When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, Sylvester Friend and his wife, Sabrina had already started a small garden on their Kennesaw, Ga., property, to be more self-sufficient. After noticing the benefits — from produce quality to cost savings — the pair started looking into expanding their garden into a farm.
After moving to Indiana to be closer to family, the Friends opened Prairie Hills Farm in Selma, Ind., where the first-generation farmers have been growing and selling organic produce and honey, as well as chicken and goat for three years. Their farm is among the 1% of farms in America that are Black-owned and operated.
On Thursday, Sylvester Friend will help kick off “40 Acres and a Broken Promise,” a three-part series of conversations about the impact of farming and its historic and future role in the African American community. He will be joined by Adrian Lipscombe, chef and founder of the 40 Acres and a Mule Project, and Valerie Grim, professor of African American and African diaspora studies at Indiana University, at 6 p.m. at the Living Room Theater, 745 E. 9th St. Tickets start at $50.
“Indiana is a state known for agriculture, but 90% of our consumed food is from outside of the state,” Friend said. “This is a gap that we wouldn’t expect. I want people to know that growing food is not a challenge — yes, there is work involved — but it’s not as difficult as it may seem. Food is vitally important, and knowing what’s in our food is vitally important.”
The other two dates for the Spring 2024 Speakers Forum, organized by the Patachou Foundation, have yet to be announced. Proceeds benefit the foundation, which works to combat hunger and food deserts throughout Indianapolis.
With “40 Acres and a Broken Promise,” Lipscombe will shed light on the history of farming in the Black community and the barriers Black farmers face in securing land.
“One percent of farmers in the United States identify as Black,” Lipscombe said in a press release. “I witnessed a pressing need not only to safeguard the rich history and legacy of Black farmers but also to empower and cultivate Black farmers in the present. It’s crucial to acknowledge the pivotal role of land access.”
Prairie Hills Farm began as a self-funded endeavor for the Friends. Sylvester Friend said he has not faced any specific barriers to starting and operating the farm, but has heard many stories on social media of Black farmers struggling to get loans and losing land.
According to the Legal Defense Fund, discrimination in loan allocations has resulted in a massive decrease in Black farmers in America. In 1920, Black farmers were estimated to operate about one-seventh — or 14% — of all operational farms in the United States. Between 1920 to 1997, Legal Defense Fund estimates that Black farmers lost roughly $326 billion overall in lost income and land value.
Beyond the income individuals and families can make from farming, Friend said operating a farm is a way to grow stronger communities.
“Everyone should grow something,” Friend said. “Organize with a partner or other people in your community. Individuals in the community could grow one or two varieties of produce, and come together to support each other.”
For more information on the Patachou Foundation’s 2024 Speakers Forum, click here.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Reach her at breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @BreannaNCooper.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
