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Jifunza's story

Hi! I am Dr. J, the lady with a white hat in the picture. As a holistic family medical physician, I made a commitment to the well-being of my patients and the earth. I have since come out of the exam room into the lives of my patients and their families as an organic farmer. By growing healing foods, I assist in preventing and intervening in disease, holistically.

Over the past six years, the Healthy Food Hub has brought healthy and affordable foods to communities with limited year-round food access. We have been educating and training the next generation of black farmers. Thanks to our Beginning Farmer Rancher Award and the Rotating Apprenticeship Farmer Training Pembroke to Chicago (RAFT-PC), more than 20 young men and women have enrolled in the RAFT-PC program to pursue a business in agriculture. In the picture, our trainees and I are excited about our first distribution of CSA shares of leafy greens!

Our RAFT-PC trainees have provided greens from the historic black farming community of Pembroke, Illinois to the communities of South Shore, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin on the south and west sides of Chicago.

Our 500 CSA members are invested in building a local food economy. We are currently working to create a community-based, member-owned cooperative from Pembroke to Kankakee. By connecting growers and eaters, we are committed to transforming urban and rural communities through education, entrepreneurship, and access to healthy, affordable local food.



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About Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living (BOC)

Industry: Agriculture
Years in operation: New Business
Website: blackoakscenter.org


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