American Farm Initiative · Est. 2024 · Ohio State University Affiliate
Rebuilding Local Food Systems—
One Microfarm at a Time
The American Farm Initiative (AFI) develops scalable microfarm systems that increase food access, strengthen local economies, and restore community ownership of agriculture.
Growth Beyond Fields · Our Growing Impact
The numbers behind our mission
▼ 95%
Water Reduction vs. Conventional Farming
▲ 365
Days Per Year of Local Production
$13B
Estimated Urban Ag Industry Worth by 2030
23M+
Americans in USDA-Defined Food Deserts
A New Model · For Local Food Production
How the AFI Ecosystem Works
01
🌱 Microfarms
Small-scale, high-efficiency farms producing fresh food directly in communities that need it most.
02
🤝 Aggregation
Multiple microfarms pool their harvests, creating a reliable local supply chain that feeds neighborhoods and local markets.
03
🏘️ Community
Economic opportunity, local ownership, and improved health outcomes flow back into the communities that need them most.
04
📊 Measurable Impact
Economic and social return tracked from day one. We build systems that demonstrate results you can see and measure.
The Problem We’re Solving
Too Many Communities Lack Access to Fresh, Local Food
Across the country, USDA-defined food deserts limit access to fresh, healthy food — while local economies lose millions in potential agricultural revenue. Communities are left dependent on distant supply chains instead of building their own.
“We don’t just support farms. We build connected systems that scale. AFI exists to change that.”
What Sets AFI Apart
At AFI, we do things differently. We build infrastructure, not just farms.
📊 Data-Driven
Every decision is guided by real data — crop yields, community demand, distribution logistics, and economic outcomes.
🔬 Plant Science First
Our approach is rooted in agricultural science, not just technology. Affiliated with Ohio State University, rigor is built in.
🏘️ Community-Owned
We build with communities, not for them. Ownership, jobs, and economic benefit stay local.
⚙️ Systems, Not Sites
We build replicable, connected infrastructure that scales from one farm to an entire regional food network.