Karen Washington is a farmer, food justice activist, and community leader whose work centers on land, food sovereignty, and the power of communities to nourish themselves. For decades, she has been at the forefront of efforts to transform food systems by advocating for equitable access to land, healthy food, and the knowledge required to grow it.
Karen’s journey began in New York City, where she helped reclaim vacant lots and turn them into thriving community gardens. Through this work, she witnessed firsthand how food access is deeply tied to issues of race, class, and systemic inequity. Rather than accepting the term food desert, she has been a leading voice in reframing the conversation toward food apartheid—naming the structural forces that shape who has access to fresh, nutritious food and who does not.
As a farmer and educator, Karen believes that growing food is both a practical skill and a political act. Her work emphasizes self-determination, cultural connection to land, and the importance of local, community-driven solutions. She speaks widely about how reclaiming land and food production builds health, dignity, and collective power—especially in Black and Brown communities historically excluded from agricultural ownership and decision-making.
In addition to farming, Karen is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and media contributor. She shares her insight through keynotes, workshops, interviews, and public conversations that challenge dominant narratives about agriculture and invite audiences to think differently about sustainability, justice, and community resilience.
