In a world where dreaming big is often confined to circumstance, there comes a time to ask: What if you gave yourself permission to dream?
During a national meeting with farmers from historically underserved communities, a coalition member voiced a sentiment many know too well—disengagement and fear continue to hold some of our brightest minds back. Despite steady growth in regenerative agriculture and soil health engagement, remnants of imposter syndrome and hesitation still linger in the air.
But the invitation is clear: shift your mindset.
The Power of Representation
At the heart of this week’s message is a personal story—one that begins in the 1940s, with a young Black boy in southern Alabama. Watching a plane fly overhead, he tells his father he wants to be a pilot. His father, grounded in the reality of the time, replies, “There are no colored pilots.”
Unfazed, the boy sets his sights on a new dream: becoming a Major League Baseball player. Again, his father shakes his head—“There are no colored baseball players.”
But then everything changes. The boy hears that Jackie Robinson is in town. He dashes from his classroom to the local drugstore to catch a glimpse of the trailblazing Dodger. Though he can’t hear Jackie speak, just seeing him was enough. That night, with tickets in hand, the boy watches Robinson play—and sees the impossible become real.
From that moment on, no one told him what he could or couldn’t dream.
That boy? He became Hank Aaron—Major League Baseball legend and record-breaker. Not only did he realize his dream, but he shattered Babe Ruth’s home run record, holding it for decades.
Dreaming Big as Resistance
For many in underserved communities, dreaming big isn’t just a personal journey—it’s an act of defiance. It’s the decision to believe in something more despite societal boundaries. But dreams require more than belief; they require evidence that the dream is possible.
That’s why representation matters. When a young farmer sees someone who looks like them leading, innovating, and thriving, it rewires what they believe is possible. It offers a mirror—and a map.
From Hope to Action
The real question becomes: what are you waiting for?
Whether it’s fear, lack of exposure, or internal doubt, now is the time to break through. The story of Hank Aaron serves as both reminder and roadmap. Possibility grows where permission is given—by others, yes, but especially by ourselves.
So what are you willing to believe? What story will your journey tell?
