Episode 389. Successful Women in Agriculture - Gwen Cannon

In this episode of ATTRA - Voices from the Field, host Felicia Bell interviews Gwen Cannon, a dedicated farmer and community leader from Central Mississippi, as part of the 'Successful Women in Agriculture' series. Gwen shares her journey from a city-raised woman to a multi-generational homesteader who has transformed her family’s land into a thriving, sustainable farm. Starting with a backyard garden to grow chemical-free food, Gwen and her husband expanded to six garden plots, raise livestock, grow fruit trees, and produce preserves, canned goods, and even handcraft items like rugs and gourds. She runs a church pantry, hosts educational 'rolling barnyard' visits for children, and teaches canning and jam-making workshops to revive lost skills. Gwen emphasizes faith, sustainability, and self-reliance as core values, encouraging others to reconnect with the land and reclaim traditional agricultural knowledge. Her vision for the future includes expanding her farm’s impact on community health and education. The episode highlights the power of intergenerational wisdom, the importance of hands-on learning for youth, and the practical steps individuals can take to achieve food sovereignty—even without large plots of land. Gwen’s story exemplifies how sustainable agriculture is not just about farming, but about community resilience, cultural preservation, and living in harmony with nature. Her work serves as a living model of what’s possible when passion, faith, and practical skill converge.