Hi Market Friends,

In honor of Juneteenth, commemorating the final application of the Emancipation Proclamation, we would like to honor some of the Black farmers and inventors whose work in agriculture, health and nutrition education, inventions for food preservation and distribution laid the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices. Many of these innovators and their contributions have been overlooked historically, and WFM is proud to be part of the cumulative ideas, knowledge, dedication, and contributions of the following persons.

George Washington Carver created multiple uses for peanut products; researched and promoted plants that fix nitrogen into soil; crop rotation for soil health; composting for soil health.

Fannie Lou Hamer founded the Freedom Farm Cooperative in 1969, purchasing prime land in the Mississippi Delta to empower poor black farmers and sharecroppers who for generations had been at the mercy of white landowners. The Farm grew to more than 640 acres, demonstrating potential for prosperity in the Black farming community under collective growth.

Booker T. Whatley introduced the first CSAs to the US in the 1960s, decades before the previously thought of ‘first CSAs’ in 1986. Because Black farmers were continually overlooked for grants and loans for their farms, they didn’t have the money that they needed in order to keep their farms. Whatley encouraged the idea of PYO farms and ‘clientele membership clubs’, which are pretty similar to the CSAs that we see today. This allowed Black communities to financially support their local Black farmers and they would get produce from those farms in return.

Henry Blair received his patents for seed planters (one for corn, and the other for cotton) in the 1830s. We know that he is the first black person to have his patent info indicate that he was black, but we know that he is the second black person to receive a US patent.

Flemmie Pansy Kittrell designed curricula around nutrition and home economics; her work led to the formation of the Head Start Program.

Karen Washington became involved in agricultural advocacy in the late 1990s when she and other activists successfully fought to save New York City’s community gardens from development.

Washington went on to help found Farm School NYC, a nonprofit organization offering urban agriculture training, and Black Urban Growers, a volunteer organization that helps create and support networks of Black urban and rural gardeners and farmers.

Leah Penniman is an American farmer, educator, author, and food sovereignty activist.  Co-owner of Soul Fire Farm, NY, whose flagship program is the Black Latinx Farmers Immersion, a 50-hour course to train beginner farmers. By 2018, 500 individuals had taken the course.

Ray’s Family Farm returns to the Market this week, so welcome them back, and enjoy the fresh produce, bread, pastries, maple and honey products, frozen lemonade and organic raw juices, and beautiful handmade crafts that are being offered. 

See you Thursday! The WFM Management Team