Madison program empowers communities of color in agriculture

Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery “There's a lot of healing that needs to be done in the agricultural space,” said Ruthanna Hutton-Okpalaeke, who leads the Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture (SHBA) program for Urban Triage. “Part of Urban Triage’s mission is to allow people of color the opportunity to be exposed to agriculture in a safe, positive way.” Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery

The program is a 12-week leadership workshop designed to “empower and inspire” agricultural experiences in local Black communities. In 2021, there were 10 families signed up for the program. This year, there are 16 families involved. The majority of families in the program are Black and include parents and children, kids and grandparents, and childless adults interested in agriculture.Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery

The program is funded through grants and community donations. The goal is for Black communities in Madison to come together to heal relationships with the land and learn about agriculture. Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery

“We center Black experiences, we discuss Black people's history and agriculture, while acknowledging the role white supremacy and racism has had on people of color and agriculture,” Hutton-Okpalaeke said. Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery

Classes are taught by Hutton-Okpalaeke and her SHBA co-worker Meagan Baldwin. The programming also includes guest speakers such as local master gardeners and folks from some of Urban Triage’s partners like UW-Extension, Rooted-Troy Gardens and the Farley Center. Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery

Hutton-Okpalaeke said representation is an important part of the Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture's mission. “When you don'tAgricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery see anyone or know anyone in a field that you're unfamiliar with, you might have a hard time seeing yourself in that same field,” she added. “So we're really hoping to create a reference point for individuals to see themselves in agriculture.”Agricultural machine,gearbox,agricultural gearbox,agricultural reducer，Lithium battery