 2018 inspired her to reconnect with the land, address systemic inequities, and champion the idea that “Food is Medicine.”

Founded with a mission to heal both people and the planet, FarmerJawn spans 128 acres across three counties and is poised to become one of the nation’s first Black woman-owned regenerative organic farms. Christa’s work focuses on sustainable food systems and equitable access to nutrition, tackling issues that disproportionately affect Black and brown communities. By blending regenerative farming practices with advocacy and entrepreneurship, she is leading the charge for a “Farm First” approach to public health and environmental justice.

Under Christa’s leadership, FarmerJawn has become a national model for how agriculture can address the intertwined challenges of food insecurity, climate change, and community health. Her innovative efforts have earned her recognition as one of the most influential voices in food systems leadership, being honored by a James Beard Award in 2024.

Christa’s vision extends far beyond farming; she is sparking conversations nationwide about the power of land stewardship to transform society. As she works to heal the soil, she’s also cultivating a future rooted in equity, sustainability, and wellness.

Her guiding principle is simple yet profound: “To heal a nation is to feed them well.”