For Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on women leaders who are the driving force behind Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the focal point of this year’s National Women’s History Month. Ree Ree Wei is the Executive Director of Transplanting Traditions Community Farm. Read about her work with diversifying NC food systems.
Ree Ree Wei
Q: What are your pronouns?
A: She/Her
Q: What is your job title?
A: Executive Director
Q: What industry do you work in?
A: Nonprofit, food systems work at Transplanting Traditions Community Farm
Q: How do you advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in your leadership role?
A: How I advocate for DEI in my role is by leading by example, being my authentic self, and resisting white supremacy culture and values, which I am actively practicing beyond my profession as well. Ways that I advocate for DEI is through our train-the-trainer model of empowering the refugee staff on our team to take on leadership and providing mentorship from non-refugee staff. In order for the organization to thrive as an ethnic community-based organization and being a young and recent community group in Orange County, leadership must be uplifted and transformed even if an individual does not fall within the “defined norm.” We are the experts in our community stories, and experiences, and transform the way we do community work.
Q: In what ways can community members and organizations actively support your work in the community?
A: Two parts to how community members can support the work I do is by buying locally and supporting farmers, and also advocating for a more just food system in our town. So, the first thing is supporting farmers directly by buying their produce through a CSA, farmers’ market, or local coop who buys from farmers directly. Buying their produce is investing in our local economy, which has an environmental impact that reduces our carbon footprint, and it sustains the farmers’ and our community’s livelihood.
On the other hand, how our community can support Transplanting Traditions and our local food justice advocates is by providing financial and informational resources, advocating in our local government to prioritize hunger disparity in the low-income community, providing healthy organic food through the WIC and SNAP programs, building intentional relationships with organizers, and showing up to participate in community events. That is allyship and true partnerships.
Need to know more about Transplanting Traditions Community Farm? Tap the links below!
Transplanting Traditions Community Farm’s partnership with Weaver Street Market
Transplanting Traditions Website
DEI Work in the Food Industry and Community
Local Producer – Transplanting Traditions
By Portia Hackett, Weaver Street Market Social Media Specialist & Outreach Coordinator.