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Reconnecting with the natural world, ancestral foodways, and history can be particularly complex and challenging for members of the African Diaspora, as well as for communities whose cultures remain underrepresented in the dominant American environmental and agricultural discourse. But, this is changing fast, thanks to the work of dedicated educators, activists, and those working the land!
To address these challenges, I co-designed and taught an innovative class with an exceptional teaching team. The course focused on reconnecting, restoring, and repairing (reparations) relationships to land, food, and culture, emphasizing the experiences and contributions of Black farming communities in California. This internship-based class provided students with immersive experiences, visiting Black-owned and operated farms across Northern California and engaging in hands-on learning at the UC Davis Student Farm. Students delved into farming and gardening practices with African crops while reading works by leaders of the Afro-regenerative farming movement, such as Monica M. White and Leah Penniman. The class also featured guest lectures and wisdom shared by elders who have been instrumental in Black food and justice movements, the fight for reparations, and the preservation of tradition and ancestry. Together, these experiences offered a holistic exploration of farming, cultural resilience, and social justice, grounding students in a rich legacy of Black agricultural innovation and activism, while celebrating the diverse cultures of every student's heritage. We shared stories, seeds, recipes, and visions for what a just food system could look like. |