Honoring Juneteenth: Support Black-Owned Farms in Our Region
Honoring Juneteenth: Support Black-Owned Farms in our Region
Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day to reflect on our shared history, recognize the ongoing struggle for racial justice, and celebrate Black culture, resilience, and joy.
It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the history of Black farmers in the United States. In the early 20th century, Black farmers made up around 14% of all U.S. farmers. Through decades of systemic discrimination, land loss, and lack of access to federal resources, that number has dropped to less than 2% today, closer to 1% by some estimates. Despite these challenges, Black farmers continue to lead powerful movements rooted in food justice, community healing, and land reclamation.
At the Davis Food Co-op, we honor Juneteenth by uplifting the work of local Black-owned farms and collectives. These farmers are growing more than food. They’re growing equity, resilience, and community power.
Ujamaa Farmer Collective
A Black-led nonprofit co-founded by Nelson Hawkins, Nathaniel Brown, and Keith Hudson, dedicated to increasing land access and resources for Black, Indigenous, and other farmers of color in the Sacramento region. Embracing cooperative economics, the collective pools land, infrastructure, and knowledge, fostering agroecological practices and shared wealth. Following successful advocacy, including securing $1.25 million in state funding, Ujamaa now holds 22 acres in Woodland where it offers affordable land leases, training, and a collaborative model empowering historically underserved farmers to grow food for their communities with long-term economic and land equity.
We Grow Urban Farm
Founded by agroecologist and farmer equity advocate Nelson Hawkins, is a West Sacramento farm using regenerative practices to grow food, create jobs, and increase access in underserved communities. Nelson also co-founded the Ujamaa Farmer Collective and serves on the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force, advocating for land access and equity for Black farmers. There are many ways to support their work and get involved. They are always in need of land (within Sacramento area), and tools and equipment (new or used)
*Monetary contributions can be offered at:
Cash App: $WeGrowUrbanFarm or Venmo: @wegrowfarms
Yisrael Farms
A Sacramento-based urban farm led by Judith and Chanowk Yisrael, who began with just a half‑acre in 2011 and have since expanded to multiple sites. Rooted in their own journey toward healthier eating, they transformed their backyard into a thriving hub. Growing food, raising bees and chickens, and developing fertile soil, all while empowering their community through farm tours, youth mentorship (Project G.O.O.D and Urban Roots Garden Builds), herbal and culinary workshops, and a farm‑to‑skin product line including soaps and balms . With a mission to “transform the hood for G.O.O.D. (Growing Our Own Destiny),” they use regenerative, low‑till methods, composting, and food forest techniques to address food apartheid, poverty, and gentrification—helping thousands reconnect with nutritious food, wellness, and the land.
Learn more about Yisrael Farms here.
Brown Sugar Farm
Founded by Nathaniel Brown in Citrus Heights, CA, is a vibrant Black-owned urban farm that grows organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers — and even unconventional crops like Caribbean red peppers and stinging nettles, fertilized with his signature brown sugar–based brew. Operating on about half an acre, Nathaniel is committed to food equity, regularly selling at farmers markets to bring fresh, culturally relevant produce to underserved communities. As a founding member of the Ujamaa Farmer Collective alongside Nelson Hawkins and Keith Hudson, he’s actively contributing to cooperative land access and regenerative farming infrastructure for BIPOC farmers in the region.
This Juneteenth, and every day, we encourage our community to celebrate Black freedom by actively supporting the Black farmers who nourish our region with care, tradition, and purpose.