In this episode of HerStory Podcast, host Sharon Idahosa engages in a profound conversation with Kelsha Weaver, a retired military veteran and Black woman farmer, who shares her journey into the agriculture sector. Kelsha reflects on her transition from military service to farming, inspired by a desire to create a meaningful legacy and contribute to sustainable agriculture. She discusses the unique challenges Black women veterans face in farmland procurement, including financial barriers, limited access to resources, and systemic biases that differ from those faced by other groups.
Kelsha sheds light on her experiences navigating federal programs designed to support veterans and minority groups, noting the gaps in accessibility and the additional hurdles she encountered. She speaks openly about the intersectional challenges of race, gender, and veteran status, sharing personal stories of bias and discrimination, and how she developed resilience and found support through specific networks and organizations dedicated to uplifting Black women veterans.
Together, Sharon and Kelsha explore critical policy changes that could enhance access to land and resources, emphasizing the need for inclusive federal programs that truly reach underserved communities. Kelsha’s words of encouragement are powerful, advising Black women veterans interested in agriculture to persevere, tap into available support networks, and advocate for themselves. She ends by sharing her hopes for a more diverse and inclusive agricultural future, where Black women veterans can thrive and make lasting impacts.