The purpose of RANCHFEST

RANCHFEST is held by People 1st Global Food and Land Reclamation Foundation and is a culmination of our past 3 annual conferences supporting small and minority farmers. Our founder Rachael Stewart lived off-grid for two years. Rachael was also the founder of the Southwest Black Ranchers and understood what it was like to not have support or guidance. Each mistake takes time, money, and a toll on your mental health. After the first non-profit conference in 2022, Rachael was able to close on multiple commercial farms through the USDA. These are very special loans for farmers where very few minority farmers across the country have them. The non-profit then began to assist others with technical assistance to understand USDA programs. Aside from the USDA loans, Rachael Stewart assisted minority farmers and homesteaders to purchase over 1000 acres. Then after experiencing Domestic Violence, the non-profit has taken on another task of helping women as well to grow in this industry. In 2024 Rachael Stewart and the Non Profit have done technical assistance with the USDA helping farmers with discrimination and then became certified in Equestrian Assisted Learning to help others who have experienced traumatic events to heal with horses.  Rachael developed a network of women who support each other as they grow in the farming industry. This year almost 500 acres have been purchased by women of color in the network so far! There can be trauma in life, farming, history, and growing. Ranchfest is a celebration for everyone to help us grow away from the trauma and create new positive relationships with farming, food, the environment, animals, music, art, rodeo, and more! With each ticket purchased a portion is donated to support abuse victims, women in business, farmers, and ranchers and building these positive relationships to support positive mental health.