Ashley, Black Soils (Lexington, KY)

I’m inspired by people who are willing to use their creativity and gifts to share a message everyone needs to hear. ✨I first met Ashley C. Smith when she toured our farm with the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange. Soon after, I heard that she was launching Black Soils-Our Better Nature. Together with her partner Trevor, Ashley is committed to addressing a complicated and often overlooked part of Kentucky history and farm culture. Ashley holds space for this conversation with grace and hospitality. She is careful to lift up and recognize the work of Black farmers while cultivating an environment for learning where everyone feels welcome and fed. As I travel the state, Ashley’s work comes up time and time again as being just what we needed, done well, and at just the right time. Those of us who carry heavy stories and concerns can look to Ashley for inspiration and hope for fresh and new ways to be heard.✨