Karen Washington’s (Rise & Root Farm) enthusiasm for growing food for our communities is infectious. And even though Karen is doing full time farming now, community gardens are still important. They help create urban oases. We were almost completely unfamiliar with all the information available on urban Black farms. Hopefully, Resources for Sustaining Black Food Sovereignty will help fill the gap. We our listeners know how to keep our money circulating in our community and with Black businesses. Make sure you bookmark Black Farmer’s Index, to find a farmer to support in your area. ANd for those of you who prefer vegan options, check out Liberation Farm and VegFest.
Feeling the farming itch?
Do you have the farming itch? As Karen mentioned, resources are available to help people get started producing sustainable food. You may want to check out Soul Fire Farm an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm and training center. They are dedicated to “uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.”
During the podcast Karen speaks about the scarcity of land available for Black Farmers, particularly in the northeastern regions of the country. There are organizations working on this issue as well. The Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC) is one such organization. Their goal is to “is to return land to Indigenous, Black, refugee, migrant, and diasporic land stewards of color as a means of advancing food sovereignty, healing, cultural celebration, and community self-determination.”
There’s also the Black Farmer Fund which nurtures black wealth development by investing in Black agricultural systems. Their focus is in the northeastern part of the country.
Traditional farmer’s organizations
We previously highlighted the fight Black farmers were having with the US Dept of Agriculture. The Department’s racist policies on loans were squeezing them out of their livelihoods. Their battle is decades old now. The Biden administration released some money to them. In all likelihood they’ll face new hurdles under the present administration. But you can follow them at National Black Farmers Association.
No matter where our listeners live, we hope these resources for sustaining Black food sovereignty will help you find good healthy foods. If you are in an urban area, don’t forget to look for your local community gardens!
04/07/2025 revised 04/11/2025