La Finca del Sur (Spanish for “the farm of the south”) is an urban farm in Mott Haven led by women of color, pulling from its surrounding community. Founders Ginyard and Nancy Ortiz wanted to highlight the agricultural heritage of its farmers who have roots in the American and global south.

These farmers are rewriting an agricultural narrative of the Bronx. One that includes health and family as its cornerstones. “We express love to each other when we are growing food here,” says Babbs. “We are sharing food with each other; we are selling it at the farmers market, we are expressing love through healthy food that was grown right here in the neighborhood.”

The conversation at La Finca centers on food and culture in a community deprived of healthy food choices. The South Bronx is an area where healthy food is not always accessible or affordable. “People call it a food desert, but it’s really food apartheid,” says Babbs.