My six-year-old son Billy and I recently had the privilege to lend a hand to “raise” a garden at Kennedy High School in Richmond, California. We arrived mid-morning at a southern exposed site nestled near the school’s track. The work area swarmed with students, school staff, parents, and Urban Tilth, the organizing non-profit who produced the day as part of its project, 2 Farms in 2 Days.
Not too little to help
The intention behind this weekend event aims to produce real, productive farms that, according the organization’s website, “grow food that directly changes the food …

“You can’t cannot determine the ancestors you inherit, but you can completely determine the kind of ancestor you’ll be.” – Grown in Detroit
Take a look at how Detroit teen moms are reclaiming abandoned neighborhoods and creating farms to feed their children in the film, “Grown in Detroit”, by independent Dutch filmmakers Mascha & Manfred Poppenk.

Trailer ‘Grown in Detroit’ from Mascha Poppenk on Vimeo.
To learn more, visit the film website: http://grownindetroit.tv

As you know, my nephew Antione got married just a few months ago, and he and his new wife Christine departed for a honeymoon in Hawaii right after the ceremony. After checking out their vacation videos at the recent family Thanksgiving gathering, it was clear and admirable to me how the two embraced the local, wild environment as a big part of their new connection to one another as husband and wife. The following video shares the good humor and ecology they experienced while visiting the Kahua Institute in Haiku, …

flickr.com/prettywarstl: a nice plate!
Thanksgiving in my family is more than the delicious turkey, pies, and cobblers my sister Delane makes; it is also a celebration of food that preserves the memories and experiences of those who have passed on, symbolized through the remaking of family recipes…Cherrie’s dressing, Ella mae’s Pea Salad…the matriarchs of my family pulled greens from their garden for dinner, they plucked the feathers of fresh foul, and cleaned the fish they caught in local lakes for Friday fish fries.
Our family also has gratitude for the new generation …

Okay…I consistently hear black folks say they don’t like country music, but this modern-hip trio just might make you rethink your position! I know, a music post might seem slightly off topic at first glance, but this song, and many others like it, actually refer to a relationship African-Americans had with the land that was also connected to the ways we related to our food, and ultimately to one another.
“…ride the mule and ‘cut the fool’ and love begin’ all over…”
Enjoy!

Thanks Obafemi Origunwa for passing on the link!

Outdoor Afro just received a note from Arthur Bronson, President of the International Federation of Black Bass Anglers (IFBBA) to let us know what his organization has been frying up these days. The IFBBA’s members are comprised primarily of people of color and its membership and outreach spans the globe. The organization also targets and mentors urban kids of color to participate in various fishing derbies and clinics.
Arthur Bronson and IFBBA members Ed Hasse and Reynaldo Anderson
Mr. Bronson says that fishing for African Americans is not new, “we have …

Photo Courtesy of Jason Cartwright

Someone at the family barbecue yesterday made a pitcher of Summer Peach Sangria, which was a big hit with the adults. Here is the recipe:
1 bottle of white wine
½ Bottle of Cointreau or Peach Schnapps
¼ Cup of sugar
½ Liter of ginger ale
2 mixed cups of peaches (fresh or frozen), mango, and orange chuncks
Mix wine, liqueur, and sugar together until sugar dissolves. Chill for 1 hour. Add ginger ale and fruit just before serving over ice.
Please drink responsibly and/or make a tamer Virgin Summer Sangria by …

Memorial Day weekend is considered by some the official camping kickoff, but more Americans are likely to head to their own backyard or local park to enjoy a barbecue with friends or family.
My family had a delightful barbecue this afternoon and I had my fill of succulent salads, yummy drinks, and tender meat. But among the hot links, beef ribs, and chicken, I thought fish would have been a nice addition to the grill, for both waistline preservation, and because it’s just plain delicious when done right.
In between bites, I …