Freedom to Advocate Voices of Today The legacy of sparking positive change lives on in today’s Pennsylvanians, who are reshaping communities with courage and creativity. Chef Cristina Martínez South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia As the largest Black woman-owned regenerative produce farm in America, Chef Cristina Martínez also proves food can be symbols of resilience and hope. Martínez learned the ancient technique of slow cooking meats as a child growing up in Capulhuac, Mexico, an art she brought to Philadelphia with the openings of South Philly Barbacoa in 2015 and Casa México in 2020. While she weathered many 44 visitpa.com M. FISCHETTI FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA ® One local leader recently made headlines for blazing the trail in one of the state’s most historic industries: agriculture. In 2021, Christa Barfield started Christa Barfield FarmerJawn , an endeavor she calls a “reincarnation” of the healthcare career she left behind. Since then, what started as a small plot in her backyard has evolved into a 128-acre working farm in West Chester that enables regenerative organic food production by and for underserved communities. “It all ties back to health,” says Barfield, who won the James Beard Foundation’s Emerging Leadership Award in 2024. “The FarmerJawn formula is about healing people, the planet, and the relationships within through organic, chemical-free practices." FarmerJawn grows a variety of crops, from legumes and tomatoes to fresh flowers. The bounty, alongside pasture-raised goat and chicken, is sold through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program and at farm stores. Barfield urges visitors to learn more about how the farm connects people to the land in an immersive tour of FarmerJawn. “It’s all about showcasing that agriculture is the culture, and that our food system can bring people closer to the soil and to each other,” she says. “We really want them to take away that to heal a nation is to feed them well, and that starts right here in Pennsylvania.” Plant Seeds for the Future Have a passion for supporting sustainable agriculture? Get involved! Check the FarmerJawn calendar for regularly scheduled volunteer days focused on planting, weeding, or harvesting. No experience needed—just an eagerness to contribute. professional and personal challenges, Martínez remains fervent about sharing the traditions of her homeland. She’s also used her voice as a chef to advocate for undocumented immigrants, whose roles are often overlooked in the food industry, and is honored to be part of Philadelphia’s vibrant immigrant community. In 2022, her culinary talent and activism earned her a
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