February Newsletter
Dear Food System Partners and Allies:
In our February newsletter in celebration of Black History Month we would like to take a moment to educate our network on the history of Black farmers. The NWI Food Council recognizes the incredible contributions in the agriculture industry that have been made by Black people and those incredible feats should be celebrated during this month and beyond. Over the course of a century, 90% of Black-owned farmland has been lost which amounts to nearly $326 billion dollars.
The earliest Black farming community in Indiana is Lyles Station which is in the Southwest part of the state which was settled in the 1800s and once home to thousands of Black farmers. Since 1920, Black farmers have been unable to own more than 1% of land due to racial discrimination from federal, state, local, and county-level agencies. Additional injustices such as violence and intimidation have also been a factor in the decline of Black farmers. Policymaking has also driven to disenfranchise Black and minority-owned farms, such as Alien Land Laws which specifically targeted Asians. Alien Land Laws were written into state constitutions in the 1920s and upheld until 2018 in the state of Florida, that banned Asians from owning real property.
Race-based policymaking and discriminatory lending practices from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also been a factor that has worked to systematically exclude Black farmers from access to land and other opportunities. Due to these injustices, Black farmers have continued to decline across the country for generations. According to the USDA census, there are over 2 million farms operating in the United States where 98% are White owned. In the state of Indiana, while over 90,000 farms are White owned, only 134 are Black owned.
The NWI Food Council works toward a sustainable, just, and equitable food system for all in Northwestern Indiana and works to support farmers in a multitude of ways. By calling out the atrocities of American history we give power to the stories that are untold, unknown, unheard, untellable, and we reinforce the power of stories that are lived and told. Racism in the food system not only impacts consumers but producers as well. As we reflect on ways to push for a more equitable food system; we must understand what it looks like to be effective allies, prevent further decline of Black farmers and land loss.
To learn more and to support Black farmers in the State of Indiana, please find more information below.
References
Number of Farms in the US
For Decades the USDA was Black Farmers Worst Enemy, Here's How it Became and Ally
Growing Places Indy: Know Your Black Farmer
"Trying to Hang on Til I'm Gone" How a Black Hoosier Farm Family Persists
Florida was the Last State to Remove the Alien Land Law
Fannie Lou Hamer and Farming as Activism
Black Farmers Call for Justice from the USDA
Black Farmers Lost $326 Bil Worth of Land in the 20th Century
In Solidarity
Dominique Edwards
Co-Founder and Executive Board Member
NWI Food Council
Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub
It’s hard to believe it’s February with all of the warmer weather we’ve been having, but here we are. At the start of the month, we observed the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox (also known as Imbolc in Celtic traditions). The days are getting longer, and thanks to the warmer days, we’re starting to see some of the early signs of spring (has anyone else noticed the geese flying north or the daffodils pushing through the earth?). As the days get longer, our farmers are looking ahead to the spring planting season. Most have already done their crop planning for the year, sorted their seeds, and are starting to plant seeds indoors to transplant later this year. The tempo might be slower in the winter months, but farming is a year round job!
What spring and summer fruits and vegetables are you most looking forward to this year? For me, it’s usually around this time of year that I start to look forward to the fresh crunch of raw asparagus. It just tastes like spring– and how I imagine the color green to taste. :) Until then, I’m still relishing the abundance of winter storage crops like root vegetables, winter squash, and evercrisp apples, alongside plenty of fresh greens. Lately, I’ve been enjoying lots of soups and salads- which both allow winter veggies to shine. Check out this potato soup recipe from Perkins’ Good Earth Farm this weekend, and serve it alongside a green salad with winter sweet carrots, hakurei turnips, microgreens, and some thinly sliced apples. You’re in for a simple and satisfying meal, with ingredients that can all be sourced locally- even in February!
Cheers!
Virginia Pleasant
Co-Executive Director
NWI Food Council
Pursuing Food Justice
In this month’s intro blog, our Founding Board Member Dominique Edwards talked about some of the many barriers that have been placed in front of black farmers and other farmers of color. These barriers are significant, and in some cases come from the very institutions that were designed to help farmers. We also know that black farmers and food systems leaders have shown incredible resilience in spite of these challenges and have made monumental contributions to food and farming over the years. Today, black farmers and food advocates continue to lead the fight for food justice, and a new generation of leaders is beginning to emerge. We at the NWI Food Council want to take a moment to celebrate these leaders, past and present.
From Fannie Lou Hamer (Founder of the Freedom Farm Cooperative) and George Washington Carver (developed crop rotation systems that improved soil health), to Booker T Whatley (developed a farm membership model that CSAs use today), Shirley Sherrod (founder of New Communities Land Trust), and the Black Panther Party (pioneered free breakfast feeding programs), scores of black historical figures have shaped our food and farming systems, while advocating for increased land and food access. To learn more about some of these historical figures, you can check out this blog from Slow Food USA and this list from the Davis Food Co-Op. If you’re looking for a longer read, we recommend checking out some of the food justice books on these lists from the Farmers Market Coalition and Good Reads.
Today, leaders like Karen Washington (community organizer, activist, and founder of Rise and Root Farm), Malik Yakini (mentor and director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Erika Allen (social change artist and founder of the Urban Grower Collective in Chicago), and Leah Penniman (founder of Soul Fire Farm) are fighting food apartheid and carrying the torch that was lit by ancestors working to actualize their visions of a more just food future.
Here in Northwest Indiana, we and many of our partners are working to achieve this vision as well, by educating youth, improving food access, and cultivating the next generation of farmers. FAITH Farms and Orchards is working on many initiatives to educate and improve food access, the Gary Food Council is leading youth training programs, Walker Street Community Garden is improving food access in Michigan City, and dozens of black farmers are building a legacy for future generations. We encourage you to connect with local organizations and black farmers this month and throughout the year as we all fight for a more just food future!
Policy Updates
National:
As of January 19, at least 23 states and the District of Columbia have introduced policies to advance free, healthy school meals for all students! That’s nearly half of all states, representing 52% of all students under 18. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government allowed schools to provide free meals to all children as a temporary emergency measure. Last legislative cycle, at least 14 states recognized the beneficial impacts of universal meals and introduced legislation to continue serving free meals after federal support ended in June 2022. Indiana isn't on this list yet, but visit the National Farm to School Network to learn more.
Farm Bill:
For food and agriculture policy lovers, Farm Bill season is around the corner! We’ll be keeping an eye out for opportunities to amplify the voices of the communities we serve.
In the meantime, the USDA currently has an open survey for farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. (Closes March 31) Share your vital feedback with USDA by taking a nationwide survey! The survey is completely anonymous, will take about 10 minutes, and is available in multiple languages.
Food System Updates in the Region
As usual, our partners are doing wonderful work! Here are some exciting updates:
Founding board member Dominique Edwards was recently selected to be a 2023 Woman on the Rise by Society of Innovators and Leadership Institute at PNW! She was also interviewed by WNIT for the Agriculture Episode of their Women in Leadership series.
Our friends at FAITH Farms were recently awarded a Health Issues and Challenges Grant from the Indiana Department of Health for programming to address Cardiovascular Health. This grant will complement their growing work in the food as medicine space!
We're excited to announce that we were recently awarded a Health Issues and Challenges Grant by the Indiana Department of Health to develop programming to address food insecurity among new moms in collaboration with the Nurse Family Partnership Program and Purdue's Nutrition Education Program. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months!
Upcoming Events
Permaculture Design Course
Date & Time: Multiple, March-June
Location: In Person
We are pleased to announce that Rhonda Baird, Christine Maloney, and guest speakers are partnering with NWI Permaculture Meetup, the NWI Food Council, and Purdue Extension to provide NW Indiana's first Permaculture Design Course!
Virtual PSA Training for Market Farmers
Date & Time: April 28 and June 16
Location: Virtual
The cost of this training is covered by the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice. Participants will receive their certificate of completion in the mail.
Tufts Nutrition Data Symposium
Date: March 8-10
Location: Hybrid
The 16th annual Tufts Nutrition Data Symposium (TNDS) presents: SUSTAINABILITY NOW!
Action-Oriented Solutions for Food Systems, Nutrition, and Diet. This year, the symposium is a HYDRID symposium and FREE FOR ALL TO ATTEND. In doing so, we hope to address the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nutrition science and public health science and research with the broadest collection of domestic and international participants.
21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge
Date: April 3-23
Location: Virtual
Food Systems New England presents its annual 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Each year, thousands of individuals and hundreds of officially participating organizations join in a shared journey of learning and charting a course of action to dismantle racism in our food system and our world.
Indiana Small Farms Conference
Date & Time: March 2-3
Location: Danville, IN
Since 2013, the Indiana Small Farm Conference has been the premier annual event for Indiana’s small- and diversified-farm community — helping them experience continuing education and enjoy farmer-to-farmer networking.
Unity Gardens Growing Summit
Date & Time: March 11, 9-4:30 ET
Location: South Bend, IN
Join our friends at Unity Gardens for the annual Growing Summit on March 11, with twenty free classes for kids and adults!
Grant Opportunities
Check out opportunities for funding food systems programs:
Lake County Master Gardeners "Help Others Grow" - The purpose of the Lake County Master Gardeners Association’s (LCMGA) Grant Program is to promote the objectives of the organization by providing grants from $200 to $600 within the borders of Lake County, Indiana. Awards are dependent on funds available and the number of applicants during any given award year. Due April 1st, 2023.
Rodale Institute BIPOC Farmer Micro Grants - Rodale Institute offers a micro-grant program specifically targeted to support projects and consulting for small-scale BIPOC* farmers, whether you’re organic, transitioning to organic, or an aspiring organic farmer. Due February 28, 2023.
Frontera Farmer Foundation Grant - Frontera Farmer Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $12,000 to small and mid-size farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. Due March 13, 2023.
USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovation Program - The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. Due March 27, 2023.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program - The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and provides mandatory funds for which supports education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Due April 27, 2023.
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