About Freedmen Heirs Foundation

Helping farmers take root and flourish

James Beard Impact Award 2025

The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.

Our Team

Seanicaa Edwards Herron

President and CEO

Patrice Lazard

Communications and Operations Coordinator

Sharlene Brown

COO

Lori Hylton

Director of Strategic Programming

Eva Mazura

Project Manager

Board of Directors

Seanicaa Edwards Herron

President and CEO

Kellee James

Co-Founder of Freedmen Heirs Foundation
VP of Agriculture
Argus Media

Dr. Ron Rainey

Assistant Vice President and Professor
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Dr. Loutrina Staley

Plant and Soil Scientist

Karl Binns, Jr.

Founder and Principal
KAVO Consulting, LLC

Megan Rock

Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer
Sustainability and Innovation CHS, Inc.

Latest Newsletters

Explore our latest newsletters for insights to all things farming

The Minority AgVocate: July 2025 Issue

At Freedmen Heirs Foundation, we believe that strong communities are built on strong, connected teams.

The Minority AgVocate: June 2025 Issue

In the world of agriculture, where many voices have been silenced or overlooked, one woman, is making a powerful difference.

The Minority AgVocate™: May 2025 Issue

Farming is a way of life deeply intertwined with cycles of nature and the volatility of markets.

Watch Us Grow

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