We are in a moment where African farmers and gardeners, many who have farmed in their own countries and have been growing in community garden plots here, didn’t believe or know that they could be farming on a larger-scale. Now they are organizing and obtaining practical and financial training to aid in finding land and developing business models that will let them farm collectively in a community (e.g. cooperatives).

We want to make sure that landowners KNOW about these skilled farmers and the work they are doing to provide food to their communities and beyond. They are seeking training in order to farm as a business and want to develop relationships with landowners in order to obtain land access. We also want the wider community to learn about these groups of farmers and think about how they can support African local food producers where they live.

We know that this is a community-building process, and this series offers one way to start. We encourage people to join us for the entire series in order to build strong relationships with other participants! We are planning four sessions: register for the first one below!

May 17th, 5:30-7 pm: Webinar with African Community Leaders in the upper Midwest will talk about the values and dreams of their farming communities. This is a chance to start learning about African Immigrant Farmers and where they are gathering.

• Online– open to everyone, upper Midwest focus.
• Individual presentations from regional farming community leaders.
• Small groups for geographic regions where landowners and community members can talk directly with organizers in their area.