Regenerative Farming 101 with Vanessa Frias of Willowbrook Farms

Vanessa Frias is a first-generation farmer proving that small-scale livestock operations can be a powerful tool for environmental restoration. As the owner of Willowbrook Farms—a Black and Hispanic-owned, 35-acre operation—Vanessa focuses on the intersection of animal husbandry and forest ecology.

Specializing in pasture and forest-raised livestock, Vanessa utilizes regenerative grazing to improve soil microbiology, manage invasive undergrowth, and increase carbon sequestration within her woodlots. Her operation serves as a blueprint for how direct-to-consumer models and nationwide shipping can sustain a farm that prioritizes the land's health over high-input industrial methods. Vanessa is dedicated to demonstrating that regenerative agriculture isn't just a trend, but a scalable necessity for the future of our local food systems.