Dive into the hidden legacy of Black American farming with author Natalie Baszile as she unpacks the complex relationship between African Americans and the land that has shaped our nation. This eye-opening conversation takes us through her journey creating "Queen Sugar" – the acclaimed novel adapted by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey – and her anthology "We Are Each Other's Harvest," which brings to life the true stories of Black farmers across American history.

Baszile reveals how her ancestral connections to farming (her great-great-grandfather acquired 600 acres in Alabama after the Civil War) subtly influenced her writing path, creating a personal connection to stories that needed telling. With remarkable insight, she illuminates the systematic discrimination that led to Black farmers losing approximately 90% of their land throughout the 20th century, while simultaneously celebrating the resilience, innovation, and determination that have characterized the Black farming experience.

Basile's nuanced approach to a painful history makes this conversation particularly valuable. Rather than focusing primarily on injustice, she articulates how modern BIPOC farmers are recalibrating relationships with land, transforming narratives from "get away from the land" to understanding land as a valuable community asset. Through the Black Harvest Fund she established, Basile puts action behind her words, supporting organizations doing vital work for BIPOC people in agriculture.

This episode challenges us to broaden our understanding of American agricultural history beyond the stereotypical image of the white male farmer. As Basile powerfully states, "We have to broaden our understanding of who participated in this American experiment." Want to better understand the whole history of American farming and support a more equitable agricultural future? Start by exploring Natalie Basile's powerful books and consider contributing to initiatives that support Black farmers reclaiming their agrarian heritage.

Learn More About Natalie:

https://nataliebaszile.com/

https://nataliebaszile.com/black-harvest-fund

@nataliebaszile Instagram

We Are Each Other's Harvest

Kara's Offerings & Services:

https://www.landfoodlife.com/

https://www.balanceyourgut.com/

Join us for a compelling conversation with Florence Reed, the visionary founder of Sustainable Harvest International, as we tackle the urgent global challenges of deforestation and agricultural sustainability. Discover the transformative power of climate-smart subsistence farming practices in Central America and the significant role tropical forests play in our climate's health. Florence shares heartwarming stories from her work with rural farmers and a glimpse into her documentary "Roots of Renewal," which beautifully captures the magic of turning degraded lands into flourishing agroforestry systems that allow these farmers to thrive.

We'll unpack the short-sighted gains of traditional methods, like slash-and-burn, that lead to devastating land degradation and biodiversity loss, trapping farmers in cycles of poverty. Florence and I discuss how Sustainable Harvest International is breaking this cycle through an innovative multi-year program that empowers farming families with low-cost sustainable practices that promote soil health, improve nutrition, and reduce the dependency on harmful agrochemicals.

Learn how SHI's sustainable farming cohort programs are reshaping gender dynamics and empowering women to take a leading role in agricultural and financial decision-making. We also cover the critical role listeners can play in this impactful mission, ensuring a healthier and more equitable world for future generations.

Resources:

Learn about Kara's Land Food Life Community Cleanse & Reset 28-day program that starts January 2nd, 2025 https://www.landfoodlife.com/cleanse

Visit Sustainable Harvest International's website https://www.sustainableharvest.org/

Watch the Roots of Renewal documentary for free www.rootsofrenewal.info

Learn about Kara Kroeger and her holistic nutrition and agroecology education services https://www.landfoodlife.com/

Did you know birds navigate more habitats than almost any other species and are key indicators of planetary and human health? Join us on the Land Food Life podcast with Michael McGraw, an ecology and wildlife biologist, as he shares his journey from herpetology and ornithology to regenerative agriculture. Michael discusses conducting wildlife surveys and how grazing practices affect bird populations, biodiversity, and the nutrient density of our food.

This episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical insights. Michael talks about his passion for birdwatching, which was sparked during Timber Rattlesnake observation in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and the use of tools like the Merlin app for bird identification. He explores bird song identification, its insights into ecosystems, and its therapeutic effects on human well-being.

Michael also discusses the documentary Roots So Deep by Peter Byck, in which he appears, highlighting adaptive multi-paddock grazing and its ecological benefits. We examine how mindful grazing impacts ranchers, soil health, and bird diversity. We conclude with an emphasis on increasing BIPOC agricultural land ownership to create a diverse, just, and equitable food system.

Resources:
https://princetonhydro.com/staff/michael-mcgraw/
https://rootssodeep.org/