Organization: Rocky Acres Community Farm

Rafael Aponte is an Afro-Puerto Rican farmer born and raised in the Millbrook housing projects of the South Bronx. He holds over fifteen years of experience working as a community activist, advocate, and educator. After graduating from Farm School NYC’s certificate program in urban agriculture in 2011, he relocated to Tompkins County and established Rocky Acres Community Farm in Freeville, NY in 2013. Rocky Acres Community Farm is a 30-acre farm that focuses on food justice and education through the sustainable production of local vegetables, eggs, and meat for low-resourced communities. It combines the knowledge and spirit of social justice with the transformative healing aspects of nature and agriculture to promote equity in both urban and rural food systems.