MINNEAPOLIS, (October 5, 2026) — After nearly a decade of building community,
developing leaders and creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ professionals in agriculture,
the Cultivating Change Foundation (CCF) announced its rebrand to Open Fields
Alliance during its annual Summit this week in Minneapolis.
The new name reflects the organization's continued and now expanded commitment to
creating an agricultural and food industry where LGBTQ+ individuals can grow, connect
and lead.
“We still hear people say, ‘I’ve never met another LGBTQ+ person in agriculture,’
including people who have spent years working in the industry,” said Derek Mulhern,
executive director of Open Fields Alliance. “Creating visibility and a sense of belonging
will always be part of who we are, but our work has to go further. Open Fields Alliance is
focused on meeting LGBTQ+ people where they are and providing the connections,
resources and opportunities they need to grow as professionals, develop as leaders and
build lasting careers in agriculture.”
Open Fields Alliance traces its roots to 2015 in Atlanta, when a group of 30 LGBTQ+
professionals and allies working in food and agriculture found one another and began
talking about their shared experiences. Those conversations grew into the Cultivating
Change Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CCF continued evolving over
the following decade, one reason its leaders sought to rebrand.
“Cultivating Change built an important foundation by creating community and helping
LGBTQ+ people see that they belong in agriculture,” Mulhern added. “Open Fields
Alliance builds on that foundation by expanding how we support people throughout their
careers — creating opportunities to connect, grow as professionals and step into
leadership. Our new name and identity reflect who we are today while giving us room to
continue evolving alongside the community we serve.”
Today, Open Fields Alliance serves LGBTQ+ individuals across the agricultural
ecosystem, as well as college students preparing for careers in agriculture. The
organization also welcomes allies who support its mission and the LGBTQ+ community
it serves. Through programs including the Collegiate Network, SpectrumNEXT, Affinity
Groups, OFA at Work, socials and its annual Summit, Open Fields Alliance provides
year-round opportunities for connection, professional development and community
building.
To learn more about Open Fields Alliance and opportunities to get involved, visit
openfieldsalliance.org.
About Open Fields Alliance
Formerly known as the Cultivating Change Foundation, Open Fields Alliance is a
501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ people build connection, grow
professionally and lead across the agricultural and food industry. Building on its roots in
community and visibility, the organization provides year-round programs, resources and
events, like its annual conference, to support students, professionals, farmers and allies
at every stage of their journey in the industry.
