In May, Christa Barfield, a Black farmer who decided to give up her city lifestyle and open FarmerJawn in semirural Westtown, found her space vandalized with hateful messages, writes Jesse Bunch for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Earlier this month the harassment continued, as Barfield’s staff discovered a large swastika spray-painted across the barn’s second floor. 

The James Beard award winner knew the community-supported agriculture business she started on 123 acres behind the Westtown School was a change for the area, especially since the majority of her 16-member team are people of color, women, or Jewish. 

“Change is not something that people love,” said Barfield. 

In May, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, whose district covers Westtown Township, announced a $675,000 grant to restore FarmerJawn’s barn. Following the latest incident, she offered words of support. 

“There is absolutely no room for hate or vandalism in Chester County, our commonwealth, or our country,” said Houlahan. “We talked with Christa on Friday and again today, and made it clear that she and the FarmerJawn team have our support as they work with Chester County officials and law enforcement on the investigation.” 

Read more about what Chester County is doing to help Christa Barfield in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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