Cultivating Change: Farmers Share Their Stories is an oral history project that was started at the 2025 Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI. Its goal was to compile the stories, experiences, and lives of people who work in the agriculture business. Passionate journalists and farmers worked together to recruit, record, and publish the stories of America’s most valuable workers.
The stories ranged from families wanting a fresh start on fertile land, immigrant farmers who found community in unlikely places, an agriculture economist and his memories of the 1980s Farm Crisis, and more. Many times these stories are left untold, but Cultivating Change wants to bring them to light.
Even though the Marbleseed conference is over, the project is ongoing. There are stories yet to be told and memories to be reminisced over. So if you or someone you know has a story that needs to be told, let us know.
Storytelling has been part of human history since the dawn of time. Stories are one of the uniquely human features that allow us to survive and thrive as communities. Sharing experiences and struggles is one of the major ways humans can connect and empathize with each other. Politicians, celebrities, authors, and icons have had their stories told over and over, but farmers and agricultural laborers have not been given the chance to share their life experiences. Well, now is the time.
Cultivating Change is dedicated to sharing the stories of one of the most important American workers. Farmers are the heart of the heartland and their struggles and triumphs should not go unheard.
Cultivating Change has many platforms to listen, share and engage with
and now our Worpress site!
Happy listening and farm on!
Cultivating Change 