SANKOFA GREEN IN BLACK:
Honoring Our Past as We Move United Towards the Future
Detroit, Michigan, October 17-19, 2014
Detroit, MI – The 2014 Black Farmers and Urban Growers (BUGs) Conference will be hosted in Detroit, connecting growers, businesses, advocates, activists, students and organizations across the country. This conference is designed to unite, strengthen and nurture the health and well being of Black America and the environment as a whole. This year’s theme – “Sankofa Green In Black: Honoring Our Past as We Move United Towards the Future” focuses on bridging the gap between generations and changing the perception of farming in our communities by uplifting the narrative of this lifework being a sustaining force for our people and our planet. The word “Sankofa” represents the need to reflect on the past to build a successful future.
This theme will be woven throughout the conference as attendees explore issues of race, class, commerce, health, production, nutrition and growing techniques through panel discussions, workshops, cultural presentations and conversations. Resources will exchange, ideas will pollinate and solutions will be born.
According to Jerry Hebron, founder of the Oakland Community Market Garden and the Executive Director of the Northend Christian CDC, “The 5th Annual Black Farmers & Urban Growers Conference is coming to Detroit to lift up the work being done in our great city. Our workshops are designed for valuable take-aways no matter where one works. There is time for networking and, of course, tours showcasing our city. We are excited to have black growers from all over the world come together in a united effort to support each other’s work as we move towards sovereignty.”
The fifth annual conference will be held at Western International High School, 1500 Scotten Street in Detroit, MI. The conference moves from New York to a new location for the first time since the conference’s inception.
A fundraising reception on Friday, October 17th from 6 – 9 PM at Western International High School will feature LaDonna Redmond, the dynamic founder of Campaign for Food Justice Now. The dinner will feature the world class cuisine of Chef Phil Jones of Jones Urban Foods. The fundraising dinner will kick off the conference offering attendees an opportunity to meet keynote speakers and network with cohorts from across the country.
Complimentary breakfast at Western International High School on October 18th will offer another networking opportunity before a full day of sessions, global panel featuring representatives from the Kenyan and South African farmers of the US – Africa farmer exchange, Toronto, New York, Mississippi and Michigan.
This year the conference is offering the Growing Green Children’s Conference for youth under the age of 13 years old. The Growing Green Children’s Conference will be held simultaneously with the Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference. There will be activities, games, hands-on demonstrations, nutrition education in a safe, educationally friendly environment. Continental breakfast, snacks and a family style lunch will be provided for all students
We expect strong attendance for this year’s Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference. The cost for the conference is only $45.00 as a registered participant, you will have full access to the opening and closing ceremonies, all BUGs workshops, the Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference People’s Movement Assembly, and a complimentary continental breakfast.
Sponsors and partners include Black Urban Growers (BUGs), The Greening of Detroit, the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Northend Christian CDC, the Farm Service Agency of the USDA, Uprooting Racism and Planting Justice, Earthworks, Oakland Avenue Community and Market Garden, Keep Growing Detroit, SouthEast Michigan Producers Association, Detroit Food Policy Council, Small Ville Learning Farms, Occupy Yourself Agriculture Academy – Jones and Company, LLC, Jones Urban Foods, Doers Consulting, Love Earth Herbal, Food Plus, Unicorn Unlimited, Inc. GMAC, Fresh Cut, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, and Ohana Gardens Bed and Breakfast.
Scholarships are available for Detroit residents. Attendees are able to register at the door. For more information or to register please visit: www.blackurbangrowers.org.
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