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News

A New Wave of Black Farmers Gets Growing

7/31/2020

 
Violence and resulting protests this summer have many organizations seeking to understand our role in bringing about the equitable world we feel so far from right now. 
As part of seeking this understanding and change, MCA staff have been reading, and strongly recommend, "Farming While Black" by Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm in upstate NY. This is one of a series of posts about racial justice with resources we've found helpful from this book and elsewhere. 
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Soul Fire Farm and their work to train BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) farmers was covered in this CNN article. The piece shares a startling statistic:

"There were only 45,500 Black farmers — roughly 1.3% of all US farmers — in the United States in 2017 according to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture. A century ago that figure was much, much higher. In 1920, the USDA counted 925,708 Black farmers, amounting to about 14% of all farmers at the time. Over the years, Black farmers have been driven off their land and faced discrimination from the Department of Agriculture.— roughly 1.3% of all US farmers — in the United States in 2017 according to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture. A century ago that figure was much, much higher. In 1920, the USDA counted 925,708 Black farmers, amounting to about 14% of all farmers at the time. Over the years, Black farmers have been driven off their land and faced discrimination from the Department of Agriculture."

In fact, as mentioned in a previous post, the largest civil suit award in history - $2 billion went to Black farmers who for decades lost land, opportunities and other resources at the hands of the USDA as part of the 'Pigford' case. 
"Farming While Black" highlights farming  by BIPOC folks as "cultural reclamation," and a way to help ease what many call food deserts, but Ms. Penniman calls "Food Apartheid" - to highlight the fact that healthy food outlets are not placed by the wind or other natural system, but by the choices of people in power. Knock on effects of access to healthy food include stemming the tide of health disparities in communities of color. 

It all starts by securing land. We are proud to have connected over 500 acres of land with new and expanding farmers in Montgomery County. Farmers are looking for anywhere from 1-50 acres. To learn more about leasing or renting land visit our Land Link program.  

Regenerative Ag and CSAs Have Roots in Black History

7/2/2020

 
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Dr. George Washington Carver - his legacy is worth far more than peanuts. (Library of Congress)
At MCA we have been a organization focused on assisting farmers equitably but protests against structural racism have put a fine point on the ways that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) have lost out on opportunities across our society, including opportunities to own land and farm. The discrimination from the USDA against Black farmers was so well documented that in 1998 they had to settle two class action lawsuits with black farmers to the tune of  $2 Billion.  To learn more, staff is reading "Farming While Black" - an acclaimed book by Leah Penniman, Co-Owner of Soul Fire Farm outside Albany, NY. We want to not just recommend this book but share things we've learned. This is the first in a series of posts on "Farming While Black".
Each February, during Black History Month, the life of George Washington Carver is highlighted. Dr. Carter was a scientist who showed the world the many uses for the humble peanut. What does not get taught in these history lessons is why Dr. Carter was so focused on this one legume. Peanuts, like other members of the pea family fix nitrogen in the soil to make it available to other plants. In the early 1900s, cotton had stripped southern soil completely of nutrients. and rotating crops with peanuts could put fertility back into the soil for sharecroppers in the South. So, patenting 101 uses for the peanut was not a sign of a man obsessed with one crop, but the father of regenerative agriculture being savvy about the economics of crop rotation.

CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), another modern pillar of the local food movement was popularized  in America by another Tuskegee University Alum, Dr. Booker T Whatley. During his stint in the Korean War he operated a 55 acre hydroponic farm to feed the troops. Once back home, he set up “clientele membership clubs” akin to the modern subscription style CSA. He saw these clubs not as just ways to feed people but also let them see farms up close - the beginnings of the Agrotourism movement. He said, "We're bringing up whole generations in this country today that don't even know how collards or chickens are raised. So some parents see a farm visit as a wholesome and pleasant educational experience for their youngsters . . . one that the entire family can share. The average middle-class city person likes a chance to get out on a farm. It's a form of entertainment, and those folks can save money while they're having a good time.”  
Dr. Whatley suggested that these farms offering clubs should be no more than 40 miles away from population centers to keep connections with club members. This of course reminds us of the Ag Reserve where residents can really know their farmer and participate in modern CSA programs (find your farmer here). 
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​Read more on Dr. Whatley in this great article here.

Modern farming owes a lot to BIPOC. We will continue to share what we are learning in hopes we can move toward a more equitable food system. Thanks for reading along. 

Toward Understanding and Change: MCA Reacts to National Protests

6/6/2020

 
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Update: MCA staff is taking time to learn more about our place in the important work toward equality. To this end we are reading "Farming While Black" and sharing some insights. See those posts here.

The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of large scale industrial systems, their lack of resiliency and their susceptibility to serious disruption in a specific point in the food production, processing and delivery chain with far reaching negative effects. A system of smaller scale, local and accessible growers, processors and related businesses can step up to the plate and be more responsive and resilient, keeping people safer and less vulnerable to industrial scale disruptions, while providing needed food and community building. Resources for farmers and consumers here.

Also laid bare this past week, again and again and again, is the deep wound of systemic inequality across our country as witnessed by the brutal violence and often ignored mistreatment of people of color every single day. We are reminded that Dr. King warned against the "appalling silence of the good people.” It is our hope that all will listen, then use our collective voices and positive actions to uplift others.

We can be part of badly needed change.
 We've compiled a number of resources for folks to help both understand what is going on and think about what can be done in this moment to make a difference. If you have a resource to share you think belongs here  let us know - info@mocoalliance.org. 
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Why is this happening? 
Op-Ed from Kareem Abdul Jabarr "Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge."

A heartfelt explanation from Trevor Noah of the Daily Show (who grew up under Apartheid)

For those who don't yet feel comfortable with "Black Lives Matter", 9 explanations on why "All Lives Matter" is not a helpful thing to say

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Now What? 

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"Actually we're just getting started." New Yorker Daily Cartoon June 4 2020. By Victor Varnado
Becoming an ally means more than being "not racist," the brutality we are witnessing and the change needed to change entrenched systems calls us to be "anti-racist" and we are sharing here a document of resources to help.  

Once you've educated yourself, you can educate others. It can be difficult to take a stand to challenge a family member or co-worker's racist "jokes" or gently question a friend's insensitive Halloween costume but this is how systems change. Teaching Tolerance has resources for how to handle these interactions. 
For our part at this time, MCA is stepping back to let the voices of others come to fore, but we will continue to advance a strong healthy local food system, clean air and clean water for ALL our regions residents. We are dedicated to working together to promote real systemic change that will achieve equity. 

Coronavirus Resources for Farmers and Eaters

3/25/2020

 
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The virus is moving quickly, the landscape changes day to day - but also moving fast are folks ready to pitch in and help. MCA staff has been talking to local civic and farmer organizations, food relief organizations and consumers throughout the county. Below is an evolving list of resources for those who produce and consume food in MoCo and beyond. As a farmer from Moon Flower Farm in Frederick Co. put it on a call- #LocalistheNewNormal. If you were waiting on a time to turn to your local farmer, that time is now.  An item to add? - Kristina@mocoalliance.org
Update: MCA is launching Labor Link Montgomery to connect farmers and folks who are out of work. If you are a farmer needing help get in touch at info@mocoalliance.org
For Consumers
  • Future Harvest, the Maryland Farmers Market Assoc. and others have created a map to help folks find local farms.  Be sure to call first. 
  • Wondering how to begin approaching farms - local College Prof Christina Rai has you covered with this post. 
  • What is available on local farms this time of year? Strawberries are around the corner but roots and greens are the bulk of offerings in early spring. 
  • Each year Community Supported Ag (CSA) shares are an opportunity to support your farmer and get local food each week. CSAs are about to open and you can support your farmer now. Farms are thinking about ways to have drive-thru pickups, delivery and other methods to limit the spread of germs. You can find CSAs to join here - check in with them about what they are offering this year as things are rapidly changing.
  • The Food Council has gathered small local food businesses that offer pickup and delivery. 
  • Food is actually not a big source of virus spread but we still need to be careful. Here are the FAQs on food safety for consumers.
Consumers in Need
The Food Council Website has a good round up of food resources for students, seniors and others.
For Farmers and Food Producers
  • The USDA has a dedicated site for Coronavirus questions and financial resources for farmers. Similarly, Farm Aid has gathered resources as well. 
  • Farmers have always been essential businesses but with the stay-at-home order farm workers may need to show permits to travel to work. Thanks to the MD Farm Bureau and Future Harvest for providing these templates that can be customized for your farm. Download: Farm Contractor and Farm Worker .doc files here. 
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  • MCA has undertaken a survey of local farms to see what we can do to help farms and how farms can help residents - particularly low income and hungry folks. Farmers should take the survey here, unless you share your info results are anonymous. A summary of responses so far. 
  • UMD Extension Plant Science Food Safety expert Carol Allen has started a newsletter for MD farmers, really great safety info, be sure to subscribe at the bottom. The most recent issue is about managing farmworkers in the time of COVID19. If you need to reach Carol with direct questions - callen12@umd.edu

  • Safety procedures for small scale producers from the MD Market Assoc. and Future Harvest.

  • On the topic of safety- reusable packaging has always been the goal of on-farm sales and farmers markets but with the outbreak disposable packaging is necessary. Michael Protas of One Acre farm in Dickerson has stepped up to coordinate an order of biodegradable bags for local farmers. Learn more here. 
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  • The Maryland Horse Council has resources for horse farms.
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  • American Farmland Trust is opening a Farmer Relief Fund program- learn more here.​
  • The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is relaxing the loan making process to help farmers in need. 
  •  Confusion remains over SBA Assistance for Farmers
For Potential Volunteers: For those who are healthy and interested in volunteering, please find information below on opportunities with some of our partner organizations.
  • Montgomery County Volunteer Center
  • Capital Area Food Bank
  • Manna Food Center 
  • KIND: Kids in Need Distributors
  • Community Food Rescue 
  • #GiveaMeal to a friend, neighbor, or stranger in need through Geppetto Catering.
  • Montgomery County Volunteer Center: Guidance for Non-Clinical Volunteers

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Steady - Your Friends at MCA

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ABOUT US
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Montgomery Countryside Alliance
P.O Box 24, Poolesville, MD  20837
301-461-9831  •  ​info@mocoalliance.org
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MCA is proud to announce that we have been recognized for a third time as one of the best small charities in the D.C. region by Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. A panel of 110 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, and peer non-profit organizations evaluated 270 applications.

​MCA is known as an effective and innovative non-profit whose efforts to preserve and promote Montgomery County’s nationally recognized 93,000 acre Ag Reserve have brought increased public and governmental support of local food production and farmland and open space preservation. Most importantly, MCA’s efforts are putting more farmers on the ground and keeping them there.
COPYRIGHT © MONTGOMERY COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE 2008