Accessibility to high quality grocers & produce is a privilege not afforded to most. Food deserts are a real thing. Nutrition and health disparities within low income communities as well as Black and Brown communities stem from a lack of access to healthy foods. In my recent move to Georgia, I’ve become more acquainted to the state’s rich agricultural heritage, particularly within the Black community. Georgia’s Black farmers represent a multitude of generations commonly seeking to produce high quality food that’s affordable and accessible to all. Today, I’ll be highlighting Black owned farms in Georgia that grow high quality produce and goods for the communities they serve and beyond.
Patchwork City Farms
Photo Credit: www.patchworkcityfarms.com
This Atlanta gem is independently owned by first-generation farmer Jamila Norman. Patchwork City Farms is known for it’s innovation in farm-to-table & sustainable agricultural practices within city limits.
Spanning 1.2 acres in Atlanta’s Oakland City, PCF offers organic fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and herbs. PCF also provides Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to area residents. This system allows consumers to connect with farmers to buy local, seasonal food by subscribing to harvest.
The farm’s seasonal crops are sold at nearby farmer’s markets. Norman herself takes part in community activities that teach locals the importance of growing our own food. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patchwork City Farms holds pop-up farmers markets to ensure everyone has access to high quality produce. Pop-ups are held on Fridays, 2 p.m to 5 p.m. Call 404-430-8821 for weekly pop-up details & updates as participation and weather conditions change often.
Atlanta Harvest is a Black family owned farm located in Jonesboro, GA. Atlanta Harvest serves as the family’s 2nd location. Their 1st farm, Local Lands, is a 40+ acre farm located in Dublin, GA. Both farms provide produce that is naturally and certified organically grown at each location. Ethical animal farming is also a key component of both locations.
Atlanta Harvest opened up in 2017 after the family realized most of their customers were traveling to their 1st location from the greater metro Atlanta area. This location boasts an organic plant & produce nursery, farmer’s market, host field trips, gardening workshops and various events to keep the community engaged on the importance of ethical sustainability, health and growing our own food.
The family has been steadfast on providing the city of Atlanta with high-quality, farm fresh produce while creating opportunities for economic development in distressed areas of the city. If you’re not able to head to either farm in person, you can subscribe to Fresh Farm Boxes directly from their site. Due to the current health pandemic, they’ve started delivering fresh produce boxes and goods as far as Gwinnett County (North Georgia) to broaden their availability to more of Georgia. It was recently announced that the Atlanta Harvest will soon be moving from Jonesboro to Ellenwood. Make sure you sign up for their newsletter for updates on their move and more.
Located in Lithonia, Georgia. Semente Farm is a small black owned farm located on land owned by the Peterson/Stephens Family. The land was once cultivated by Claude Tedford Petersen, a master grower from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Semente Farm promotes healthy living through the production of their vegetables, medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, herbal & edible flowers.
Semente prides itself on its use of ecologically sustainable practices, which conserve their natural resources, build rich soil, and promote a vibrant ecosystem for generations to come.
Photo Credit: Center for Civic Innovation
Semente’s owner Whitney Jaye is a farmer, herbalist, and mother who finds deep purpose in being in service to the land and community that supports her. Whitney has done a variety of food systems work and organizing, from farming and agricultural education, to farmers market management, and cooperative development. She currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON).
Photo Credit: Semente Farm Instagram
Semente Farm owner Brandon Stephens is a farmer, father, and entrepreneur who finds his roots in growing. His earliest land memories were of working in the garden with his grandfather Claude Tedford Petersen. He has an extensive background in vermiculture, hydroponics and aquaponics, and owns and manages DecaturPonics (aquaponics) and several other businesses. Brandon is originally from Decatur, Georgia. His family can be traced back in the area for several generations. These deep roots are his main reason for being so invested in growing food for the communities he loves.
Listed below are more Black owned farms located in the Peach State:
Swanson Family Farm (Hampton, GA)
Southeastern African-American Farmers Organic Network (Atlanta, GA)
The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm (Royston, GA)SL
Miller City Farm (Fairburn, GA)
Nature’s Candy Farm (Atlanta, GA)
Noble Honey Company (Atlanta, GA)
Restoration Estates Farms (Haddock, GA)S
Tea Brew Farm (Central Georgia)
The Green Toad Hemp Farm (Metter, GA)
Truly Living Well (Atlanta, GA)
Black owned farms make up less than 2 percent of all farms in the United States. A recent report highlighted that fact that Black farmers lost 80 percent of their farmland from 1910 to 2007. This was was primarily due to lack of access to loans or insurance needed to sustain their businesses, a result of structural racism from banks & the USDA. They need our help now more than ever and we can use all the fresh organic and affordable produce and goods to boost our immune health during this global health pandemic. I implore you to research Black-owned farms in your own state. This is one of the many things we can do to start closing the food gap in Black and Brown communities across this nation.
Featured image credit: Atlanta Harvest
