Amber D. Smith, M.Ed., PMP, is a returning-generation farmer, visionary strategist, and founder of Farms by Amber, LLC—a certified Minority Business Enterprise based in Independence, Missouri. She leads both a working farm and agricultural consulting firm that empowers emerging producers to grow profitable, resilient businesses rooted in purpose and possibility. With over two decades of leadership across education, healthcare, and agriculture, Amber is known for bridging systems with soul. Her work is anchored in a 4C’s Framework—Community, Capacity, Capability, and Capital—supporting farmers, especially Black and Brown producers, as they navigate regulation, secure contracts, and scale impact. Farms by Amber specializes in livestock and genetics exports, while also championing hyper-local food systems that connect nutrient-dense foods to the people who need them most. Amber doesn’t just cultivate land—she cultivates pathways to health, wealth, and belonging. Her mission is bold: nourish the body, liberate the spirit, and fuel the soul.