Amara Ullauri (they/them) is a queer and trans student of seeds, pollinators, and the moon, casting spells of healing and reciprocity through their farming, education, and organizing work. Their work is rooted in their Andean ancestral land-based healing traditions to support queer, trans, and BIPOC (QTBIPOC) communities in reconnecting with the earth. They do this work as founder and lead land steward of Ayni Herb Farm, a QTBIPOC-led herb farm growing culinary and medicinal herbs that sustain ecological abundance and nourish collective liberation.
Amara brings 10 years of creating space to reimagine our food system through a racial justice lens that centers autonomy, dignity, and reciprocal care for each other and the land. They started their farming journey in 2014 through a community apprenticeship program in Brooklyn that grew into organizing citywide food justice campaigns with high school students and youth. Their farming practice has always had an educational emphasis to ensure that the contributions of queer, trans, and BIPOC communities in agriculture are honored. Amara has brought this focus into their role as a farmer and educator at KCC Urban Farm, Farm School NYC, Soul Fire Farm, and Rock Steady Farm. Amara also incorporates an academic foundation in anthropology into their work. They received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology of Environmental Politics from the CUNY Baccalaureate School for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. Amara is also a Culture of Health Leaders (Cohort 5) alum, continuing their leadership development with each seed they plant and share with their community.
FUTURE FOCUS
As Ayni Herb Farm enters its second year, Amara is looking forward to deepening a culture of reciprocity and participation in solidarity economies to ensure queer, trans, and BIPOC communities have access to herbal medicine and healing resources that support collective wellness and environmental health.
