The Venture Farming Institute (VFI) was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, Liz, Freedom, Jiff, Robert, Herb, and Julius, who aimed to address a fundamental question: How can we ensure new farmers of color are successful?

The history of agriculture in the U.S. has led to substantial land loss for many farmers of color, amounting to over $326 billion as of 2024. Farmers who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Latinx) make up only about 9% of agricultural landowners, while white landowners account for 91% of the market. This disproportionate ownership over the decades is a crucial aspect to consider, as it contributes to the ongoing failures in food systems that continue to impact many underrepresented groups in the U.S. Therefore, the challenge is not merely finding farmers of color but rebuilding them.

With professional backgrounds in areas ranging from women's maternal health, non-profit management,  to food and crop production, these community leaders set out on a path of reclamation. Their exploration led them to develop a training program for aspiring farmers of color in the agricultural sector. 

Through their research, they learned about the story of Venture Smith, the son of an African king, who was enslaved at an early age in Rhode Island but later purchased his freedom, and that of his wife and children in Connecticut. Smith's autobiography details his experiences and determination to live as a free man, mastering various business and agricultural trades in the early 1700s. His resilience and visionary work inspired them to honor Venture Smith’s legacy by naming the program after him, encouraging both program leaders and students enrolled to remember their ancestral histories and remain committed to their dreams.