Farming Values
“Their legacy is still very much alive remains an indisputable fact. This legacy exists in the soil itself and in the memories of their children and grandchildren who can tell a story that is rarely told…a story that grew out of the land.”
-Charlene Gilbert
“Homecoming The Story of African-American Farmers”
Honoring the interconnectedness on the land….
Brown Girl Farms strives to center growing practices that reflect those interconnections. African Indigenous Agroecology practices are found throughout our farm.
Low Till
Constantly turning the soil has detrimental effects on the microbial life and abundance of biodiversity that lives within your soil. We strive to lessen the use of heavy machinery like rototillers and mowers and instead allow decomposers like worms to loosen up and aerate the soil. We use hand tools like shovels, garden hoes, and digging forks to help cultivate and tend to the soil.
Polyculture and Intercropping
Rather than plant uniform rows of the same crops, we plant multiple crops in the same area, utilizing the symbiotic relationship plants have with one another.
Marigolds are planted along with tomatoes to deter garden pests from the fruits, beans and other legumes are planted with kale and other leafy greens to fix nitrogen into the soil and support plant structure and growth, and sprays of pollinator-friendly flowers and plants are nestled within various fruits and vegetables.
Heritage Crops
Honoring our blended family heritages and cultures, our farm values growing several African-American heritage crops including collard greens, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, yams, green beans, onions, turnip, greens, radish greens, and melons.
Bees
Although not always talked about or uplifted, beekeeping has deep roots and history within the black community and we feel passionate about uplifting black and brown beekeeping. Beekeeping is a practice and tradition that was first recorded by Ancient Egyptians who kept bees and recorded beekeeping life through hieroglyphics. Here at the farm we partner with Happy Organics to manage our hive and provide education and nourishment to the community. Our pollinator field features a diverse range of pollinator friendly flowers and plants for the bees to enjoy!
Chickens
Chickens are a special part of our life here on the farm. We tend to a flock of chickens who provide us with beautiful farm fresh eggs as well as help us manage our produce scraps by feasting on them and turning them into manure! Our chickens also provide us moments of laughter and comfort!
Seed Saving
Here at the farm collecting and saving seeds from various crops is a intentional and meditative ancient process for which we have much gratitude. By saving seeds we are able to reduce the amount of seed we purchase for the farm as well as select seeds from plants whose traits we favor. We love creating seed packets as a offering to community to carry on the power of growing nourishment.