All Against All to All for One: Moving Beyond the Tragedy of the Commons
In April 1651, the political theorist Thomas Hobbes published his most well-known literary work, Leviathan. An ardent royalist writing primarily in response to the discord of the English Civil War, Hobbes reached the conclusion that, without the oversight of a patriarchal ruler, men would remain in a perpetual state of “war of all against all,” […]
Defending Workers and Supporting the Commons: A Q&A with Sam Petsonk
Sam Petsonk has spent his career challenging injustices in the courts and the legislature, and has won game-changing results for countless workers across West Virginia and Appalachia.
Creating Land Access & Tenure for Black Farmers in Virginia
While securing land tenure is a challenge facing farmers of every race in this country, Agrarian Trust knows that land access is a greater barrier for farmers of color, and is centering the work of making affordable land security available to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers. More than 98% of farmland in the U.S. is owned by white people while more than 70% of the farmworkers who seed, cultivate, weed, and harvest the crops that feed us are people of color. This gross injustice needs to change.
Black-led Modest Family Solutions has been selected as the long-term leaseholder and steward for the Puget Sound Agrarian Commons farmland
The Puget Sound Agrarian Commons (AC) has chosen Adasha Turner, founder and director of Modest Family Solutions, as the long-term leaseholding steward of the land gift that started the Puget Sound Agrarian Commons and the Agrarian Commons movement.
A Community Land Trust Seeds the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons
In June 2021, the first farm was transferred into the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons. The 63 acres of farmland were a gift: the Monadnock Community Land Trust (MCLT) donated the land to the Agrarian Commons so that it could continue to be protected for farming.
Changemaker Profile: Renard Turner and the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons
A Q&A with Renard Turner, co-owner and operator of Vanguard Ranch and founding board member of the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons.
Principles of the Commons
Farmer, permaculturist, and author Tao Orion writes about the commons as a means to land stewardship rooted in reciprocity.
West Virginia Farmland Fundraiser Paints a Picture of Connection
Agrarian Trust fully funded its third fundraiser on October 12th, 2021. Working together with the West Virginia Agrarian Commons, the fundraiser reached total completion in ten months, surpassing the goal of $258,000, raising $261,346*.
Changemaker Profile: Jillian Hishaw and Systemic Land Theft
A reflection from author, attorney, and landowner advocate Jillian Hishaw as she discusses her new book, Systematic Land Theft.
Changemaker Profile: Adam Hodges and the West Virginia Agrarian Commons
A Q&A with Adam Hodges, founding board member of the West Virginia Agrarian Commons, Community and Economic Development Extension Agent for Fayette County, and author of Destination: Beautification – A Community Resource Guide, released in 2015.