In late March I attended the Black Farmers Community Meeting & Video Showing Dr. Claude AndersonOn BLACK Powernomics.
The meeting was held at a local church, New Light For New Life Church Of God & was headed by Rev. Dr. Floyd D. Harris, Jr. Guest speakers included Will Scott,
President of African-American Farmers of California, Ken Grimes an agronomist from the USDA,
& Rev. Dr. Floyd D. Harris, Jr.
The meeting started with a viewing of video featuring Dr.
Claude Anderson & his work on Powernomics, a
book he wrote on empowering African-Americans economically, through ownership
& through developing industries.
 |
| Will Scott |
After the viewing we had the privilege of hearing from Will
Scott, who's past TEDxFruitvale talk was phenomenal. He spoke about the dwindling numbers of Black
Farmers in California, & how we are down to less than 500! He spoke of the need for more
African-Americans in farming which is a billion dollar industry.
Will Scott was followed by Ken Grimes of the USDA. He spoke of his youth on a coffee farm &
his experience in agriculture. He spoke of the opportunities available through
the USDA to get involved in farming, & also of the programs that are
available to teach farming skills.
Rev. Dr. Floyd D. Harris, Jr. spoke about the billions of
dollars in agriculture & how African-Americans are partaking of such a tiny
portion of it. He spoke of the grants
& opportunities to get into farming & his desire to encourage youth to
enter this lucrative industry. He then
told of the 22 acres the church would be breaking ground on soon in
collaboration with the African-American Farmers of California, to teach youth
agriculture.
The meeting was followed by a lively discussion about the opportunities in farming, the 22 acres to be planted, & the opportunities to sell the produce to the community. My personal motivation in attending was to see if I could learn of any African-American farmers that might have a Community Supported Agriculture program from which I could purchase produce. Upon finding out just how few black farmers are left, it was no surprise to me why I had so much trouble in my search. The meeting concluded with free seeds being given out to all who attended & a tractor demonstration.
The meeting was followed by a lively discussion about the opportunities in farming, the 22 acres to be planted, & the opportunities to sell the produce to the community. My personal motivation in attending was to see if I could learn of any African-American farmers that might have a Community Supported Agriculture program from which I could purchase produce. Upon finding out just how few black farmers are left, it was no surprise to me why I had so much trouble in my search. The meeting concluded with free seeds being given out to all who attended & a tractor demonstration.
 |
| Tractor Demonstration |
As of last Saturday, the Black Farmers community meeting
group, with the leadership of Rev. Dr. Floyd D. Harris, Jr. broke ground on the
22 acres & began planting seedlings.
The youth were taught how to plant the seedlings & rode on
tractors. I thoroughly enjoyed the Black
Farmers community meeting & am so excited & proud of what the group is
accomplishing. I enjoyed this opportunity to learn about farming in my area
& in California & look forward to connecting again with this group in
the future.
Rev. Harris Teaching African American Youth How To Drive A Farm Tractor & Become A Farmer Pt. 1
