Madison nonprofit Family Farm Defenders announced in a recent press release the winners of its 2023 John Kinsman Prize, which celebrates beginning farmers each year in memory of the organic pioneer and food sovereignty advocate.
The winners this year are Hannah Frank and Justin Thomas of Rue de Bungaloo Farm in Athens, Wisconsin, and Nia Nyamweya of Beauty Blooms Farm in Montgomery County, Maryland. Both winners will receive a $2,500 cash prize and a local food fair trade gift basket.
For the first time this year, FFD has also given an honorable mention prize (with a $500 cash award) to the Bad River Food Sovereignty Initiative of Odana, Wisconsin.
Since 2011, Family Farm Defenders has given out over 20 awards and $40,000-plus in prize money to beginning farmers across the U.S.
