The Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference

The Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners (B.U.G.S.) held their 10th national conference, hosting over 300 attendees from across the country. While mostly adults attended the workshops, there were several area youth groups that performed and individual teens participated in workshops that covering topics from “George Washington Carver: Field to Table-New Soul Food” to “National Black Food and Justice Alliance: Building Sovereignty”. The conversations were engaging, passionate and driven to action-oriented outcomes. There were several area farmers/urban gardeners at the conference, with whom I plan to make connections, and see how our teens and staff may engage and learn from these farmers and educators. With the growth in urban gardens and school gardens, there’s an opportunity for Farm & Wilderness to support these efforts and develop leaders among our young people to carry the work forward and build networks and access.