​​​Ebony Woodruff is a first-generation attorney, legal entrepreneur, and public policy advocate with a passion for agricultural law, food justice, and social equity. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, she has built a career at the intersection of law, policy, and community empowerment, working to advance the rights and opportunities of intentionally underserved farmers and agricultural communities. Currently, Ebony serves as Co-Director of a non-profit organization, where she leads efforts to provide legal resources, policy advocacy, and education to support small-scale farmers and urban growers. A Certified Agricultural Mediator, Louisiana Master Gardener, and herbalist apprentice, she brings a holistic approach to her work, blending legal expertise with hands-on experience in agriculture and community development.
Ebony earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Agricultural and Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Southern University Law Center, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University. Her career has spanned various sectors, including private practice, nonprofit leadership, government and legislative service.
In 2013, Ebony made history as the first woman elected to represent District 87 in the Louisiana House of Representatives. During her tenure, she championed agricultural and food policy. Her legislative work cemented her commitment to ensuring that agricultural and food systems are equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. A 2023 Aspen Institute Food Leaders Fellow and 2024 Louisiana Food Fellow, Ebony is recognized nationally for her leadership in food systems policy and advocacy. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council, working to shape equitable food policies across Louisiana. Through her work, she continues to advocate for a fair and just food system, ensuring that historically excluded communities have the legal and policy support they need to thrive.
EXPERIENCE
​​Southern University Law Center Agricultural Law Institute
for Underrepresented and Underserved Communities, Director
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Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund, Attorney
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John Deere / Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Legal Fellow
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New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee, Co-Chair
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Louisiana Obesity Prevention & Management Commission, Co-Chair
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Louisiana House of Representatives, State Representative (Jefferson Parish, District 87)
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Jefferson Parish Attorney's Office, Assistant Parish Attorney
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Jefferson Parish Finance Attorney, Trustee
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Jefferson Parish Council District Office, Clerk
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Louisiana Office of the Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa, Assistant
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Law Office of Ebony T. Woodruff, LLC, Founding Attorney & Notary Public
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EDUCATION
LL.M., Agricultural and Food Law
University of Arkansas School of Law
J.D., Civil Law
Southern University Law Center
B.S., Business Administration
Louisiana State University
LICENSES
Louisiana State Bar #32274
Louisiana Notary #88658
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
New Orleans Food Policy Action Council, Chair
Provost Farm Heritage Center and Community Garden, Inc.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture
Black Women in Ag
​Louisiana Women in Agriculture
DOCUMENTARY APPEARANCES
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
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Legal, Policy, and Economic Challenges for Black Farmers, Panelist
SULC Journal of Race, Gender, and Poverty Symposium
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 22, 2025
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Legal Perspectives on Land Tenure Challenges for Black Farmers, Presenter
The Neurodivurgent Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana
July 17 - 19, 2025
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PAST
Agricultural Law, Presenter
Southern University Law Center 2024 End of Year Continuing Legal Education
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
December 14, 2024
Heirs Property, Presenter
Build Our Economic Wealth
Webinar
October 22, 2024
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Land Tenure and Farm Transitions, Presenter
Underserved Farmers Webinar Series
Webinar
September 11, 2024
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Heirs Property Certification Program, Presenter
Southern Regional Risk Management Conference
Pensacola Beach, Florida
August 5-6, 2024
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Heirs Property / Transition Land to the Next Generation, Presenter
Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference
San Marcos, Texas
August 3-6, 2024
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Estate Planning, Presenter
Southern University Law Center
Webinar
July 18, 2024
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Legal Frameworks: Navigating Legality of Forming a Cooperative, Panelist
The National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda
St. Paul, Minnesota
June 13, 2024
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Heirs' Property, Presenter
Southern University Law Center
Webinar
May 29, 2024
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Heirs' Property Update, Panelist
USDA National Agricultural Library (NAL)
Webinar
May 14, 2024
Gaining Ground Screening, Panelist
The (In)Justice For All Film Festival International
Chicago, Illinois
April 6, 2024
Gaining Ground Screening, Panelist
MANRRS 38th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo - Diversity Summit
Chicago, Illinois
March 20, 2024
Funding Fundamentals and Fellowships for Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Panelist
MANRRS 38th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo - Diversity Summit
Chicago, Illinois
March 21, 2024
Heirs' Property, Presenter
Zinpro
Webinar
February 20, 2024
Estate Planning, Presenter
Save Rural America Conference
Amite, Louisiana
January 23, 2024
Land Tenure Challenges for Black Farmers, Presenter
2023 End of the Year CLE
Southern University Law Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
December 15, 2023
Heirs Property, Presenter
50th Annual Bayou Classic CLE
Southern University Law Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
November 24, 2023
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The Path Forward - Heirs' Property Certification Program, Panelist
Heirs' Property Practitioners Network Retreat
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
October 28, 2023
Bridging the Gap - Creating a Transformative Pipeline for MBEs Success in Agriculture, Panelist
National Minority Supplier Development Council 2023 Annual Conference & Exchange
Baltimore, Maryland
October 25, 2023
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Food, Policy & Law Forum: Legacies of American Slavery in Farming & Agriculture, Panelist
Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African American Material Culture
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 19, 2023
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Generational Land Management, Panelist
AgFTAP Training
Weslaco, Texas
October 11, 2023
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USDA DFAP Assistance, Presenter
Provost Farm Heritage Center, Inc.
New Iberia, Louisiana
September 23, 2023
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USDA DFAP Assistance, Presenter
Morehouse Parish Black Farmers & Landowners
Bastrop, Louisiana
August 29, 2023
Heirs Property / Transition Land to the Next Generation, Presenter
Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference
San Marcos, Texas
August 6-8, 2023
Heirs Property and Heirs Property Certification Program, Presenter
Southern Regional Risk Management Conference
Pensacola Beach, Florida
August 2-3, 2023
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The Importance of Wills, Presenter
Morehouse Parish 2023 Farm Field Day
Bastrop, Louisiana
July 21, 2023
Heirs Property, Presenter
Louisiana State Bar Association CLE
Webinar
June 23, 2023
Heirs Property: Practical Tips and Pointers for Resolving Title, Presenter
Tenth Annual Mid-South Agricultural & Environmental Law Conference
Memphis, Tennessee
June 8-9, 2023
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HBCUs and Cooperative Community Development, Panelist
The National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 1-3, 2023
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Heirs Property: A Case Study of Cultural Competency in Pro Bono, Presenter
25th American Bar Association / National Legal Aid & Defender Association Equal Justice Conference
Dallas, Texas
May 4-6, 2023
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Growing Careers in Agricultural & Food Law for Law Students, Guest Speaker
The National Agricultural Law Center and the American Agricultural Law Association
Webinar
March 29, 2023
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Heirs Property, Presenter
Alabama A&M University and FSC/ LAF Conservation Reserve Program Workshop
Gainesville, Alabama
March 25, 2023
2023 Farm Bill and Heirs' Property, Presenter
Mississippi Association of Cooperatives 51st Annual Meeting
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
March 17 - 18, 2023
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Agricultural Law, Presenter
Southern University Law Center 2022 End of Year Continuing Legal Education
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
December 16-17, 2022
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Estate Planning Essentials for Heirs Property Owners, Presenter
Forward 2023 National Heirs Property Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
December 1-3, 2022
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Social and Economic Justice in the Black Belt: Opportunities and Challenges for Transformation, Panelist
80th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference
Tuskegee, Alabama
November 13-15, 2022
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Heirs Property & Implications for Funding & Financial Access, Moderator
CDFIs and Regenerative Agriculture, Panelist
9th Conservation Finance Roundtable
Durham, North Carolina
November 1-3, 2022
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Rising from the Depths of Slavery: Legacies of Cultural Expression, Food, Music & Tourism, Mistress of Ceremony
Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture Symposium
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 28-29, 2022
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Land Advocacy Fellowship Session , Panelist​
National Young Farmers Coalition Session
Virtual
October 18, 2022
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Heirs Property & the USDA Heirs Property Relending Program, Presenter
American Community Gardening Association 43rd Annual Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 6-9, 2022
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Estate Planning, Heirs Property & USDA Heirs Property Relending Program, Presenter
11th Annual Louisiana Small Farmer Conference
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
September 21-23, 2022
Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land
Al Roker Entertainment
2023​
Weediquette (Season 1, Episode 3 - The War on Weed)
Vice TV
March 15, 2016​​​​