University of Guelph graduate student Francis Jabile is planting the seeds for a more equitable and compassionate agricultural system, one that affirms and supports queer and racially marginalized farmers in Ontario and beyond.
The Capacity Development and Extension student is preparing to defend his thesis in July exploring how equity-deserving farmers those who self-identify as queer and racially marginalized build and rely on networks of care to sustain themselves, their communities and their farms.
"Care is more than just a feeling," says Jabile. "It's a responsibility, an action and a way of being. These farmers are creating systems of mutual support in a world that hasn't always welcomed them."
Through a series of in-depth interviews with queer and racialized farmers in Ontario, Jabile is uncovering the ways these individuals conceptualize and practice care, both for one another and for the land they steward. His research draws on feminist and queer theory to frame care as an ecological and social practice that enables farmers to thrive.
Research rooted in need for representation
Jabile's current research grew out of a personal and academic realization: he couldn't find himself in the literature on Canadian agriculture.
"I wasn't seeing my identity reflected someone who is queer, racialized and passionate about farming," he says. "That lack of representation pushed me to ask, Where are the people like me? And how and why are they doing this work?'"
The result is a study that not only documents the experiences of equity-deserving farmers but also helps define the frameworks they use to survive and flourish, often in the face of systemic barriers.
Interviewees described building networks of care as essential for their well-being and ability to navigate precarious social systems. These networks allow them to share resources, protect each other from discrimination, and maintain a sense of identity and belonging in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating.
"If someone doesn't feel safe to be themselves, they're not going to join a co-op or access the same resources that other food producers have," Jabile explains. "Something as routine as going to the bank for a loan can be a hurdle if you're met with bias or suspicion."
But by connecting with one another, these farmers are affirming that social and emotional sustainability matters just as much as economic success.
Jabile's thesis advisor, Dr. Helen Hambly, say the thesis will be one of the first empirical studies in Ontario on queer farmers, and one of only a few in Canada.
"Inclusion and respect for diversity are key principles for social well-being and sustainability in Canada," she says. "This research sheds lights on challenges but opportunities too."
Agriculture is about caring for each other and the land
Jabile's interest in agriculture began early. Born in the Philippines and raised in Mississauga, he spent childhood summers growing food, and hearing about his grandparents who grew watermelons and other crops.
"My aunts would catch the watermelons when my grandpa tossed them from the truck," he recalls with a smile. "There was this whole rhythm and joy to the process of growing food that stayed with me."
Encouraged by a high school teacher to consider "green" industries, Jabile pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at U of G, specializing in organic agriculture. While working at the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming, he began to see agriculture not just as a technical discipline but as an interconnected system, rooted in science.
"That experience shifted everything for me," he says. "It wasn't just about crop yields it was about community, ecology, food justice, and how we care for each other and the land."
Continuing research into well-being of rural communities
Jabile will continue this work in fall 2025 as he enters a PhD program in rural studies, expanding his research to global contexts.
A recent visit to the Philippines helped him see how his findings could apply internationally, where care systems play a vital role in sustainable food production. He played a key role in strengthening ties between U of G and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), a global leader in agricultural education and research.
Jabile credits his professors and mentors, including Hambly and Dr. Mark Lipton in the School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing, for encouraging him to pursue unconventional questions and bring his full identity to the research process.
"They supported me in exploring new literature and methodologies, and were always open to my ideas," he says. "Grad school helped me see all the different ways I could apply my interests to real-world problems."
Through his work, Jabile hopes to inspire the next generation of students especially those from equity-deserving backgrounds to see agriculture as a space where they belong and can thrive.
"There's a place in this sector for queer, racialized, and underrepresented folks," he says. "We bring different values, perspectives, and solutions that are urgently needed. Agriculture needs us."
