Tractor Beam Literary Magazine Receives Fast Company Innovation Honor

Launched in 2025, Tractor Beam functions as a modern farmer’s almanac, prioritizing hopeful, long-term visions over narratives of collapse. The publication utilizes original fiction, visual art, and expert commentary to explore the intersection of food systems, soil health, and climate resilience. Co-founders and editors Lana Z Porter and Claire Gustavson emphasize that the project aims to bridge the gap between dreamers and those implementing practical environmental change, arguing that systemic transformation requires cultural imagination as much as scientific data.

Since its inception, the magazine has curated over 50 works from emerging and established contributors, including guest editors such as Jeff VanderMeer and Leah Thomas. The publication’s latest recognition coincides with the upcoming release of its "Hell or High" issue, which will be celebrated on September 22 at Honey’s in Brooklyn. By centering the concept of soilpunk, the editorial team seeks to frame the earth not as a passive resource, but as the active foundation for future societal growth.